Review of Jesse James (1939) by Randy R — 04 Apr 2012

Tyrone Power plays the title character of the film Jesse James, and Henry Fonda plays Frank James (older brother Jesse James). When I started watching this film, I was really enthusiastic about it being color movie (probably 1939 movies were given this grand privilege, like Gone With The Wind and The Wizard Of Oz etc) and moreover Henry Fonda (one of my top favorite actor) playing the minor role. It did entertain me, to enjoy set-design of Old-West of Midland, the locations; yet there is something very important missing. As the movie is based upon real legend of the West, the notorious outlaw Jesse James, but the historical background of the film is set totally opposite the reality, which is distracting.

The opening scene is all that impressed me, including Henry Fonda's take on four of the men, forcing his mother to sell her land for 2 dollars.