7.9 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
'The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford' delves into the private life and public exploits of the United States' most notorious outlaw. As the charismatic and unpredictable Jesse James plans his next great robbery, he wages war on his enemies, who are trying to collect the reward money – and the glory – riding on his capture. But the greatest threat to his life may ultimately come from those he trusts the most.
Starring: Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Sam Shepard, Mary-Louise Parker, Paul Schneider (IV)Drama | 100% |
Crime | 58% |
Period | 50% |
Biography | 26% |
Western | 23% |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English, English SDH, French, Spanish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 0.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
I can't figure it out...you wanna be like me, or you wanna be me?
The steady rise of the Western back into the embracing arms of moviegoers both old and young is
a welcome phenomena in the recent history of Hollywood. The genre now produces a steady
stream of upper-echelon films that hearken back to the roots of both its (and cinema's) glory
days when John Wayne, Gary Cooper, and Gene Autry graced the screen. The new wave of
Western retains the old-time charm and rough-and-tumble attitude of the best of the classics,
but does so with a welcome influx of new filming techniques, special effects, and sound design.
In the midst of this revival is The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert
Ford, an epic picture to be sure, though not necessarily in the traditional sense of the term.
It is an epic of characterization, of solemnity, and of fine filmmaking. Certainly not a traditional
Western, the film rises above the genre, set during and looking as part of the genre, but at the
same time eschewing many of the contrivances, clichés, and traditional structure of the typical
Western
film. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is more than a genre
picture, the material simply nestled into a particular time period, which lends to the film a certain
look and feel that makes it, in a way, a Western, at least on the surface. The film is really a
character study, a look at
hero worship from the perspective of two individuals on either side of it, about a man's struggle to
find peace, and another's search for his place in the world, a world that he imagines one way and
finds to be a whole other.
It's all fun and games until an outlaw gets shot.
The 160-minute 1080p Blu-ray presentation of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford comes cramped on a single-layer BD-25 disc. The image often looks good at a glance, and some parts of it are truly stunning, thanks in large part to the lush cinematography that graces the entire film. Nevertheless, there are a few problems, some of them excusable. For example, a deliberately weakened image accompanies the narration, the result almost looking like the corners are smothered in cooking oil. Figures are outlined in a blue glow, and details are completely washed out. Most of the movie sports a normal appearance, one that is often accompanied by a lush, golden hue; outdoor shots in particular often feature stunning color reproduction. Even interior shots feature a noticeable golden hue. Still, close-up shots reveal some smoothness that washes away part of the details on faces, but there are times when the disc features a level of detail that borders on the marvelous, including the texture of a snake and a cluster of tall-bladed grass that stands out so clearly that they are liable to be counted with the disc on pause. Some edge enhancement is to be found, though how much of a distraction it will be will likely vary from viewer to viewer. Black levels do manage to hold up nicely. This is not a horrendous transfer by any stretch of the imagination, saved primarily by the gorgeous cinematography and shooting locations. The Blu-ray is adequate, but could have been so much more.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford rides onto Blu-ray with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the lack of a lossless option both disheartening yet not surprising considering the film is presented on a BD-25 disc from Warner Brothers. The basics, for example dialogue reproduction, are solid, but the finer details of the soundtrack feel lost. Leaves rustle and wind blows, the sound more a jumble rather than any clear and defined presence. There are plenty of good atmospherics effects, such as the chirping of insects and the singing of birds, that play out well enough through the front speakers, but with little presence in the rear channels. The track does open up when the score streams through the soundstage. It features a good, but not great, presence, with a suitable level of bass and rear-channel accompaniment. As the film moves on, the soundtrack becomes more subtle, primarily dialogue-driven and center-channel heavy but nevertheless retaining a palpable presence across the soundstage. A scene in chapter 18 offers a slight blowing wind that adds a nice atmosphere to the scene, in addition to a few good directional effects that, while not dramatic, add some welcome attention to detail to the presentation. The sound design is very good, and could have enjoyed a nice boost from a lossless mix, but all things considered, the track is fine, just not what it could have been.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford features only one supplement. The Assassination of Jesse James: Death of an Outlaw (480p, 31:48) is a strong but not exceptional supplement that features a selection of historians and cast and crew recounting the life and exploits of Jesse James. No other features are included, not even a trailer.
Though a poor performer at the box office, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is nevertheless a triumph of filmmaking, a beautifully-crafted and thought-provoking picture that develops slowly but surely, taking full advantage of each frame to guarantee an amalgamation of talents and qualities that make it a fascinating and unique motion picture experience. This isn't a typical Western, the story merely playing around the genre rather than being completely confined by it. The film offers Oscar-nominated acting and cinematography, and a nomination-worthy score, story, and direction as well. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is a must-watch film, particularly by film aficionados, and despite the shortcomings of this Blu-ray presentation, it is the best way to view it at home. This disc features a somewhat flawed, but ultimately watchable and mostly enjoyable, high definition presentation, a suitable soundtrack, and a disappointing bonus section. Still, the film, as always, is the most important part of the package, and based on its merits alone, this disc is deserving of a spot in every distinguished Blu-ray collection.
2008
2005
1969
1967
Extended Director's Cut
1984
Fox Studio Classics
1939
1967
2004-2006
2019
Remastered
2002
2007
1962
1990
1993
2010
2010
2012
2007
Per un Pugno di Dollari
1964
1995