Jesse James [HD]

TERRIFIC MOVIE
For sheer gusto, excitement and action, it's hard to beat this classic western which unfolds the legendary saga of the notorious James boys. Tyrone is sympathetic, dashing and utterly charming as Jesse who lives on his mother's farm with his slow, deliberate, dependable brother Frank (Fonda). Director Henry King gives the film his special brand of zest and the acting of both Brian Donlevy and Jane Darwell is superb. More Hollywood than real-life for sure, nevertheless Power proved he could really act in this one; before he was just a beautiful matinee idol for the women to swoon over. Here he appealed to the menfolk as well as he successfully captured the good and evil which existed in one of America's most enigmatic men; Fonda was so good as brother Frank that Fox cast in the sequel RETURN OF FRANK JAMES; this film made the not-so-young (34) Henry Fonda a star. The Technicolor is magnificent!!

A CLASSIC REMINDS US THAT THE WESTERN ONCE RULED HOLLYWOOD!
There was no surpise when the recent publication of the TOP 50 STARS list put HENRY FONDA in the top ten, because Henry Fonda is certainly one of the pantheon of Hollywood actors that defined the term "star." JESSE JAMES offers a delightful opportunity to go back to 1939 when the star many of us know as a grand old man was a breathtakingly handsome romantic lead. In this film Fonda has the second lead, playing Frank James, America's most famous romantic outlaw, with the characteristic understated warmth and dignity that would enoble his whole career. The real star of JESSE JAMES is Tyrone Power, sadly neglected by the TOP 50 LIST, but an actor of exceptional charm, charisma and talent as we can see from his performance in the title role. The two actors achieve a balance in their different styles that not only colours and enriches the story but creates a beautiful context of the love between two brothers. JESSE JAMES marked the beginning of a long collaboration...

A Big Technicolor Letdown - No Restoration
I was expecting rich, vibrant Fox Technicolor, on a par with "Drums Along the Mohawk", and I could have dealt with some flicker and with modest print damage, but right from the opening scene, it was clear that this film had not been restored, that the Technicolor strips were damaged, and that the colors were off (and almost non-existent at times). As a result, I found it difficult to concentrate on the film; I kept thinking of how bad it looked and how much better it might have looked had the money been put into some sort of restoration. I've grown to have so much confidence in these Fox classics, and this is my first major letdown, so I'm hoping "The Return of Frank James" will turn out alright (though I was so disappointed with "Jesse" that I've toyed with the idea of returning "Frank").

Anyhow, sadly, I have to advise against getting this unless you don't care about the picture quality --- if PQ matters to you, you are bound to be disappointed.

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