The True Story of Jesse James

The True Story of Jesse James
Theatrical release poster
Directed byNicholas Ray
Screenplay byWalter Newman
Based ona screenplay by
Nunnally Johnson
Produced byHerbert B. Swope, Jr.
StarringRobert Wagner
Jeffrey Hunter
Hope Lange
Agnes Moorehead
Alan Hale Jr.
CinematographyJoseph MacDonald
Edited byRobert L. Simpson
Music byLeigh Harline
Color processColor by DeLuxe
Production
company
20th Century Fox
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release date
  • March 22, 1957 (1957-03-22)
Running time
92 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1,585,000
Box office$1,500,000 (US rentals)

The True Story of Jesse James is a 1957 American Western drama film adapted from Henry King's 1939 film Jesse James, which was only loosely based on James' life. It was directed by Nicholas Ray, with Robert Wagner portraying Jesse James and Jeffrey Hunter starring as Frank James. Filming took place during 1955. Originally titled The James Brothers in the United Kingdom, the film focused on the relationship between the two James brothers during the last 18 years of Jesse James' life.