Great Missouri Raid, The (1951)

[bunniefuu]

[woman narrating]

This is the story

of Frank and Jesse James

and the men who rode with them.

They were desperate men,

the most notorious outlaws

of all time.

It's hard for me to say this

because I knew them,

knew them so well.

The James boys,

they were my sons.

Outlaws?

They were outlaws,

but they didn't start that way.

Frank...

Frank, my oldest son.

A great mind turned to crime,

an unhappy man who could never

escape from himself.

Jesse, Jesse James,

my youngest son,

who fell to the b*llet

of one of his own kind.

His kind because,

sick for revenge,

he chose to be an outlaw.

Cole Younger,

Franks closest friend,

once so staunch and steady.

He would have been a lawyer,

perhaps even a statesman,

if he hadn't become

a bank robber.

Jim Younger,

ravaged with bitterness

and disillusionment,

sustained by hate.

Bob Younger, a boy

who followed his older brothers

out of blind worship.

Wrong?

Yes, they were wrong.

But remember, they lived

in a time of violence,

in an age of strife,

men dedicated to what was

to become a lost cause.

They started as soldiers

in a w*r.

You called

the w*r between the states

the Civil w*r,

but where we lived

in western Missouri,

it was worse than w*r.

It was neighbor

against neighbor

with blazing torch and lash

and the hangman's rope.

This is your last chance.

Where's that stepson

of yours?

I told you, I don't know.

Talk!

Talk, or up you go.

I don't know.

Pull him up.

- [man] Sergeant Trowbridge?

- Hold it.

Look what we found.

Well, if it isn't

baby brother Jesse.

[laughs]

Where's Frank, Jesse?

I said where's Frank?

Well, since you don't

feel like talking,

maybe you'd like

to watch a little.

Pull him up.

Little more.

Pull him up

a little more.

Get off this farm,

or I'll blow you

to kingdom come.

Put that g*n down, you fool.

I said get off this farm.

All right, ma'am,

but we'll be back.

Mount up, men.

- Stand where you are.

- [shotgun fires]

Come on.

Get him up

against that tree.

This'll make you

change your mind about talkin'.

No!

- No!

- Talk!

No!

[g*nshots]

Over there.

I'm sorry I didn't

get here sooner, Ma.

We'll get even, Jess.

We'll get even.

Frank, he's all cut up.

Take him into the house.

No, Ma.

I know you want him

to stay here on the farm,

but he's k*lled a bluecoat now.

They'll be back after him.

He's gotta take to the brush

with the rest of us.

- Come on.

- But he can't go like

this, Frank.

I gotta, Ma.

But if they hurt

you or Pa...

Come on, Jess.

- Take care, Frank.

- I will, Ma.

Don't worry.

- [whooping]

- [g*nshots]

According to this,

the federal government

grants amnesty for all,

including irregular soldiers

and partisans.

Doesn't say anything here

about guerrilla fighters.

Partisans, guerrillas,

the same thing.

- It's amnesty for all.

- That's right.

All we have to do is ride

into Independence and surrender

to the provost marshal.

Of course, we gotta swear

we won't take up arms

against the federal government.

That's over.

The w*r is ended.

Sure. We lost.

I don't know.

These Yanks are riding

pretty high hereabouts,

foreclosing on farms 'cause

folks can't pay the taxes.

How can they when

they haven't raised a crop

in two years,

ever since Order Number 11,

when the Kansas men

burned all the crops

in the fields?

I don't like this idea

of surrendering.

In fact, I don't like anything

that involves the Union Army.

We stay out,

they'll hunt us down.

We ride in,

they'll hang us.

All right,

we'll play it safe.

One of us will ride in,

find out if this really

applies to us.

Which one of us

will ride in?

- I will.

- What's the matter with me?

No, Jess, I'll go.

Don't take any chances,

Frank.

[no audible dialogue]

Major, there's a man outside

who wants to talk to you

about a parole.

All right, send him in.

He's a bushwhacker.

Send him in.

Yes, sir.

- What's your name?

- Frank James.

[pen scratching paper]

Your regiment?

I was a partisan.

- Bushwhacker.

- I rode with Quantrill.

I think you know that.

Yes, I know that.

I also know you have

a brother named Jesse.

Where's he?

That's why I'm here,

to see about a parole

for all of us.

How many are there?

Eight.

What's their names?

Never mind.

Doesn't make any difference.

So you want to surrender

for all of 'em,

is that it?

The proclamation said

all partisans...

I know what

the proclamation said!

Bring in your friends

and they'll be given paroles,

after you take

the oath of allegiance.

We expect to do that.

Brill!

Brill!

Yes, sir?

The man that just left here

was Frank James,

one of the worst

of that g*ng.

My brother was k*lled

on the James farm,

m*rder*d in cold blood.

You mean

the Samuels farm, sir.

James, Samuels,

what's the difference?

It's all the same.

His mother married

that old horse doctor, Samuels,

but they're her sons.

Frank and Jesse

k*lled my brother,

and now they've got the brass

to come to me expecting amnesty.

What about the regulations, sir?

I know the regulations

in this district.

If they come in,

I've got to give 'em a parole.

Ifthey come in.

Sergeant,

how about you

and some of the boys

getting yourselves

a few drinks?

Sure, Major.

Thanks.

And after the drinks?

Do I have to draw you

a picture?

[no audible dialogue]

- Bushwhackers!

- We're coming in

to surrender.

[whinnies]

He's gonna be

all right, Frank.

He's hurt bad, Cole.

They got Arch too.

Go out like that,

after the w*r is over...

It isn't over yet.

Not for us.

Whoa!

Mrs. Samuels.

- Where's Jesse?

- Over yonder.

Jesse?

Jesse!

Hello, Ma.

Jesse, you're hurt.

You're hurt real bad.

- I'll be all right.

- No, you won't. Not here.

Ma, you shouldn't

have come.

- The bluecoats...

- Nobody followed me.

- Put him in the wagon.

- Can't.

- They posted us dead or alive.

- I know.

I'm not taking him home.

We're going to Cousin Martha's

in Nebraska.

He's gonna need a lot of care,

and he can't get it here.

Easy.

Where are you

fixing to go, Frank?

We got

some unfinished business.

None of that now,

you hear me?

Ma, they k*lled Arch Clements,

and they did this to Jess.

I won't have it, you understand?

The w*r is over, and there'll

be no more killin'.

Now you hide out here

in the brush till things

clear up a bit.

Pa and some of the people

are writing to the governor.

Cole, you're more levelheaded

than the others.

Don't evade me.

And stay out of trouble.

Don't go meeting it halfway.

Very well, ma'am.

We'll give it a try.

All right, Ma.

Hello.

Hello.

Say, you're Bee.

You remember.

I remember a little girl

with pigtails.

Who went to live

with the Yankees.

I'm glad

you're feeling better.

- How long have I been here?

- Three weeks.

And this is the first time

I've known what's what?

Is it? You talked to me

several times.

You even held my hand once.

Only once?

[chuckles]

Now I know

you're feeling better.

The wound in your shoulder

took a long time healing.

Ma still here?

Yes. I'll call her.

Wait.

Nothing.

[cattle lowing]

It's getting kind of warm,

isn't it?

It sure is.

- General here's

gonna be all right.

- Good.

- Here you are.

- Oh, no, not another lemonade.

- I thought you liked it.

- I hate the stuff.

But keep bringing it.

Jesse, you stand a little news?

The doctor says it's all right

for you to travel.

I thought he said

it'd be another week.

He wasn't counting on

the kind of nursing you got.

We'll start as soon

as I get our things together.

Your ma's looking for you, Bee.

Think she wants a little help

with her packing.

So you're going back?

Kearney's our home too.

We only moved up here

because of the w*r.

Bee, I'm glad

you're going home.

So am I.

[chattering]

- Hiya, Cole.

- Hi.

What happened to you?

You look like you've

been in a fight.

- They just burned my barn.

- Do you know

who started the fire?

Sure, I do. A bluecoat.

I took a shot at him.

They better not

try it around here.

I won't just sh**t at'em.

What's this

about bluecoats?

They're having a lot of fun.

Day before yesterday

they burned down

Jim Cummings's place.

Today they burned down

my barn.

Sorry to hear that, Cole.

They'll be lighting matches

around here before long.

If Trowbridge

can't get us one way,

he's gonna get us another.

His men are sure c*ck

than ever.

Let 'em strut.

Keep out of their way.

How can you keep

out of their way if

they burn your place down?

Look, Frank, how long

do we gotta waste our time

mending fences?

Jess, I'd like to fight 'em

as much as you would.

I grant you they're

looking for trouble.

I've no doubt

they set the fires.

Maybe there'll

be more fires.

But we've got

to hold ourselves in.

So long as we can.

[train approaching]

[bell clanging]

[clanging continues]

- Jesse.

- Bee.

- So you've come home.

- Yes.

- I'm glad.

- So am I.

- Where are your folks?

- They'll come along in a week.

I'm gonna stay with friends

until they get here.

All grown up, eh?

Oh, Frank.

She's still got the same

pretty blue eyes.

- [chuckling]

Thank you.

- Buggy's over here.

We're gonna drive you

to Kearney in style.

How's the place

look to you?

Nothing's changed.

[Jesse]

Up you go.

- Sure is pretty, ain't she?

- Sure is.

Where do you live, miss?

We're off duty tonight.

- Hold it, Jesse!

- I can handle this.

I know, I know.

Come on.

Get Bee out of here.

Fifth Wisconsin Cavalry, eh?

Yeah, sure.

What was your outfit?

Missouri.

You boys sure gave us

a shellacking at Westport.

Now, wait a minute

You won at Westport.

You're Frank James.

- Sure, I am,

but I was at Westport.

- So was I.

You were with

Quantrill's bushwhackers.

- What of it?

- Jesse, no.

Stop it, Jess.

Trowbridge wants trouble.

You're playing into his hands.

Now calm down.

All right,

now move on, soldier.

Not till I give

the bushwhacker's girl

a little squeeze.

[grunts]

[blows landing]

[groans]

All right, Jess, come on.

Go on.

Make your report

to Trowbridge.

Get your g*n.

All right,

get on your horses

and get moving.

- I'm sorry, Bee, but...

- There'll be trouble over this.

Can't be helped.

Why didn't Frank

come home with you, Jesse?

He had a couple of things

to do in town.

Your supper's ready.

No, thanks, Ma.

[man imitating birdcall]

Frank.

- What's the matter?

- Nothing.

You don't fool me.

What is it?

Nothing, Ma, honest.

Everything's fine.

Then why the whip-poor-will

whistling?

All right.

They're after us, Jess.

- It was my fault, Ma.

- What have you been up to?

You knew they'd been

laying in wait for you.

Why'd you have to stir 'em up?

They didn't need

any stirring up.

I wrote the governor.

It seems the army

is still in command.

- There's a Major Trowbridge...

- Wait a minute, Pa.

[hoofbeats]

- [door closes]

- Jesse, Frank...

Come on.

[Frank]

We haven't been here.

[pounding]

- [pounding continues]

- [man] Open up!

[pounding continues]

Take that room, boys.

- Where are they?

- Who?

Your sons.

They're not here

and haven't been.

You don't set four places

for two people.

- Sergeant.

- Yes?

- You got a warrant?

- Yes, we got a warrant.

I'm sorry.

And I've got to serve it.

- On me?

- No, lady, not on you.

On your sons.

[hoofbeats]

- They aren't here.

- No, they aren't here.

But there is a law

against harboring criminals...

even for mothers.

Come on, boys.

My place yesterday,

yours today.

What are we supposed to do,

spend the rest of our lives

living in the brush?

We don't have to stay here.

Let's go someplace else.

Come down to Texas

with me, Jim.

What'll you do in Texas?

Starve?

The carpetbaggers

are just as bad there.

All right,

I don't like it

any better than you do,

but there's nothing

we can do about it.

We lost the w*r.

We're outlaws.

If we're outlaws,

let's get something for it.

- Now listen to me, Jim.

- You listen to me!

What do you say, Clell?

I'm with you.

Cummings?

Count me in.

Me too.

I'll string along with you.

[hoofbeats]

I just heard

about your place, Charlie.

- How's the arm?

- I'm gonna live.

Not one of us

can show our faces anywhere.

What's it all about, Cole?

The boys are fed up.

For that matter, so am I.

- And?

- We're outlaws. Face it.

- Let's get paid for it.

- What would you suggest?

There's a Yankee bank

over in Liberty,

bustin' with money.

We're outlaws because

of what we did during the w*r.

- But robbing banks...

- What's the difference?

We're fair game

for every bluecoat and lawman

that sets eyes on us.

Is this any kind of a life

for a human being to live?

I say let's get paid for it,

and give them what they give us.

You know, before the w*r

I used to think

I'd become a lawyer.

Now I guess

I'll be a bank robber.

- You too, Cole?

- We're being forced into it.

No, Cole.

You've made up

your minds already.

We have.

Frank isn't gonna talk.

[man]

Get 'em up!

[no audible dialogue]

[woman screams]

All right, all right.

We know

that they were masked.

But you could give me

a physical description

of them, couldn't you?

I don't know.

I was too excited.

You know the James boys

and the Youngers, don't you?

Well, more or less,

I guess.

What do you mean,

more or less?

You either know them

or you don't.

I've seen them around.

Getting you

to admit that much

is quite something.

The truth of the matter is,

you people are all scared

to death of these bushwhackers.

Anyone living around here

during the w*r would be

afraid of them too.

I was here during the w*r.

I was the one that enforced

Order Number 11, remember?

Then you ought to know

what happens to people

who turn in a guerrilla.

You know Frank James,

don't you?

Well, I know him by sight.

And you were in the bank

when this thing happened.

Did you recognize him?

How could I?

They wore masks, like he said.

[scoffs]

Broad daylight.

A hundred people standing

around, and not one of you

recognized anybody.

Not one of you!

All right.

You can't say for sure

that Frank James

was one of 'em, can you?

No, sir.

Well, can you say for sure

that he wasn't?

- Well...

- Answer me! Can you?

- Well?

- Well, no. No, I can't.

That's good enough for me.

All right, Sergeant,

get 'em.

Thank you, gentlemen.

That'll be all.

[hoofbeats]

[Brill]

Come on out, Jesse,

with your hands up.

Get in the other room.

No, Frank.

You'll be k*lled.

Get Ma in the other room!

Hurry up.

[hammer clicks]

[g*nshots continue]

Trowbridge.

Dear God.

What'll come of this now?

- They were asking for it.

- They wouldn't let us alone.

You'll have to leave.

They'll be back

with more men.

I know.

[g*nshots]

Major Trowbridge,

you say that you can

give us information

on the recent bank holdups

at Gramatan and Liberty.

Gentlemen, I can give you

the names of every man

who participated

in those robberies.

I can tell you exactly

what every single one of them

looks like.

Frank and Jesse James,

Clell Miller,

Jim and Cole Younger,

Allen Palmer, Arch Clements...

Arch Clements is dead.

He was k*lled in a fight

with some soldiers.

[man]

Soldiers under your command.

My command no longer, sir.

I've resigned from the army.

Major Trowbridge,

you were asked to resign.

You've opened

a private detective agency,

and you want

the Bankers Association

to retain you.

Gentlemen, you want

the bank robbers, don't you?

Well, I'm the man

who can get them for you.

Perhaps, Major.

Perhaps.

We've made inquiries about you.

You were a Kansas militiaman

under Lt. Col. Plumb.

You were very zealous

in enforcing Order Number 11.

I question whether

your scorched-earth policy

was necessary.

They wanted w*r.

We gave them w*r.

You never lived on

the Kansas border, did you?

Well, I did.

You couldn't possibly know

the kind of people

that we had to deal with.

Bushwhackers, murderers.

Frank and Jesse James

shot down my brother

in cold blood,

my own brother,

and I intend to devote

every waking moment

of my life

to getting those two

and their whole g*ng.

That may take some doing.

The report we have

from Clay County is

that the James boys are away...

California.

They're away.

You may be assured of that.

But they'll return,

and when they do,

I'm going to get them.

Oh, they've got

spies everywhere, yes,

but so have I.

Thanks, Doc.

Thanks very much.

Hope this does it.

Oh, I'm sure

that'll be all right.

Bye. And if

it don't get any better,

I'll come back.

All right, you do that.

Who's that?

That's Benson's hired man,

Jack Ladd.

He's new around here,

isn't he?

Oh, he's been around here

six, seven months.

Whoa.

- Mornin', miss.

- How do you do?

Ain't seen you

around here before.

I haven't been here lately.

Mrs. Samuels happens to be

my mother's cousin.

Oh, yes.

You're Miss Moore then.

Hear the boys are comin' back

from California.

I... I don't know anything

about that.

Git.

Hello, Bee.

How are you?

Fine, Dr. Samuels.

Gonna go tell Ma you're here.

This place

sure needs cleaning up,

if I can ever find the time.

Bee just drove in.

Yeah, I saw her coming.

Figured Jess and she

would have a lot to say

to each other.

You know, Ma,

we'd still be in California

if he hadn't kept

a-pestering me

about coming back.

He sure talked

about her a lot.

It ain't right.

No life for a girl.

Oh, Jess'll settle down.

Question is,

will Trowbridge let him?

Ma, Bee and I decided

to get married.

I'm glad.

You love him?

Oh, very much.

You're gonna be happy.

Real happy.

I know.

[organ plays

"The Wedding March"]

[people laughing, chattering]

Good luck!

- [man #1] Happy honeymoon.

- [man #2] Good luck!

[chattering,

shouting continue]

Good-bye! Good luck!

Now, remember

your instructions.

Keep back.

They'll come out of the house

just like they did before,

and then we'll pick them off.

All right, now move out.

[Ladd]

All right, come out

of the house, Frank and Jesse.

[g*nshots]

They just won't

leave us alone.

No, John!

No, you can't. Not alone.

Bolt the door.

Bolt the door!

[g*nshots continue]

Come out!

If this doesn't bring them out,

nothing will.

My arm.

My arm.

Jesse, what is it?

It's Ma.

She's been hurt bad.

Oh, no.

They had to operate.

She lost her arm.

Trowbridge again.

- You're going?

- I've got to.

That's what they wanted.

They'll be expecting you.

I can't help it.

Jesse, you can't go.

If you go back now, you're...

you're gone forever.

- How's your Ma, Jesse?

- She's a little better.

You know, I can't

for the life of me

figure who it could've been,

except that they must have

hated us something awful.

We've been away in California

'most a year.

Didn't let anyone know

we'd come back home

except the family and the boys.

They didn't talk.

[horse nickers]

Well, having trouble

with Brownie again, huh?

- Yeah, Dr. Samuels.

He's still lamed up.

- That's too bad.

Say, that was sure terrible,

what happened here

night before last.

Yeah.

You Benson's hired man?

Why, yes.

I'm Jesse James.

I live here.

Well, I'm sure glad

to meet you.

You were here the other day?

[chuckling]

Yeah.

You, um...

You been coming here a lot.

- Well, sick horse.

- How sick?

Well, uh...

Doc, you know.

Hey, come to think of it,

this horse wasn't very sick.

Neither was the dog

or the horse he brought here

the other day.

I don't know what

you're talking about.

I only work for Mr. Benson.

He sends me over

with the animals.

You sure about that?

I'm thinking Trowbridge

gives you your orders.

Trowbridge?

Why, who's he?

How long have you lived

around here?

Eight months.

Then you're a liar.

No man can live in Clay County

and not know about Trowbridge.

I don't get to town

very much.

I didn't come here

to argue.

If you don't want

to fix my horse,

well, I'll be going back

to Mr. Benson's.

Excuse me, ma'am.

[train approaching]

[whistle blows]

[screeching]

[cattle lowing]

You turn those other horses out

to the west 20?

First thing this morning.

Collect the firewood

for the house?

Did it last night.

Perfect hired man,

ain't ya?

Well, if you know

what's good for you,

you better not try

to take my job.

You sure you gave those horses

enough to eat?

Yeah. Got anything else

you want me to do?

No, nothin'

Thanks very much.

- [chickens clucking]

- [cows mooing]

- Good morning.

- Good morning.

- How are you today?

- Just fine.

- Hey, let me do that.

- Oh, no.

I've been taking care

of horses since I was 12.

Pa says you're

taking the day off.

Well,

the hay's all in.

I thought I'd go

to New Home today.

You know, I got

some buyin' to do.

Think I'll go with you.

I don't know exactly

where I'm going to be.

Going to meet a friend.

We might even go fishing.

Oh.

It's all right.

August is going in tomorrow.

I'll go with him.

Have a good time,

Dave.

Thanks, Miss Mary.

Mary.

Mary.

Hey. How is it

you can get a day off

whenever you feel like it?

- I haven't had a day off

since I've been here.

- Sure, sure.

You're a hardworking man.

The boss likes you,

and so does Mary.

Don't you?

[chattering]

- What'll you have?

- Beer.

Right.

Oh, hello, Sheriff.

- You're John Bauer's

new hired man.

- That's right.

Well, how they treating you

out there?

Fine.

That fella August

causing you any trouble?

Oh, nothing to speak of.

Good.

Glad to hear it.

Come on, Sam.

Don't drink too much,

Tony.

Dave, glad to see ya.

- Haven't seen you

for a long time.

- Well, hello, Steve.

- Give me a couple beers.

- Well, I've been pretty busy.

- How are things?

- Oh, can't complain.

Crops are good.

Excuse me, gentlemen,

but would you

be good enough to...

See, things haven't

been going to well

with me lately...

Here you are,

neighbor.

- Thank you.

- You're an understanding

gentleman.

You know, I remember

when the first rail...

Well, here today

and gone tomorrow.

- Hi, Jess.

- Hiya, boys.

Everything

all set?

- Cole, you sure the money's

on that train?

- Yep.

That job's

a matter of timing.

We all know what we gotta do,

and we gotta do it

at the right moment.

It'll be done, Frank.

It always has been.

- Say, how much money

do you think it'll be?

- Not less than $50,000.

$50,000?

Well, let's go.

- Only one thing worries me

about this deal.

- Yeah? What's that, Jess?

That I won't be able

to see Trowbridge's face

when he hears about it.

[clicks tongue]

Hyah!

- Giddap!

- Hey! Hey!

[chattering]

- Hey, Will!

- Yeah?

- Wanna play some poker?

- Sure! Deal me in!

All right, you're in.

You're in, boy.

Get over here.

A bunch of cavalry

is a little more

than we counted on.

- We'll just have to

make the best of it.

- Yeah.

- This is the spot.

- Uh-huh.

- [chattering continues]

- What do you say over there,

Sarge?

[whistle blowing]

- What's going on?

- Who cares? Deal the cards!

There's something on the track

around the curve. Better go slow

or you'll wreck your train.

- Hey, thanks very much.

- Don't mention it.

- You can't come up here.

- Can't I?

- Of course not.

- Oh, yes, he can.

All right,

start 'er up.

Just a few friends of mine.

They want to talk to ya.

- You don't mind, do ya?

- Uh-uh. Not at all.

- Good afternoon. May we?

- Fine.

Yes, sir.

- Now listen, Mr. James...

- Tell me later.

- [g*nsh*t]

- That's enough of that.

It's a holdup!

Grab your g*ns!

Hold it, boys!

Take it easy

and nobody'll get k*lled.

[g*nshots]

Over here!

Get movin'!

Back to the boxcar, men!

- Hyah!

- Hah!

Hyah!

[shouting]

Come on!

Come on! Hyah!

Get! Hyah!

Hah! Hah!

Hyah! Hyah! Hah!

Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!

Hyah!

- Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!

- Let's go!

Hah!

All right,

you can stop now.

[brakes hissing]

[g*nshots]

Drop it, or the next one's

through your head.

Now lookee here, mister.

You're Jesse James, I suppose.

I was always on your side

because I figured

you boys got a bad deal.

But now you're just

common, ordinary robbers.

There's 50,000 in that safe,

and that isn't ordinary.

Open it up.

It's a true safe.

I haven't got

the combination.

Open it up.

[g*nshots]

- Hyah!

- Hurry up!

Clell's in trouble.

All right, move.

Move!

[g*nshots continue]

- You see, Mr. James? I...

- Shut up!

Here it is! Get going!

[g*nshots continue]

We lost 'em.

But we can't stay here.

They'll catch up with us

sooner or later.

Can you ride, Bob?

- Yeah. Sure.

- Ah, no, he can't.

Not unless I hold him up.

That's no good,

Cole.

Clell.

Jim Cummings.

Charlie.

Bob'll make it.

[sighs]

Yeah, sure he will.

But Jesse's right.

We gotta get out of here.

They'll be flushing these woods.

Go ahead, Frank.

I think we'd better

scatter anyways.

We're in this together.

We stay together.

No good.

Best thing to do is

every man for himself.

Whatever it is,

we gotta move.

Best thing you can do

is to draw 'em away from here.

Maybe you're right, Cole.

Be dark

in a couple hours.

Come on, Jess.

We'll make another run,

Cole.

I'm sorry, Bob.

Take it easy, Bob.

Here we go.

- Cole, why don't you and Jim...

- Oh, never mind.

This where

I'm supposed to sleep?

Like it or not,

it's safer than outside.

Must be a thousand posse men

swarming this country

looking for us by now.

How about the people here

on the place?

They think I went

to New Home to get drunk.

- I didn't quit my job.

I just took the day off.

- That was smart.

But suppose somebody

comes up here for hay.

They won't.

I feed the stock.

Jess, I wouldn't want

any of these people

to get hurt.

They been white to me,

especially the old man

and the girl.

Oh? There's a girl?

They mustn't be hurt,

no matter, Jess.

You understand.

Sure, Frank.

I'd like to have found

that sack of money

those robbers left behind

when they held up

the train.

There's some things

money can't buy.

Your life.

And come right down to it,

them fellas found that out.

You notice they was glad

to let the money go

when it come to runnin'.

Say, Dave, I forgot

to ask you. Have a good time

in town last night?

Oh, it was all right.

By the way, Nick Schimmel

stopped by last night.

He says they're getting together

a big posse to go after

them train robbers.

- You wanna go with 'em?

- No, no posse for me.

They were talking about

the holdup in town.

They figure

maybe it was Jesse James.

[laughs]

That's what August says.

I don't think they know

what they're talking about.

Every time I read the paper

I find something

about Jesse James.

One week

he holds up a bank

in California.

The next week,

a train in Pittsburgh.

What is he,

a flyin' man?

Jesse James never held up

any train in Pittsburgh.

This train yesterday

was the first train that

was ever held up by any outlaw.

Train or bank.

What's the difference?

Jesse James gets blamed

for everything.

Me, I ain't believin'

there isa Jesse James.

Well, I believe it.

And you can get $10,000

for catching him, dead or alive.

[hoofbeats]

- Hello, Andy.

- Hi, Steve.

- Going hunting?

- Man hunting.

Getting up a posse.

Like to come along?

You don't think those bandits

are still hanging

around here, do you?

They've had all night

to ride.

If I didn't have so much work,

I think I'd go along with you.

- Dave, why don't you

go with them?

- I haven't got a g*n.

- Well, I'll lend you mine.

- I'm not very good with a g*n.

I'd better get at

that north 80.

Trowbridge, the detective,

came in on the train

this morning.

He's gonna lead

the posse.

He knows more

about Jesse James, they say,

than Jesse James's mother.

What's your hurry,

Dave?

Ah, he'd only get in our way

if there was any shootin'.

- Come on. I'll go with you.

- You go along with them.

I gotta go back to town,

get another bunch of men.

Hah!

Hah! Hyah!

Whoa!

I think they're holed up

in these rocks.

You two boys

head around from the north.

Wait a minute.

Keep clear of those woods.

The minute

you hear any shootin',

why, come on in.

Bill! You and Joe go round

in from the other side.

The rest of us'll

go on in and get 'em.

There can't be more than five

of them altogether, and they're

probably pretty badly wounded,

judging from the amount

of blood they're leaving.

Come on.

[g*nsh*t]

You're surrounded,

Jesse!

You may as well

surrender!

Frank!

You've got better sense!

You're surrounded

and outnumbered!

Give up!

All right!

All right!

[Trowbridge]

Throw out your g*n!

I can't.

[Trowbridge]

Well, drop it!

The Younger brothers,

huh?

- Where's the others?

- No others.

- Where are Frank and Jesse?

- I don't know.

[man]

Say, this one's alive.

You're Cole Younger,

aren't ya?

Yeah.

That's all

I'm gonna say.

Is it?

We'll see about that.

Drag 'em out of here!

Go on!

Drag 'em out!

- We got them.

- Got who?

- We shot it out with them

and we got 'em.

- Not Jesse James.

- I still don't believe

there's such a person.

- Only one of them could talk.

He said his name was Cole

Younger, but the detective said

the other two was his brothers.

- You sure they were

the Younger brothers?

- I just told ya.

They're alive, all three of 'em,

but they're full of lead.

You'll still have to

prove it to me.

Just a minute,

Dave.

- You're just the man

I want to see.

- Yeah?

You were in

Bregdorf's saloon

yesterday.

That's right.

You had a beer there

with another fella.

- Yeah. An old friend of mine.

- An old friend of yours.

They took pictures

of them bandits that held up

that train yesterday.

Doggone, one of them

looked like the fella that was

with you in the saloon.

Who, Steve Brill?

He works on the farm

over near Barkley.

He and I came from

the same town.

-You lived in Barkley

before you came here?

-That's right. I was born there.

Everybody knows me.

If you don't believe Dave,

why don't you go over

to Barkley and ask them?

Well, maybe I will.

Sorry to have

bothered you. Bye.

So long, Mary.

John.

Dave.

I was watching your face

while August was talking

about the outlaws.

What is your real name?

I don't suppose

it matters anymore.

It doesn't matter to me.

I'm Frank James.

Then you were with them

yesterday.

Yes.

- You've got to get out of here.

It isn't safe.

- I can't. Not yet.

Up with your hands!

- August,

have you lost your mind?

- Stay away!

Frank James is gonna get it

if he makes a move.

Where are your g*ns?

- I don't know

what you're talking about.

- No?

You talked that lunkhead sheriff

out of it, but you

won't convince me.

I know

you're Frank James!

All right, August.

You win.

- Keep back!

Keep back, or I'll sh**t.

- August, you fool!

[g*nshots]

- Come on, Frank, let's go.

- Frank, please.

It's no use, Mary.

Mr. Bauer,

I amFrank James.

Frank Ja...

And you?

Jesse James.

I've got to

be going.

- I'm going with you.

- No, Mary, you can't.

Oh, yes, I can.

I know you've done wrong,

but we'll make

a new life together.

Mary. Mary, listen.

Bee, it looks to me

like you don't like

my cooking.

I'm not very hungry.

- Coffee?

- Yes, please.

You know, Ma,

these last few days

I...

I don't know

what I would have done

without you.

You'd have been

all right.

'Sides, the change

was good for me.

And I wanted to see your house.

I'd heard so much about it.

You know, it's nice.

It's real pretty.

- Forgot the sugar.

- Oh, I'll get it.

It isn't going to

change, Bee.

You've been reading

that same paper

for three days now.

They're holding

something back.

There hasn't been any more

since this came out.

Because

there isn't any more.

- Oh, Jesse!

- Bee.

Ma.

I'm all right.

- Hello, Ma. Hello, Bee.

- Frank!

I've got a surprise

for you.

I want you to meet

my wife.

This is Mary, Ma.

Frank.

I'm so happy for you.

This is Bee.

She's lovely, Frank.

Frank's told me

about you and Jesse,

how happy you are.

Happy?

I hope

you'll be happy.

Every time Frank leaves

the house, you'll wonder

when he's coming back.

- Bee.

- Every time there's a knock

on the door, your heart stops.

- Every time you pick up

the paper, you're afraid.

- Bee, stop it!

- You'll afraid

you'll find he's dead!

- No, Jesse, let her say it.

That's true.

I don't care what you say.

Trowbridge doesn't

mean a thing to me.

He's never even been

in smelling distance of us.

He got my brother

Clell.

It was the soldiers got him,

wasn't it?

What difference does it make

who got him?

Seems to make

a difference to you.

Every time you hear

something about Trowbridge,

you wanna lay low.

You young squirt.

You haven't got sense enough

to know what's good for you.

Are you so chickenhearted

you have to keep shouting

how tough you are?

I'm not afraid

of any detective,

if that's what you mean.

Sometime you find

it pays to be scared,

especially when

the law is after you.

You're kidding, Jesse.

Why, everybody's

scared of you.

Mention your name to someone,

they get white in the face.

- Have you mentioned

my name anywhere?

- No! No, honest, Jesse.

I just meant people

are afraid of you.

He's too green

for this business, Charlie.

He'll be all right, Jesse.

He's got spunk.

And he can sh**t

better than I can

right now.

Hello, Bee.

Got something good

for supper?

Tell them to get out

of my house.

Now, Bee, you know

you like me around.

I'm tired of having

this bunch of cutthroats

around here.

And especially you,

d*ck Liddil.

What you do outside

is your business,

but this is our home.

Sure, Bee. Sure.

They just happened

to drop by.

"They just happened

to drop by."

The neighbors are already

avoiding me because this trash

just happens to drop by.

- Trash? Now, Bee...

- Shut up!

When they leave,

I'll come back.

- I guess I'll be going.

- Yeah, me too.

Sit down.

You can't leave

in a body.

Go one at a time

every five minutes.

If you want me tonight,

you'll find me at Frank's.

Trash, huh?

-Good enough to help her husband

get the money she spends.

-Shut your mouth, d*ck.

She's right.

She's right about us.

- Talk for yourself.

- I am.

Gettin' kinda big

for your britches, ain't ya?

Or maybe Jesse's been

tellin' you what a great fighter

your brother was.

Was.

- Don't you say anything

about my brother.

- Who's gonna make me stop?

Now look here, fellas.

You can't...

Get your hat.

Get your hat!

- Get out of the way, Charlie.

- d*ck, listen!

Get out of the way,

and I'll make him

get on his knees.

Just because Jesse

said something about nerve,

you think I haven't got any.

- Draw!

- [g*nsh*t]

[body falls]

The neighbors.

It was him or me, wasn't it?

Wasn't it?

Sure, d*ck.

He drew on you.

Yeah, sure.

He drew on me.

I hadto k*ll him.

I guess

they didn't hear.

You saw him draw on me,

didn't ya? Didn't ya?

Yes, d*ck, but...

Jesse...

He won't believe me.

He's Clell's brother.

Just because Clell

rode with him during the w*r,

he thinks the sun

rose and set on him.

You'll back me up, won't ya,

say he drew on me?

Sure, d*ck. Sure.

I never did like Ed

anyway.

Just the same, you'd better

get his body out of here

before Jesse comes back.

Yeah.

Yeah, I'll get it...

We won't tell Jesse

anything about this.

And then

when Ed doesn't show up,

Jesse'll need a new man.

He'll have to take me

into the g*ng.

Yeah. Yeah.

Gentlemen,

we're out of business.

I have here a letter

from the Bankers Association

discharging us

and another one

from the railroad companies

giving us 90 days notice.

Two miserable outlaws

hiding in holes in the ground

and sneaking through the night

have beaten us.

They've destroyed

a detective agency

with offices in eight cities

and 300 men

on the payroll!

A thousand sheriffs

of a thousand counties

have failed to get

these same outlaws.

I'm not a sheriff,

and neither are you.

You're supposed to be

a trained detective,

a picked man.

I remember you,

McGuire.

You were one of the brave lads

who surrounded the James house

one dark night, weren't you?

One of seven or eight

exactly like you

who attacked an old woman

and caused her to lose an arm

and thereby gain the sympathy

of the entire country for her

and her murderous sons!

I should have fired you

then and there!

You can have your job.

Get out.

Get out, all of ya!

I'm sick

of the sight of ya!

My ears are ringing

with the silly excuses

you've be giving me for years,

how you just missed

Jesse James here,

how you come to just

miss him there, everywhere.

Get out! Get out!

[man]

Read all about it!

Get your paper here!

Outlaw captured!

Read all about it!

One of James g*ng captured!

Read all about it!

Big outlaw taken!

Read all about it!

One of Jesse James's

men captured!

Read all about it!

One of James g*ng

captured!

Read all about it! One

of Jesse James's men captured!

Read all about it!

Get your paper here!

Read all about it!

- One of James's men captured!

Read all about it!

- Let me have one.

Read all about it!

One of James g*ng captured!

Read all about it!

Get your paper here!

Read all about it!

One of James g*ng captured!

Read all about it!

Listen, d*ck.

I'll make a deal

with you.

There's a $10,000 reward

for him.

You tell me where he is,

and I'll see that

you get the money,

every single dollar

of it.

I don't know

what you're talking about.

I never saw Jesse James

in all my life.

The sheriff

didn't capture you.

You gave yourself up.

You came to him

of your own volition

and surrendered, didn't you?

Jesse James

was after you, huh?

Yeah.

And you were

more afraid of him

than you were of the law.

You know so much,

what are you wasting your time

on me for? Go out and get Jesse.

I don't know where he is.

Well, you won't find him

where he was yesterday,

that's for sure.

That I know.

Don't you feel

too safe in here.

Make no mistake

about Jesse James.

He's a desperate man.

He's the most dangerous man

in this country.

If he wants to get you,

these bars won't protect you.

Get out! Go on, get out of here.

Let me alone.

That's why you surrendered,

wasn't it, d*ck?

You knew Jesse would get you,

no matter where you went,

how fast or how far.

You're a dead man, d*ck,

unless I get Jesse James.

I don't know where he is.

I told you that.

It's the truth.

- If I knew, I'd...

- A pardon, d*ck.

Your life and a pardon.

The minute I get my hands

on Jesse James,

you get a pardon.

Think of it, boy.

Your freedom and all that

reward money to spend.

- You'll never get him alive.

- Who said anything

about getting him alive?

I gave up that idea

years ago.

The Fords.

Charlie and Bob Ford.

They'll know where he's at.

Bob Ford's your man.

[knocking]

- [knocking]

- Who is it?

[Trowbridge]

Open up!

Who are you?

A friend of yours,

d*ck Liddil, sent me

over to see you.

- Which one of you is Bob?

- I am.

I'm Major Trowbridge.

- What are you trying to pull?

- Not a thing.

Not a thing.

Your friend Liddil told me

that you might be the right man

for a certain job.

But after seeing you,

I doubt very much

if you'll do.

Get to the point,

mister.

All right.

I can offer $10,000 cash

and a full pardon

for a man

who's got nerve enough

to take care

of Jesse James.

But like I said,

after seeing you,

I doubt very much

if you'll do.

[door opens, closes]

Jess.

Jess, we've been lucky.

We've taken a thousand chances,

and we've won.

But to try to break into a big

city jail and k*ll d*ck Liddil,

you haven't got a chance.

- He k*lled Ed Miller.

- And we k*lled

his brother Clell.

Yes, you and I, Jess.

If he hadn't

been our friend,

he'd be alive today.

You've been doing

some strange talking lately.

Everything I say

you're against.

I'm fed up,

if you want to know.

I'm tired of moving

from house to house,

town to town, city to city.

I'm tired of

running and dodging.

I'm tired

of being a thief.

Jess, we've never enjoyed

one cent of the money

we've stolen.

Well, I'm through.

Mary and I

are going to Europe.

When we come back,

I'm gonna settle down

in one place.

I want to be able

to look people in the eye.

I want to be able

to look at my wife.

I've got a wife too.

And is she any happier

than my wife?

Does she like

the life she leads?

No, I don't.

I don't like it at all.

Do you, Jesse?

Let's not go into that

again, Bee. I've had about

all I can take from Frank.

You won't be hearing

any more.

Good-bye, Bee.

Good-bye, Jess.

Think it over,

will you?

Come on, Mary.

- Hello, Frank.

Didn't know you were here.

- Just going.

It's all right, boys.

It's just a little

family argument.

Sit down.

I'll be right with you.

Family squabble.

- Let's get out of here.

- What's the matter

with you, Charlie?

Sit down.

You haven't got

any more sand in you than

that chickenhearted d*ck Liddil.

I rode on two jobs

with Jesse.

I've seen him

in action.

d*ck had a right

to be scared of him.

Is he so fast on the draw?

I can handle a g*n myself.

Jesse doesn't scare me.

A g*n? What for?

There's no need of it.

You saw in this morning's paper

that Trowbridge's luck ran out.

He can't help you.

So Trowbridge got himself k*lled

by a cheap pickpocket.

What of it? I don't need him.

There's still

a reward for Jesse.

[footsteps]

Well, boys, I finally

made up my mind. I'm through.

I'm going to Europe.

- What?

- You'll never hear

of Jesse James again.

He's gone,

disappeared, finished.

I'm packing right now.

We leave tonight.

In two days I'll be in New York

and then on a boat.

Where'd I leave

those suitcases?

Oh, yes. In the back.

Jesse.

You can't go outside

wearing that g*n.

The neighbors.

That's right. I forgot.

Well, I might as well get used

to going around without it.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[door opens, closes]

Boys, I haven't felt

so good in years.

Frank and I

had a little talk.

He was right.

So was Ma.

Yeah, a year in Europe

oughta change my whole outlook.

If you're quittin', Jesse,

I think I'll take over.

You, Bob? You think

you're big enough for that?

Yeah, I think

I'm big enough.

- [footsteps]

- Let's go.

Jesse!

Jesse.

Bee, I'm sorry.

Oh, don't talk.

Hasn't been much

of a life for you.

Oh, Jesse.

Jesse.

Jesse?

Jesse!