The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

In 1881, an eager Robert 'Bob' Ford embarks on a quest to find the notorious outlaw Jesse James. His intention is to join Jesse's gang, ignited by the thrill of adventure and a desire for notoriety.

Bob seeks assistance from his older brother Charley, who is already an established member of Jesse's gang. Meanwhile, the gang faces disappointment when Frank James decides to leave over the meager treasure expected from their upcoming train heist.

After the failed heist, Jesse James travels back to Kansas City with Bob, Charley, and several other gang members. During this time, Jesse insists that Bob remains with him to help carry out some tasks while the rest are sent away.

As Jesse's protege, Bob becomes increasingly infatuated with him, idolizing his bravery and lifestyle. However, this admiration is soon tested when Bob returns to his sister Martha's farmhouse, where life takes a mundane turn.

Tension escalates when Dick Liddil reveals to Bob that he is secretly plotting to betray Jesse for a bounty. Bob finds himself caught between loyalty to Jesse and the allure of the bounty, complicating his feelings further.

Jesse visits another gang member, Ed Miller, who inadvertently gives away Liddil's betrayal plan. In a fit of rage, Jesse brutally murders Miller, showcasing his volatile temperament and setting a grim precedent for faithfulness within the gang.

Bob finds himself in a tragic conflict when Wood confronts Liddil, leading to an unanticipated escalation. In his instinctive reflex to protect Liddil, Bob shoots and kills Wood, marking a pivotal moment of violence and chaos in his life.

At a dinner hosted by the Boltons, Jesse mocks Bob about his blind admiration for him, which breeds resentment within Bob. The atmosphere of fear and deceit intensifies as Bob grapples with the lethal consequences of loyalty and betrayal.

Bob walks into the Kansas City Police Commissioner's office, claiming knowledge of Jesse's whereabouts. To prove his allegiance, he assists in capturing Dick Liddil, leading to a deal for a bounty that forces Bob to confront his treacherous actions.

Jesse inducts Bob into the gang, providing him with a polished nickel-plated gun as a gesture of trust. However, Mary grows suspicious, creating an atmosphere of tension that foreshadows betrayal and dire consequences.

On April 3, 1882, while Jesse is momentarily distracted by a newspaper, Bob seizes the opportunity to shoot him in the back. This act of betrayal not only seals Jesse's fate but also puts Bob and Charley in a perilous position as they flee.

The Fords attempt to profit from Jesse's death by sending a telegram to the governor, proclaiming Jesse’s demise. However, they only receive a fraction of the promised bounty, generating discontent and further complicating Bob's mental state.

To capitalize on Jesse's notoriety, the Fords embark on a theatrical tour in Manhattan, reenacting Jesse's murder. As public perception shifts, Bob finds himself labeled a coward, aggravating his internal conflict and leading to a violent outburst.

Overcome by guilt for his role in the betrayal and the ensuing chaos, Charley composes numerous letters to Jesse's widow seeking forgiveness. Unable to cope with his remorse, Charley ultimately takes his own life in May 1884.

Haunted by his past actions and memories, Bob's life comes to a tragic end when he is shot dead by Edward O'Kelley in his saloon in Creede, Colorado. O'Kelley receives a life sentence for the murder but finds himself pardoned a decade later.