The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James (1986) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language

1986 · 120 mins · English

#21,955

Directed by

William A. Graham

Starring

Kris Kristofferson, Meg Gibson, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Marcia Cross

They became famous outlaws. The film follows the final years of Frank and Jesse James, starting in 1877 as the brothers try a quieter life after a decade of robbery. Frank is a book‑loving family man; Jesse is a reckless, money‑driven womanizer. It ends with Jesse’s murder by Bob “the rotten little coward” Ford and Frank’s death in 1892.