The Long Riders

In the aftermath of the Civil War, the notorious James-Younger gang emerges as a significant threat in the Midwestern United States. Led by Jesse James, the gang begins a series of brazen bank and train robberies that draw the attention of law enforcement.

During one such bank robbery, gang member Ed Miller loses his composure and opens fire, accidentally killing a bank clerk. This tragic incident prompts a chaotic shootout, resulting in Jesse sustaining injuries and ultimately leading to Ed's dismissal from the gang.

Mr. Rixley, a determined detective from the Pinkerton agency, takes on the task of tracking the gang. His pursuit leads to the deaths of several individuals, including a Younger cousin and a young James brother, as well as unfortunate losses among his own men.

Jim Younger harbors feelings for a young woman named Beth but faces heartbreak when he learns of her engagement to Ed Miller. During the funeral of Jesse's younger brother, Jim persuades Beth to break off her engagement, leading her to ultimately marry Ed.

With plans for future robberies underway, Clell Miller proposes a bank heist in Northfield, Minnesota, set for September 1876. As news of their plans leaks, the local community heightens security in anticipation of the gang's arrival.

When the gang attempts to rob the Northfield bank, they quickly discover that the vault is on a timer, preventing them from accessing the money. In the ensuing chaos, several shootings occur, resulting in the deaths of a cashier and an innocent bystander.

As the robbers attempt to flee the botched heist, they are met with gunfire from local residents defending their town. This violent confrontation leads to the deaths of two gang members, with Clell Miller suffering fatal injuries and Frank James wounded.

The surviving gang members escape to a temporary camp in the woods to regroup and tend to their injuries. As pressure mounts from law enforcement, Jesse makes the difficult decision to abandon the injured members and continue fleeing.

Jesse and Frank James eventually decide to return to Missouri. During their journey home, Jesse reveals plans to reform a new gang, despite Frank's obvious apprehension about the future and the law enforcement on their tail.

While Jesse remains on the run, the captured Younger brothers are interrogated by Mr. Rixley in prison. They refuse to divulge Jesse's location, demonstrating their loyalty to him even under pressure from law enforcement.

Bob and Charley Ford, eager to join Jesse's new gang, are persuaded by Rixley to undertake a more sinister task. He offers them a substantial bounty of $15,000 to assassinate Jesse, presenting a tempting opportunity amid their perilous lives.

During a dinner at Jesse's home, Bob takes advantage of a moment when Jesse is distracted to gun him down. This shocking betrayal leads to Jesse's death, marking the end of the infamous outlaw's reign.

In the wake of Jesse's assassination, Frank James is filled with grief and anger. He chooses to surrender to law enforcement, negotiating for the right to take his brother's body home for burial, a request that Rixley reluctantly accepts.