The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid (1972)

The final days of the infamous James gang are meticulously detailed in this riveting account of the group's most daring robbery. Led by the introspective Cole Younger (Cliff Robertson) and the nearly psychotic Jesse James (Robert Duvall), the much-glorified desperadoes set their sights on the biggest bank west of the Mississippi. The gritty action and dialogue, based on documented fact, chronicles the robbery from Younger's decision to storm the seemingly impregnable depository right up to the precision-planned assault. Directed in semi-documentary style by Philip Kaufman, this taut action-adventure shows the West as it truly was … and why it will never be forgotten.

Another angle on the James Gang

This depiction of the James Gang's disastrous bank job in Northfield, Minnesota is a nice companion piece to Walter Hill's depiction of the same event in THE LONG RIDERS. Here Philip Kaufman, the ever-underrated director of THE WANDERERS and the 1970s remake of INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, focuses on (and pretty much idolizes) Cole Younger (Cliff Robertson) as the "good" would-be leader of the gang, struggling against a distracted and near-psychopathic Jesse James (Robert Duvall)--but the supporting cast makes it a great show: Luke Askew, Matt Clark, R G Armstrong and other familiar faces of 70s film are on ample display, and Kaufman's unerring eye puts you neatly into the picture. February 25, 2008

Not historically accurate in the least!!!

If you are looking for a close historical account of the infamous Northfield, Minnesota Bank Robbery by the James-Younger Gang, this isn't it! Rent The Long Riders as it is 95% accurate as to what happened with this robbery. This movie is about 5% accurate only because the players are all present.

First, every single person involved in that robbery has been changed into an imbocile. Jim Younger having no upper lip because of getting shot is so stupid that it can only be made more so by adding a fake mustache to cover it up! Frank James being 100% behind his brother when it came to confrontation with Cole Younger is absolutely ridiculous as anybody who has studied the gang knows, Cole & Frank were best friends and Frank was against Jesse quite often due to his spontanaity & ruthlessness.

As for Nicholas Gustafson, the 18-20 year old foreigner who got shot during the robbery because he didn't understand English, they have changed him into an old man who is crazy and is looking for his long-lost son Willie!!!

I could go on and on but I won't. They did get Jesse's quirks down pretty good with Robert Duvall and a few other things but this movie is anything but historically accurate and makes a joke of the whole entire thing! I am truly sorry that I bought it! I read several reviews online and they all were mistaken that it was accurate so I guess next time I will have to pass on a "historical" movie if I have a question.

If you want a goofy, totally fictional account of this robbery, then this movie is for you! If not, stay away from it!!! February 24, 2008

The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid

This is one of the best movies made about the Northfield Minnesota Raid today. It features a great list of actors and follows the historical details of the the actual raid fairly well. The film has just enough Hollywood in it to make it very entertaining. January 14, 2008

Jesse who?

In this delightful film, Jesse James takes a back seat in the buckboard to Cole Younger who shows a real talent for fixing calliopes and robbing banks, though this one didn't turn out too well. Better let Jesse plan the next one. December 21, 2007

Boring. No action. Not worth viewing.

I don't know how accurate this movie is compared to the true story of Jessy James. What I know is it is boring. There was only two scenes where both sides were shooting at each other. And they were over in less than 2 minutes.

It also drags in many places. For example, the baseball game scene dragged for about 15 minutes!
It's not worth viewing at all. November 5, 2007

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