Writer/Director Andrew Dominik (Chopper) did not make a rollicking western yarn, as the above elements might suggest. Instead, he composed a deep, contemplative character study that eschewed most of the genre elements that bring people to westerns in the first place. Brad Pitt plays Jesse James, the notorious outlaw. He and his brother, Frank (Sam Shepard), have taken to hiring vagabonds and young kids as the regulars in their gang dropped out, died, or were taken by the law. In the late 1880's, Jesse and Frank go on a job with Charley Ford (Sam Rockwell), and his younger brother, Robert (Casey Affleck). Robert has had an infatuation with the James brothers since he was small, and to see his idols up close is a real thrill. Frank dislikes the boy from the start, but Jesse seems tickled by Robert's adoration. However, the love soon turns to envy and hate, and Robert begins to resent Jesse and his fame, and aims to do something about it.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is an anti-western. It contains almost none of the hallmarks of the genre, instead choosing to focus on plumbing the depths of its main characters. Dominik has a talent for giving the smallest details great significance, tracking the subtle changes in tone and mood. The film has an unearthly feel to it, like all the events are happening in the realm of legend. This effect is aided by the monotone narration, which, instead of distancing the audience from the material, draws them in with its understated approach to the unfolding events.

Casey Affleck, who recently wowed audience with his forceful performance in Gone Baby Gone, proves that he has the chops in him to go toe to toe with his elders. His portrayal as Robert Ford is a fascinating world of contradictions. He clearly idolizes Jesse James, but the reality of the man is far different from the stories he would read by his bedside as a child. His affection for James is less focused on the man, and more on his fame. It's clear throughout the picture that Ford considers himself a great man, and will do anything to attain the attention of the public. Affleck plays these emotions barely beneath the surface. So often you can see the hint of contempt or nervousness flit across his face. It's an impressive bit of acting.

Brad Pitt also offers a sober reflection of Jesse James. While James' didn't share Pitt's rugged good looks, the real evocation of the character is in his dangerously charismatic persona. Pitt has always veered towards darker roles, and Jesse James is no exception. In Pitt's hands, James is a leader of men, but unable to control his own moods. He's manic depressive and keenly perceptive. He's often referred to as a man who knows everything that is going on, but in fact he is very good at putting small facts together. Pitt makes James a constant surprise. Neither the characters nor the audience know what he's going to do next.

The film is slow and meditative, but it's also sumptuous and gorgeous. Cinematographer Roger Deakins was nominated for an Oscar for his beautiful shots, and the wheat fields blowing in the breeze or the steam rushing off a stopped train engine only add to the ghostly feel for which Dominik was aiming. And while the film runs 160 minutes, it never feels that long. Yes, it's slow. But it creates its own rhythm that feels appropriate to the material. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford demands that the audience come to it on its terms, not theirs. But for those willing to take the plunge, they'll find a fascinating take on one of America's most famous (and infamous) sons.

The Blu-ray Disc:

The Image:
Warner Bros. presents The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford in its original aspect ratio of 2.40:1 in this VC-1 encoded 1080p transfer. At its best, this transfer is a beautiful showcase for Roger Deakins' impressive cinematography. Some of the scenes, such as the initial train robbery or several of James' midnight rides, look stunning in high definition, with an intense sharpness and clarity that a film like this deserves. However, the quality of the transfer is inconsistent. Some scenes look too smooth, with obvious filters applied to try and reduce noise. This is separate from the deliberately stylized scenes of narration. The film looks good, but it could have looked better.

The Audio:
Given that Warner Bros. tried to bury The Assassination of Jesse James..., and only begrudgingly gave it a fleeting theatrical release with no marketing, it doesn't surprise me that they wouldn't take the time to put together a lossless track for the Blu-ray release. And given that Warner Bros. Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks are almost always 640Kbps, unlike the much higher bitrate tracks favored by Universal and Paramount for their lossy mixes, the difference in sound quality is noticeable. However, the mix on hand is still quite lively, with the surrounds almost constantly working. The dialogue is immaculately reproduced, and the bass gets a bit of a workout at various key points, as well. Not the best it could have been, but certainly good for what it is.

The Supplements:
The only extra (which is not available on the standard DVD release) is a half hour documentary entitled "The Assassination of Jesse James: The Death of an Outlaw," which looks at the last few years of Jesse James' life. It starts with an overview of his origins, and how he became to be such an infamous (but populist) outlaw. It then delves deeper into why the initial zeitgeist behind him fell apart, leading to his death. It's informative and interesting, but it feels like the tip of an iceberg of extras that should have been on the disc.

The Conclusion:
Films like The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford are few and far between. Reflective and methodical, the film is both lush and stark, with showcase performances by Casey Affleck and Brad Pitt as the title characters. While this Blu-ray disc isn't the best release Warner Bros. has ever made on the format, the film is so strong that this title comes easily Highly Recommended.

Daniel Hirshleifer is the High Definition Editor for DVD Talk.