The Long Riders (1980)

The origins, exploits and the ultimate fate of the Jesse James gang is told in a sympathetic portrayal of the bank robbers made up of brothers who begin their legendary bank raids because of revenge.

Director:

Walter Hill

Writers:

Bill Bryden, Steven Smith (as Steven Phillip Smith)

Stars:

David Carradine, Stacy Keach, Dennis Quaid

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Carradine	...	Cole Younger
Keith Carradine	...	Jim Younger
Robert Carradine	...	Bob Younger
James Keach	...	Jesse James
Stacy Keach	...	Frank James
Dennis Quaid	...	Ed Miller
Randy Quaid	...	Clell Miller
Kevin Brophy	...	John Younger
Harry Carey Jr.	...	George Arthur
Christopher Guest	...	Charlie Ford
Nicholas Guest	...	Bob Ford
Shelby Leverington	...	Annie Ralston
Felice Orlandi	...	Mr. Reddick
Pamela Reed	...	Belle Starr
James Remar	...	Sam Starr

Storyline

After the American Civil War, outlaw Jesse James forms a gang comprised of himself, his brother Frank James, Cole Younger and his two brothers, Jim Younger and Bob Younger as well as Ed Miller and his brother Clell Miller. The gang is led by Jesse James and Cole Younger. The gang starts by robbing small banks and stagecoaches in the Midwest and in their home state of Missouri. Later, the gang targets bigger prizes, such as larger banks and trains. This criminal activity attracts the attention of the railroad company owners who hire the Pinkerton Detective Agency to capture the gang. When the gang kills a few Pinkerton detectives, a war of sorts starts between the Pinkerton Agency and the James-Younger gang. Sometimes caught in the middle of it are innocent civilians. In 1876, the gang is running out of banks to rob in Missouri and decides to raid a supposedly fat bank, far up North, in the state of Minnesota. But the Pinkerton Detective Agency is setting up a trap there.

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Plot Keywords:

bank | revenge | breasts | famous score | last man standing | 

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Taglines:

"All the world likes an outlaw. For some damn reason they remember 'em." - Jesse James

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Western

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film stars four sets of actual brothers: the Carradines, the Keachs, the Quaids and the Guests.

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Goofs

Chapter 13; 1:18:49 Northfield shootout (again), car parked behind green wagon. (Prior to horses jumping through glass windows.)

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Quotes

Beth Mimms: Jim Younger, there are some things that a gentleman does not ask a lady!
Bob Younger: Beth, when you're old enough to call yourself a lady, I'll keep that in mind.

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Alternate Versions

UK video and DVD versions were cut by 4 secs by the BBFC to edit a horse-fall. Although the BBFC's website states that the 1986 video version was cut by 1 minute 35 secs, this seems to be erroneous.

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Connections

Referenced in Road Games: Audio Interview with Stacy Keach (2016)

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Soundtracks

Hold to God's Unchanging Hand
(uncredited)
Music traditional
Arranged by Ry Cooder
Original lyrics by Franklin L. Eiland
Sung a cappella by the minister at a funeral

User Reviews

Walter Hill's best film...

...a definite classic that should be seen more than once to truly appreciate it. Very similar to Peckinpah's "The Wild Bunch" (the best film of all time...Western or otherwise) in the sense that the characters aren't romanticized outlaws that only steal to support the poor and only kill bad people (if you want crap like that see the piece of excrement known as "American Outlaws"). The way the violence is filmed is also similar to that of "The Wild Bunch" and the film's final shootout is quite similar to the opening of Peckinpah's opus. But who cares? If you're going to steal, steal from the best.

Anyway, if you're a fan of Westerns (or just good movies) see this film. Walter Hill needs to make more Westerns.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Swedish

Release Date:

16 May 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bandit Kings

Filming Locations:

Texas State Railroad, Rusk, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,351,112, 18 May 1980

Gross USA:

$15,795,189

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$15,795,189

Company Credits

Production Co:

United Artists, Huka Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1