The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford Budget
DramaWestern2h 40mUpdated
Synopsis
Taking place in Missouri in the early 1880s, the film dramatizes the last seven months in the life of famed outlaw Jesse James, beginning with the Blue Cut train robbery of 1881 and culminating in his assassination at the hands of Robert Ford the following April. In the time between these two fateful events, the young and jealous Ford befriends the increasingly mistrustful outlaw, even as he plots his demise.
What is the budget of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford?
"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," a drama released in 2007, was directed by Andrew Dominik and stars Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck. The production budget was $30,000,000, placing it in the mid-budget range for drama productions of its era.
Key Budget Allocation Categories
While specific budget breakdowns are not publicly available, typical cost drivers for a drama production like this include:
- Above-the-Line Talent: Drama films live or die on the strength of their performances.
- Location Filming & Period Production Design: Authentic locations , whether contemporary or historical , require scouting, permits, travel, lodging, and often significant dressing to match the story's time period.
- Post-Production, Color Grading & Score: The editorial process for dramas is typically longer than genre films, with careful attention to pacing and tone.
What were the major cost factors in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford?
Several factors contributed to the overall production costs of "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford."
- Above-the-Line Talent: Drama films live or die on the strength of their performances.
- Location Filming: Authentic locations , whether contemporary or historical , require scouting, permits, travel, lodging, and often significant dressing to match the story's time period.
- Post-Production: The editorial process for dramas is typically longer than genre films, with careful attention to pacing and tone.
How Does The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford's Budget Compare to Similar Films?
At $30,000,000, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford sits in the mid-budget range. Here is how it compares to productions with a similar budget:
- A Hologram for the King (2016): Budget $30,000,000, Worldwide Gross $9,169,507
- A Lot Like Love (2005): Budget $30,000,000, Worldwide Gross $42,886,719
- Big Momma's House (2000): Budget $30,000,000, Worldwide Gross $173,959,438
- Crazy Rich Asians (2018): Budget $30,000,000, Worldwide Gross $238,539,198
- Doomsday (2008): Budget $30,000,000, Worldwide Gross $22,472,631
The median budget for wide-release drama films in the 2000s ranges from $30 to 80M for mid-budget to $150M+ for tentpoles.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford Box Office Performance
"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" earned $3,909,149 domestically and $14,711,793 worldwide at the box office. Against a production budget of $30,000,000, the film faced challenges in theatrical release. Home video, streaming, and ancillary revenue may have contributed to its overall performance.
A film typically needs to earn approximately twice its production budget to cover marketing and distribution costs. For "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," that break-even threshold was roughly $60,000,000. With worldwide earnings of $14,711,793, the film did not reach break-even in theatrical release.
- Production Budget: $30,000,000
- Worldwide Gross: $14,711,793
- Net Return: −$15,288,207
- ROI: approximately -51%
At -51%, "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" did not recoup its production budget through theatrical release alone.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford Production History
Filming began on August 29, 2005, in Calgary. Filming also took place in other parts of Alberta, including the McDougall Church in Morley, Alberta, McKinnon Flats, Heritage Park, the Fairmont Palliser Hotel, the Kananaskis area, several private ranches and the historical Fort Edmonton Park. The historical town of Creede, Colorado was recreated at a cost of $1 million near Goat Creek in Alberta.
The music for the film was composed by Australian musicians Nick Cave and Warren Ellis who had collaborated previously to create the award-winning score for the Australian film The Proposition (2005). Nick Cave has a minor part in the latter part of the film. He plays a strolling balladeer in a crowded bar performing "The Ballad of Jesse James", a folk song which describes Robert Ford as a coward, unaware that Ford himself is present.
Awards and Recognition
Nominated for 2 Oscars. 25 wins & 69 nominations total
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
- San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award for Best Film
- National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor: Casey Affleck
- Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor , Motion Picture: Casey Affleck
Critical Reception
Brian Tallerico of UGO gave the film an "A" and said that it is "the best western since Unforgiven." Tallerico also said, "Stunning visuals, award-worthy performances, and a script that takes incredibly rewarding risks, Jesse James is a masterpiece and one of the best films of the year." Kurt Loder of MTV said, "If I were inclined to wheel out clichés like 'Oscar-worthy', I'd certainly wheel them out in support of this movie, on several counts."
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did The Assassination of Jesse James cost to make?
The production budget was $30,000,000. Warner Bros., Plan B Entertainment, and Scott Free Productions co-financed the film, with Brad Pitt's Plan B providing a significant portion of the equity and creative oversight.
How much did The Assassination of Jesse James earn at the box office?
The film grossed $3,909,149 domestically and $11,100,000 internationally, for a worldwide total of approximately $15,000,000. Warner Bros. opened the film on a platform release pattern that never expanded beyond 301 theaters at its widest point.
Who directed The Assassination of Jesse James?
Andrew Dominik directed the film, his second feature after Chopper (2000). Dominik would later direct Killing Them Softly (2012, also with Brad Pitt) and Blonde (2022, the Marilyn Monroe biopic with Ana de Armas).
Who stars in The Assassination of Jesse James?
Brad Pitt stars as Jesse James and Casey Affleck plays Robert Ford, the title coward. The ensemble includes Sam Rockwell, Jeremy Renner, Paul Schneider, Garret Dillahunt, Sam Shepard, and Mary-Louise Parker. Hugh Ross provides the period-appropriate narration.
Where was The Assassination of Jesse James filmed?
Principal photography took place across Alberta and Manitoba, Canada, taking advantage of provincial production incentives and prairie landscapes that doubled for Missouri and Minnesota in the 1881 to 1882 setting. Edmonton served as the production hub.
What did critics think of The Assassination of Jesse James?
Critical reception was strong, with a 75% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 68 out of 100 score on Metacritic. Roger Deakins received an Academy Award nomination for Cinematography, and Casey Affleck received a Best Supporting Actor nomination.
Was The Assassination of Jesse James a box office bomb?
Yes. Against the $30,000,000 production budget and an estimated $20,000,000 in marketing spend, the worldwide gross of $15,000,000 represented a substantial theatrical loss. Strong home video, cable broadcast, and growing cult reputation have brought the film into modest aggregate recoupment.
How long is The Assassination of Jesse James?
The theatrical cut runs 160 minutes, an unusually long runtime for a commercial Western that contributed to Warner Bros.' difficulty in scaling the release. Andrew Dominik's original cut ran approximately four hours and was reduced under studio pressure.
How does Jesse James compare to other revisionist Westerns?
The film sits in the tradition of revisionist Westerns including McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971), The Long Riders (1980), and Unforgiven (1992, $14,400,000 budget, $159,200,000 worldwide). Its commercial profile tracks closest to Sam Peckinpah's Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973).
Where can I stream The Assassination of Jesse James?
The film is available on Max (formerly HBO Max) as part of the Warner Bros. Discovery catalog. It is also available for digital rental and purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Build your own production budget
Create professional budgets with industry-standard feature film templates. Real-time collaboration, no spreadsheets.
