AMERICAN OUTLAWS (2001)

Plot:

 

Director:
Les Mayfield (BLUE STREAK) attempts to revamp the Western genre with yet another telling of the Jesse James story. This time around, James (Colin Farrell), older brother Frank (Gabriel Macht), and companion Cole Younger (Scott Caan) have returned from the frontlines of the Civil War. Their peaceful Missouri existence is crudely shattered by the arrival of Thaddeus Rains (Harris Yulin), a railroad tycoon who demands that they give up their land for the railroad's benefit. When the boys refuse to cooperate, Rains turns Allan Pinkerton (Timothy Dalton) on them, resulting in a family tragedy that sparks a rebellion. It isn't long before Jessie, Frank, and Cole are off and running, robbing banks throughout the state in order to cut off the railroad's funding, and using their stolen money to feed the poor. In the meantime, Jessie remains intimate with his one true love, Zee Mimms (Ali Larter), hoping for an end to the madness that surrounds him. Mayfield's film balances comedy and action in equal measure, making for a lighthearted affair, even as the bodies continue to pile. Hollywood newcomer Farrell slips into the role--and accent--of the misunderstood legend with ease, delivering another highly engaging performance.

 

-RottenTomatoes.com

 


Cast/Crew:

 

Written by: Roderick Taylor (story) Roderick Taylor (screenplay)

 

Directed by: Les Mayfield

 

Starring:

 

Colin Farrell .... Jesse James

Scott Caan .... Cole Younger

Ali Larter .... Zerelda 'Zee' Mimms

Gabriel Macht .... Frank James

Gregory Smith .... Jim Younger

Harris Yulin .... Thaddeus Rains

Kathy Bates .... Ma James 

Timothy Dalton .... Allan Pinkerton 

Will McCormack .... Bob Younger

 


Notes:

 

 "An Irish kid from Dublin in the part of Jesse James in a western? It’s foolish!’ Yeah, but that’s why they call it Hollywood". — COLIN FARRELL

 

Colin Farrell and the others of "American Outlaws" had to spend six weeks at a ranch, hanging out with a bunch of Cowboys, learning how to ride horses before they starting shooting the movie. Colin rode a horse named Milagro while learning how to ride, then used the same horse for all of shooting "American Outlaws".

During training Gregory Smith, the youngest of the cast, became so good with a gun the wranglers nicknamed him "Secret Weapon".

Out of 65 days of shooting, 45 where over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

'Colin Farrell' did as many of his own stunts as Les Mayfield would let him do.

 

Official American Outlaws Website

 


Trailers:

 

- Windows Media Player [HIGH]

- Windows Media player [LOW]

 

mymovies.net

 


DVD info:

 

Director: Les Mayfield

Encoding: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other countries. Read more about DVD formats.)

Format: Color, Closed-captioned, DTS Surround Sound, Widescreen, Dolby

Rated: [PG-13]

Studio: Warner Studios

DVD Release Date: June 4, 2002

DVD Features:

Commentary by director Les Mayfield, editor Michael Tronick and co-writer John Rogers

Theatrical trailer(s)

4 Featurettes: The Making of American Outlaws, Creating The Old West. How To Be An Outlaw,and Costuming The Cowboys

Publicity and Storyboard Galleries

DVD ROM features

Widescreen anamorphic format

-Details from Amazon.com