Cowboys & Indians Magazine Talks Jesse James and Alberta

The September 2007 issue of Cowboys & Indians features a lengthy article on Brad Pitt, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, and filming in Alberta. The Magazine also talks with world-renowned, Alberta-based horse wrangler, John Scott.



From the article:

"Yeah, I'd say he's just a wonderful guy for that part," says John Scott, the production's head wrangler, who first worked with Pitt about 12 years earlier on the set of Legends of the Fall. "He's just a wonderful man, period."

Pitt barely had any experience at all with horses before Legends, recalls Scott, who was head wrangler on that film too -- also shot in Alberta. "But he was so utterly determined that he was riding extremely well by the time he went to camera," says the veteran Canadian horseman.

and...

Reuniting with the actor several years later to prep him for another saddle-bound shoot on Jesse James, Scott notes that it was like deja vu--sort of. "He was the same easygoing, charitable, well-mannered guy with the same work ethic. And he hadn't done much riding since Legends, so it was like another crash course. But I think he was facing at least 10 times more pressure and stress during the filming of Jesse James than when we last worked together and he was still just kind of starting up."

The magazine also discusses the real Jesse James including some of the actual locations he left his impressions upon. Some of these include St. Joseph, Missouri where the house that James was allegdly shot in still stands, the James Farm in Kearney, Missouri, and Northfield, Minnesota, where the James-Younger gang met its demise.

If you can't locate a copy on the magazine shelf of your local bookstore, you may be able to order a back issue at the official website. At some point they may have a digital version on their website, though currently it looks like the Archive section is temporarily offline.

Broken Trail and Wounded Knee Win Emmy Awards

Congratulations to all the cast and crew involved with the making of the filmed-in-Alberta movies, Broken Trail and Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.

Broken Trail won at the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Miniseries, while Outstanding Made for Television Movie went to Wounded Knee. Broken Trail was also recognized through the talents of Robert Duvall, who won for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries or Movie while Thomas Haden Church won for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie.

Wounded Knee has received 6 Emmy Awards in total, while Broken Trail has received 4.

You can check out the full list of winners at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences website.

Canadians can order the DVDs at the Amazon.ca links on the side of this blog.

New Jesse James Video Clips

Thanks to JoBlo.com, we're made aware of new video clips from The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford posted over at RopeOfSilicon.com.



You can check out the video clips at this link. (Flash is required.)

Jesse James Website Updated

The official website for the upcoming Warner Bros. picture, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, has been updated.

Head over to the site to discover and download photos, desktop wallpaper, the teaser trailer, instant messaging buddy icons, and film info.

Jesse James Tour Coming To Edmonton

The Edmonton Sun reports that Fort Edmonton Park will begin offering wagon tours where key scenes from The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford were filmed. The article states the tours will run from September 17 through September 22. No word if there will be more tours. From the article:

It will include “behind-the-scenes stories, little known facts and insider information about the film location,” Jan Archbold, a city spokesman, said today.

“We had people asking us, ‘So, where did they shoot and what did they do?’ They had all of these questions about the use of an Edmonton attraction in a movie,” Archbold told Sun Media, explaining where the idea for the tours came from.

The flick – premiering in select markets Sept. 21 – tells the story of how James died at the hands of Robert Ford, portrayed by Casey Affleck. Pitt stars as James. Filming began in southern Alberta in August 2005, before moving north to Fort Edmonton Park.

Archbold said tour highlights will include the train cars refurbished for the movie and McDougall’s General Store on 1885 Street where a robbery scene was filmed.

Visitors will also be shown where the shell of James’ home was constructed on 1885 Street. It was strictly a movie prop for outdoor scenes and has since been torn down.

“There were a number of shots of Brad Pitt on the veranda of this house, and you’ll be able to know where it would have been.”

The Kenneth McDonald house, also on 1885 Street, was used as the interior of James’ home.

You can read the full article at the link above.

Image: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Jesse James To Open Calgary International Film Festival

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford will open the 2007 Calgary International Film Festival. From the press release:

The film will be presented at the American Express Opening Night Gala on the eve of the Festival September 20, 2007.

“CIFF will be the second Festival in Canada to see this film after the Toronto International Film Festival,” explained CIFF’s Executive Director Jacqueline Dupuis. “This is truly a coup for Calgary and a testament to the people of Alberta and the Alberta film industry.” Dupuis expressed her thrill that Warner Bros. is giving CIFF the opportunity to share this remarkable cinematic achievement with a Calgary audience, many of whom worked on the film while it was being shot in Alberta during the fall of 2005.

The press release briefly mentions some location information:

A drama filmed in the spectacular landscapes of Alberta, the film highlights the expansive prairies of the south and snowcapped peaks of Kananaskis, doubling for the American frontier circa 1881. Authentic period architecture at Fort Edmonton and Calgary’s Heritage Park, as well as the talents of the Alberta film industry, such as horse wrangler John Scott, are highlighted in this critically acclaimed film.

You can read the full press release at the link above.

Image: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Days of Heaven Criterion DVD

On September 18, The Criterion Collection will be releasing Days of Heaven, the visually stunning 1978 Terrence Malick film shot in Alberta starring Richard Gere, Sam Shepard, and Brooke Adams. Days of Heaven uses Alberta's southern prairie scenery as a dreamlike backdrop for the tale of 2 Chicago residents who pursue wheat harvesting in Texas after fleeing a crime.

More information can be found at the official website of The Criterion Collection.

I am a big fan of Malick's work and highly recommend his films. His use of great actors, incredible scenery, and outstanding music qualifies him as one of America's modern day cinema masters. Opponents will argue his films look like nature documentaries. I disagree. His shots of nature signifies the sometimes-forgotten relationships humanity has between our surroundings, the planet, and ourselves.

The Days of Heaven trailer:



You can support this blog by ordering the film at the links below.

Aint It Cool News Reviews Jesse James

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford gets some reviews from the folks over at Aint It Cool News.

Harry Knowles writes:

Brad’s Jesse James is a squirrelly character. He observes the room he’s in, studying anyone in it and their every move. And everyone else reacts to him – as if he’s a rattlesnake. They become still and cautious. There’s respect and fear. Nobody wants to get bit, but they all know if they spend too long with him, it’ll be an inevitability.

However, as great as Brad is as Jesse James – the actor to watch and marvel at in this film is Casey Affleck.

I know – that sounds astonishing, but it is absolutely the god’s own truth. Casey Affleck delivers the single best performance that I’ve seen thus far this year.

You can read the rest of Harry's review at this link.