The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid (1972)

I put this on because I’m a native Minnesotan who’s been to Northfield many times, even for Jesse James Days, which are documented in this film. But honestly? I just don’t love 70s auteur filmmaking, and this might be a perfect example of the insane amount of freedom these directors were given in that era - and then did absolutely nothing with it.

The film feels highly influenced by Altman’s MASH, particularly in its approach to action sequences. Everything is gritty and dirty and the action is poorly filmed - just back and forths of people shooting at each other, horses running around, fuzzy camerawork, and butts. I was not impressed with the direction or tone at all.

I get what the filmmakers are trying to say. This is about the fall of the West, Jesse James being stricken with PTSD from the Civil War and stuck in those old ways while civilization slowly tightens its noose around him and the gang - eventually even closing in with Robert Ford. The ironic title is kind of funny, and the movie doesn’t have a whole lot of love for Jesse James. It’s not trying to paint him as some mythic Robin Hood figure robbing from the rich to help the poor. He’s a selfish, mentally ill man fighting demons from the past in a world that no longer accepts him.

But I’ve seen this done so many times, and frankly, I’m just not impressed with this rendition. There are better versions of this story out there.

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