At the end of the Civil War, Frank and Jesse James and other former guerillas who rode with Quantrill and Bill Anderson take the oath of allegiance to the Union. Feeling oppressed by Chicago railroad investors, the James and Younger brothers, Bob and Charlie Ford, Clell Miller and Arch Clements take to robbing banks, trains and coaches, with Pinkerton sworn to bringing them to justice.

Even though, in the film, Jesse's home is shown as a big two-storey house, the original house is in fact much smaller and was located in town. However, the actual house still stands, but has been moved three times to its current location, next to the Patee House in St. Joseph, Missouri. The final scene with Jesse, the chair and picture is exactly how it happened according to Bob Ford. In the original house, there is still a dent and blood stain on the floor where Jesse fell.

Frank James:
What's your plan?


Jesse James:
I'm going to find that painted horse and kill that son of a bitch sitting on its backside. That's my plan.

Performed by Randy Travis