The relentless expansion of the railroad pushes westward, forcing people off their land as it goes. When the mother of Jesse and Frank James is victimized by a ruthless landowner called "Barshee" (Brian Donlevy), the brothers begin a campaign against the railway company. Following a familiar Robin Hood formula, Tyrone Power and Henry Fonda target the trains, but with a specific code: they avoid injuring anyone or taking items of personal significance. They simply seize money that Donald Meek ("McCoy") and his railroad will eventually have to reimburse. Their efforts are encouraged by an eager local journalist, "Maj. Cobb" (Henry Hull), who attempts to paint them as heroes rather than outlaws, which contributes to their initial success before the military intervenes. This situation frustrates the fair-minded marshal "Wright" (Randolph Scott), who desires a proper trial for those involved. Power embodies the leading man persona effectively in this film, but Fonda’s performance feels underwhelming; I would have preferred Walter Brennan or Arthur Hunnicutt in the role of “Cobb.” Meek delivers a strong portrayal as the unpleasant and small-minded tycoon responsible for most people—myself included—supporting the James brothers. The movie relies too much on lengthy conversations, with surprisingly little action to balance it out, and the color photography seems to detract from any sense of realism in the narrative. While visually appealing, with excellent costumes and design, the conclusion encapsulates the film’s shortcomings: a legendary story explored only at a surface level, seemingly prioritizing commercial appeal over depth.

Source on TMDB