NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

Twilight Time have put Nicholas Ray's The True Story of Jesse James to Blu-ray. It's on a dual-layered Blu-ray in 1080P with, their usual, a high bitrate. It is in the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio and looks like an update from the old, single-layered, DVD. Colors get bolder and richer and the image seems to have some blue-leaning. But the overall appearance in HD is a leap beyond the pale, earthy brown, DVD's visuals. The Blu-ray shows more information in the frame on all 4 edges and there is grain texture support.

One person in email disagrees: "I can't agree with you on your TRUE STORY OF JESSE JAMES Twilight Time review, at all. It's hard to tell from the screen caps alone, because I don't remember the film's sequence order well enough (for one thing), but at the very least, they used a severely faded reel 1 as a source compared to the original reel 1 source (if the first caps are from reel 1). And the balance of the film, in general, shows way more dye loss/fading and a bad attempt at color correction in the remastering than the old DVD. Look at the skies, too. The colors aren't "bolder and richer" – the image is "brighter". That's my opinion as someone doing restoration work.

The last new print I saw of that film (circa 2003 or 2004) was struck from a fading element, probably a dupe negative, though it could have been right off the camera negative. And I'm sure this is the same source. It really needs digital restoration, and it hasn't received it – it's pinkish and pale and bad. I'd watch my DVD over this any day. "  (thank you)

The film is presented in the option of a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel (24-bit) track or a similarly encoded 5.1 surround bump - both in the original English language. There are aggressive effects from gunfire to galloping horses. There is some minor separation in the surround.  The film features a boisterous score by Leigh Harline (The Farmer's Daughter, No Down Payment, Pickup on South Street, 23 Paces to Baker Street, House of Bamboo, Broken Lance) that supports the film's action.  It is also available in an isolated option. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles on this Region FREE Blu-ray.

For supplements, Twilight Time include only a newsreel and trailer as did the 2007 Fox DVD. No commentary unfortunately, but there is the aforementioned isolated music track and the package has liner notes by Julie Kirgo.

The True Story of Jesse James is not mentioned in the director's most iconic work but it's a very good western with some weaknesses. The Twilight Time Blu-ray presentation is an update over the old DVD and the film appeals to fans of the genre.

Trivia: Although Nicholas Ray was initially reluctant to remake the 1939 film, he became intrigued by the idea of casting Elvis Presley--whom he thought had the potential to be "a new James Dean"--as Jesse James. After he had signed his contract, it became quickly clear that the studio had always intended to cast Robert Wagner, who was under contract and being built by the studio into a star. However, Ray did have his way in casting Hope Lange as James's wife; the studio had wanted Joanne Woodward.