The latest iteration of the story is 'American Outlaws', a red-blooded B-style shoot-'em-up that offers little in the way of historical accuracy and even less in the way of storytelling elegance, but does serve up plenty of action and lots of fun.

Every few years, we see a new cinematic version of the life of James, a former Confederate raider who became a folk hero after he turned to banditry following the war. The legend of Jesse James is one of those stories that people just never seem to get tired of.

Frank James stated that Jesse did kill Major Johnston in battle. There are conflicting accounts as to the level of involvement the James and Younger brothers had in these massacres. Later he and his group overran a company of Union soldiers and civilians in the Baxter Springs Massacre where over 100 men were killed, many as they were trying to surrender. William Quantrill also participated in the Lawrence Massacre. Over 100 Union soldiers were gunned down and many of the wounded executed, including Major Johnston. The guerrillas quickly overran the Union force. Anderson and Johnston's forces squared off in a open field. All but one were executed and their bodies mutilated. Twenty-four uniformed, but unarmed, Union soldiers were also captured in Centralia, Missouri by Anderson and his men. Anderson carried out the Lawrence Massacre in Kansas where upwards of 150-200 unarmed men and boys were executed and over 100 buildings burned. The Brothers actually rode with notorious leaders like 'Bloody Bill' Anderson and William Quantrill.

The guerrilla leader the Frank and Younger Brothers ride with, 'Captain Malcolm' is a fictional character.

Torn by Billy Wood-Smith