Pitt is electrifying as the charismatic family man who thinks nothing of murdering friends and associates to quell his paranoia.

Opening with the Blue Cut train robbery that ended Jesse’s villainous partnership with his brother Frank (Sam Shepard), the bulk of the film charts the disintegration of the James gang, and Jesse’s bemused, fractious, fatal relationship with Bob Ford.

Dominik devotes time to the other gang members and their in-fighting, drawing first rate supporting performances from Jeremy Renner as Jesse’s cousin Wood, Paul Schneider as the disruptive Dick Liddle, and a knockout turn from Sam Rockwell as Bob’s brother Charley, a man equally in awe of Jesse but lacking his brother’s twisted intelligence.

More than a simple friendship and betrayal yarn, this is myth debunking to match the mastery of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance or The Outlaw Josey Wales.

Characters are pale, grimy and underfed, shoot-outs clumsy and messy and James not a dime novel legend but a manic-depressive not above torturing a teenage boy. Authenticity was clearly the watchword.

Pitt’s magnetic performance as the contradictory gunman and Affleck’s as the disillusioned and delusional Ford crackle with affection, resentment, and fear.

While Pitt packs the movie star muscle required to wear Jesse's gunbelt, Affleck is a revelation as the creepy, tortured wannabe gunman obsessed with James since childhood.

This allure of fame is a key theme, but the cold hand-to-mouth, cocked pistol reality of outlaw life bleeds off the screen.

Violent and moving, Dominik’s screenplay has that Deadwood-style, guttural yet eloquent dialogue, and the tragedy plays on the Missouri plains' epic stage, beautifully captured by Roger Deakins’ haunting and magisterial cinematography.

Shot two years ago and wrestled from four hours to two and a half by its director, The Assassination of Jesse James… is as long as its title, but worth the wait.

Paced like a Terrence Malick or Stanley Kubrick film it will not appeal to everyone, but for those accustomed to using their eyes, ears and brains at the movies this is a magnificent experience.

Just see it on the biggest screen you can find.

Rob Daniel