Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that teens may be drawn to this violent, mature Western by star Brad Pitt. Leading up to the titular event, viewers see bleeding wounds and seeping heads, arguments that end in shootouts, fistfights and hostile wrestling, and an intense train robbery. You can also expect some language ("s--t," "pecker," "bitch," etc.), sexual insinuations, cigarette smoking, and hard liquor drinking (the latter are both accurate for the movie's 1880s "Wild West" setting).
Sexual
Content
Men's discussion of "being inside a woman" (with slang references to female genitalia, like "coot") includes reference to a "squaw." Heavy verbal flirting between a man and a married woman. Jesse appears in the tub from the back (no explicit imagery). Sexy feather-fan dance at end of film (no explicit shots, but insinuation as woman teases her male audience).
Violence
The film's frequent violence is awkward rather than exciting, with a focus on its bloody effects. Shootouts are ragged, with many misses and falls, as well as bloody injuries (a couple of overhead shots show bodies with blood pooling from their heads); bullets hit heads, limbs, and chests. Beatings and a shootout during a train robbery. Trying to get information from a boy, Jesse hits him hard and repeatedly. A shootout at the Ford home sends Charlie jumping out the window; Bob shoots Wood in the head. The assassination of Jesse James is long anticipated; after the shooting, his head is shown slamming into the wall, with his body falling to the floor.
Language
Some language sprinkled throughout the film, including "s--t," "pecker," "bastard," "bitch." Reference to a "'"N" word' woman."
Social
Behavior
All of the male protagonists are robbers and killers; women serve only as supportive spouses. Jesse is increasingly paranoid, and Bob is selfish and craven.
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Much drinking and cigarette or cigar smoking by men in saloons. Bob appears stumbling drunk in a saloon.
