"Outlaw Bride"

Based on a true story

Annie Ralston James

Annie Ralston was a sheltered, refined young woman born to a wealthy, slaveholding father in Independence Missouri in 1846. Educated in the safety and comfort of the finest East Coast schools, she returns home in 1864 near the end of the Civil War, to a world gone mad with violence and retribution. At a family wedding she becomes reacquainted with Frank James, whom she hasn't seen in years. Frank never paid much mind to the freckle-faced little girl who used to follow him around, but is quickly smitten by the beautiful, thoughtful - and incredibly naive - young woman she's become. Little does Annie know that Frank and his younger brother Jesse are in service with the notorious vigilante, William Quantrill - inventor of modem guerrilla warfare.

When the war ends with the South's defeat and humiliation, the common people of Missouri find themselves starving and dispossessed by merciless Union banks. Driven by necessity, with skills forged by war, Jesse and Frank James decide to strike back the only way they know how, becoming the first, and most famous of all American outlaws.

Hopelessly in love, believing in the righteousness of their cause, Annie casts her lot with Frank. But this is only the beginning of this amazing woman’s journey as, over the next seventeen years, she grows from supporter to active member to master strategist of the gang, building and sustaining their image as popular heroes. Unfortunately, neither Annie nor Frank can control the hot-headed Jesse. Unable to set aside his war-time rage, Jesse commits a series of unjustifiable, cold-blooded murders, turning public opinion against them, sealing his own fate, and forcing Annie to make the gut-wrenching choice between loyalty to the James/Younger gang, or saving her family and soul.

There are few successful Second Acts in American history. Annie Ralston James, a woman of extraordinary courage, intelligence and - ultimately - grace, earned hers.