3:10 to Yuma (1957)

Shades of gray in characterizations make it an interesting study of good vs. evil...

3:10 TO YUMA is a well crafted psychological western with the emphasis on the tense relationship between bad guy GLENN FORD, a killer and a thief, and upstanding good man VAN HEFLIN, struggling to keep his ranch going during a drought and putting food on the table for his wife and two kids.

The focus is really on whether or not Ford can smoothtalk his way out of his predicament, handcuffed and ready to be taken off to jail on the 3:10 to Yuma if Heflin gets his way. Heflin takes on the assignment reluctantly but he's determined not to let Ford get away with murder.

How the situation is resolved is enough to keep the viewer glued to the action, however slow paced some of it is. Director Delmer Daves gets the most suspense out of the film's last ten minutes, when you don't know what to expect in the way of a satisfying conclusion.

However, there are some script problems with the ending that didn't satisfy me as to the motivations of Glenn Ford's character, as well as Van Heflin's solid citizen. It seemed a bit rushed and unbelievable in how the score was settled, with a convenient thunderstorm assuring us that Van's ranch would survive the drought and he'd go home to his wife and kids with new respect.

Whatever weaknesses in the script, there's no doubt that Ford and Heflin are at the top of their powers as the leads who remain the focal point of the story. They give mesmerizing performances.

Summing up: Not perfect by any means, but good, solid performances from the entire cast is a big help. Very watchable. Frankie Laine does a nice job on the title song in true 50's style.
July 6, 2008

Ford & Heflin try and make the 3:10 to Yuma

Perhaps due to the recent success of the remake of this short story by Elmore Leonard, this re-issue of the '57 classic western starring Glenn Ford and Van Heflin was released. For students of screenwriting both versions offer an important lesson in the "less is more" axiom. The original was a taut, short (barely over 90 minutes) tale that concentrated on its 2 main characters whereas the recent remake offers too many characters and subplots that makes this remake not as appealing as the original did. Also the characterizations of the 2 characters are quite different from the original. Whereas Ford is shown as a bad guy who only draws when confronted, Crowe in the same role, is a Bible quoting psychotic who will shoot on mere provocation when crossed. Also the farmer character as played by Heflin is now a disabled Civil war veteran who is burdened by marital problems with his wife. Also the ending has been drastically changed in the remake and a very unsatisfactory, nonsensical one at that!! I've been taken to task for my criticism of the remake but I will hold steadfast to my opinion that if you build up sympathy for a character in a film--you don't kill him off unless there is a plausible reason for it which the remake did not have. So do see this classic Western, because you'll finally appreciate what a fine under-rated actor Ford was in comparison to Russell Crowe. June 18, 2008

Gritty Adult and Unique Western, Still Stands Up, Ford is Exellent

Glenn Ford is at his best as he subtly underplays a highly intelligent, sophisticated yet violent outlaw that seems to move at his own pace regardless of the action of others or time or circumstances. His character, Ben Wade, is one of the most unique individuals particularly in westerns, as he is a man of fine tastes, extraordinary courage mixed with a total lack of alacrity about whether he could be caught or killed. The fact that he can and does become violent enough to kill a man and whomever is in his way is oddly inconsistent with his cerebral abilities indicating that he could have had a highly successful life without crime. Van Heflin plays what is almost a stereotype for him as a less powerful and charismatic hero as his vintage role in the 1953 western "Shane" but Heflin's strong yet subdued principled character works well against Ford as he accepts the difficult mission, due to economic desperation and maybe because it is the right thing to do, to deliver the captured Wade to Yuma in time for the train. The interplay between the two characters makes the film as Ford's character sees positives in Heflin's struggling life with a supportive wife and family trying to scratch it out on a ranch that is on the verge of failure yet is owned, at least for the time being by Heflin. The film captures Ford's quiet and interested reflection that Heflin may have what he was always seeking, something concrete and real not just a life of escapism and it just about seems to amuse Ford with the thought. Ford's character is continuously fascinating, he is the legendary killer Ben Wade but he has excellent table manners, is particular about what he eats and even in the comfort he seeks. The drama builds as Heflin and his party, with Ford in tow, are being tracked by Ford's extremely violent killers led by actor Richard Jaeckel. The end is the typical confrontation in all westerns but much more realistic than its remake and a very satisfying film. One of the most intriguing westerns ever made due to the uniqueness and complexity of the Ben Wade character played by the great, and often under appreciated, Glenn Ford.
April 9, 2008

Great Classic

The origional 3:10 to Yuma is a great classic western. Not quite as much action,but Glen Ford is the greatest. April 6, 2008

Hard to Beat the Original 3:10

I own both versions of 3:10 to Yuma. The remake has more action and better special effects. But the original 3:10 is more believable and has better developed characters. Both films are worth adding to your DVD library. And as usual Amazon offered the best price. April 5, 2008

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