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This is a 2007 colour remake of the 1957 B&W film of the same name. Bale plays a struggling small time Arizona rancher in the railroad expansion era after the Civil War. Crowe is a notorious bandit boss, who's captured after robbing a stagecoach carrying the railroad's money. However, it's a hard day's ride to deliver Crowe to a secure carriage on the 3:10 train travelling to Yuma prison, and Crowe's crew are in pursuit. So, the railroad are willing to pay high for help in bringing Crowe in for a salutory showtrial & hanging. By volunteering to help, Bale sees a golden chance to free his family from debt & the eviction threats of the railroad, and to win some respect from his 14y.o. son. Having pledged himself, he sticks to his task, no matter the personal cost. The glory of the 1957 film was a slowly-building crescendo of action, leading to a superb battle of wits between Glenn Ford & Van Heflin in a hotel room overlooked by bandit sharpshooters, before the deadly walk to the train. For this to work, Ford & Heflin had to be a near match in hardness, ability, and intelligence. In the 2007 remake, Bale's character has been made weaker than Van Helfin portrayal, partly to provide clearer motivation. On the other hand, Crowe is lightning with a pistol, and a very strong character, whose hard but likeable exterior conceals a highly intelligent empathy, with which he can either sympathise with Bale's predicament, or ruthlessly exploit the psychological weaknesses of his victims. Such an inequality in ability means that the rivalry of the original film is mostly lost, and there is no real attempt to recreate its greatest scene. There are some compensations for the weakening of the personal duel element. The minor characters have more prominence: Bale's son, Crowe's lieutenant Prince, & the Pinkerton railroad agent. The action is also opened up to give more of a revisionist historical feel: exploited Chinese workers, and tales of massacres of native American counterbalance an Indian raid. However, the biggest compensation comes in the final walk to the train, where Crowe is so confident of escape that he feels he can take time out to help Bale achieve his aim. The dramatic shootout here is a bonus over 1957. Overall, this is a good 7/10 film. However, it lacks the dramatic focus, careful pacing, and superlative final act of the original 9/10 film. Read full review
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A great remake for the director of Logan, great action and riveting storyline a must for fans of Westerns
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Saw this film years ago and enjoyed it!!! Now can watch it on DVD anytime!! 😊two good actors!!
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good cowboy type film, we were glad it did not spoil the original film
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Really great film
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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