Sorry Russell Crowe, the Original ‘3:10 to Yuma’ Is Infinitely Better Than the Remake

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The 2007 adaptation of the film 3:10 to Yuma, released with stellar performances from Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, and Ben Foster, retells the timeless Elmore Leonard story. Interestingly, this remake emerged fifty years after its predecessor, the 1957 movie 3:10 To Yuma, starring Glenn Ford and Van Heflin. Although the 2007 version received much acclaim, it fails to match the weight and impact that the original cast, including Ford, Heflin, and others, delivered on screen many years prior.

2007’s movie “3:10 to Yuma” presents Crowe as Ben Wade, a ruthless bandit chief, while Bale embodies Dan Evans, an ex-soldier managing a ranch in the Arizona Territory of the 1880s. With Wade being apprehended, events unfold that place only Evans in the position to ensure the outlaw reaches the train destined for prison. The film is filled with captivating tension and complex power struggles, offering both thrilling action sequences and compelling dramatic scenes.

Although I found the 2007 adaptation of 3:10 to Yuma quite enjoyable, it’s hard to ignore that the original, starring Glenn Ford and Van Heflin, had some elements that were simply unparalleled. Specifically, Crowe and Bale, who portrayed Ben Wade and Dan Evans in the remake, didn’t quite measure up to their predecessors in terms of chemistry and tension between characters. The subtle interactions they shared and the overall atmosphere were distinctly different from the original film.

Overall, the Original ‘3:10 To Yuma’ (1957) Is a Better Story

In the opening scenes of “3:10 to Yuma” (1957), I found myself bearing witness to an audacious heist by Ben Wade and his notorious gang, who not only robbed a stagecoach but also mercilessly took the life of its driver. Caught in this harrowing spectacle were Dan Evans, his valiant sons Mark and Matthew. Despite our desperate attempts, we were powerless to intervene as Wade’s men made off with our horses. Returning home, I, a hard-pressed rancher named Dan Evans, was somewhat indifferent towards the whole ordeal as I shared the details of the incident with my resilient wife, Alice.

Later, when Wade is arrested in Bisbee, his group disperses, but everyone in town knows they’ll return. Consequently, the authorities seek assistance for transporting Wade to trial. Among the few willing to help is Evans. Although the financial reward plays a significant role, it’s the motivation for him. Initially, they travel together on a stagecoach, managing to elude the gang during their journey to Contention City. Once there, they stay in a hotel room until it’s time to board the train.

In essence, the two films share similar storylines until their conclusions, yet the 2007 adaptation leans more towards violence and action compared to its original, introspective counterpart. Upon reaching the train, both characters, Evans (Van Heflin) and Wade (Glenn Ford), exhibit unwavering integrity. Wade understandably allows Evans to transport him to the train, aware of his ability to escape prison whenever he wishes, while it is crucial for Evans to accomplish his objective as a man of honor.

In the film “3:10 to Yuma,” starring Russell Crowe and Christian Bale, Bale yearns to be a hero while Crowe plays a character ready to go to any lengths to survive. As described by Shawn Levy from The Oregonian, the movie is both stimulating yet its finale feels somewhat hurried and intense.

Glenn Ford Is Captivating as Ben Wade

Making the Audience Like the Villain Even Though they May not Want To

Ben Wade, despite being the head of a bandit group responsible for theft, murder, and numerous other misdeeds, managed to possess an unexpected charm on screen that is often hard to convey when portraying a villain. Conversely, Glenn Ford’s character came off as much more rough and aggressive – a classic embodiment of the adversary.

In Bisbee, Wade makes an appearance at the saloon, radiating charisma and allure. However, it’s during their stay in a hotel room in Contention City that Wade reveals his true captivating nature. Wade engages with Evans, subtly exploiting Evans’ feelings of insecurity as he works to ensure his own escape. Initially, Evans accepted the task to transport Wade because he wanted to support his family financially. As described by Bosley Crowther in his review for The New York Times, “Van Heflin, portraying the hero, perspires and agonizes, building up to the climax with a genuine fear and inner turmoil.

I acknowledge Glenn Ford’s charisma, yet I stand firm even when he tries to negotiate his release. As Crowther put it, Glenn Ford plays his character with an insolent ease.

However, it goes beyond just portraying a villain. Glenn Ford has the ability to make Wade an appealing antagonist, someone whom the audience finds themselves unwittingly supporting. There’s an underlying feeling that Wade and Van Heflin’s character, Evans, share some similarities and might even have a mutual respect for each other to some extent.

Viewers Can Practically Hear the Ticking Clock in 1957’s ‘3:10 To Yuma’

The hotel room scene in Contention City between Ben Wade (Glenn Ford) and Dan Evans (Van Heflin) in the 2007 version of 3:10 to Yuma is one of the most intense sequences, but it’s regrettably shorter than its original counterpart. Consequently, the film falls short due to this omission.

In the film 3:10 to Yuma, the camera zeroes in on Wade, Evans, and a ticking clock as it nears midnight. Casually whistling, Wade appears untroubled. With their banter and a tense standoff of wills, they keep going while the clock relentlessly ticks forward.

In the biography titled “Glenn Ford: A Life“, Glenn Ford’s son Peter revealed that John Barrymore advised Ford early in his career to never reject roles for villainous characters. This advice proved beneficial for Ford, particularly when he portrayed the seductive outlaw in “3:10 to Yuma>”. The performance was so captivating that it created a scene which no other actor, not even Russell Crowe, could surpass.

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2025-02-10 07:02