Despite being the film that inspired one of the most celebrated Westerns ever made, the original 3:10 to Yuma doesn’t get anywhere close to the appreciation it deserves. Directed by James Mangold, the 2007 version of 3:10 to Yuma starred Russell Crowe and Christian Bale as an unlikely duo forced to work together against a ruthless gang of train robbers.
The iconic Western sees Crowe step into the role of Ben Wade, the leader of the outlaws perpetrating the crimes seen in the film. But despite his villainous nature, he winds up being a co-protagonist in the story, as a double-cross and his early arrest results in the character joining forces with Bale’s Dan Evans to apprehend his cohorts.
The adventure shared by Bale and Crowe’s characters culminated in 3:10 to Yuma becoming a Western favorite, and a movie that’s frequently cited as one of the greatest Westerns of the 21st century so far. That’s a fair ᴀssessment, but it seems that the level of praise it gets isn’t typically extended to the original movie.
Like The Remake, 3:10 To Yuma Has All-Time Great Performances From Its Two Stars
3:10 To Yuma Is One Of Glenn Ford’s Best Western Performances
One of the elements of the remake that gets so much attention is the dynamic enjoyed by Russell Crowe and Christian Bale, who made for a perfect pairing, with both putting in great performances as the two main characters. But it’s important to note that the original movie delivered on this area as well in the form of Hollywood A-listers Glenn Ford and Van Heflin.
When 3:10 to Yuma was released, Western movie icon Glenn Ford had a reputation for playing down-to-earth good guys, an image that’s consistent with how people saw him decades later as Jonathan Kent in Superman. But Glenn Ford subverted that perception in spectacular fashion in 3:10 to Yuma when he played Ben Wade, displaying a reprehensible side rarely seen of the actor in the 1950s.
The range displayed by Glenn Ford goes to show that the actor is easily one of the best actors of the 1950s. But he didn’t carry 3:10 to Yuma; Van Heflin, a talented actor in his own right, delivered a thoughtful portrayal of the conscientious Dan Evans, who wants to earn money without violating his deeply-held principles.
The Original 3:10 To Yuma Has One Of The Best Western Villains
Ben Wade Isn’t A True Villain In The Remake
Dan Evans has the better character arc in the original 3:10 to Yuma, but that doesn’t stop Glenn Ford from stealing the show in multiple scenes. The unapologetic greed and wickedness of his take on Ben Wade are what make him so fun to watch, and it allows him to serve as the perfect foil to Evans – and in doing so, motivates him to see his mission through.
Like the remake, the 1957 film goes to great pains to effectively show what makes Wade the person he is in the film, but it doesn’t try to change him. This version of Wade having a change of heart wouldn’t have felt believable in any case. That’s a decidedly different approach from what the remake does, as it actually redeems the character.
The 3:10 to Yuma Remake Erased One Of The Biggest Themes Of The Original Film
Another reason to watch the original 3:10 to Yuma pertains to what’s missing from the remake. Although many critics see 3:10 to Yuma as a situation where the remake is better, it’s important to note that it doesn’t make the original obsolete in any way; it has its own charm, one that’s actually lost in the Mangold version.
Whereas the 2007 movie does more to give depth to Ben Wade, the 1957 film is more interested in the moral dilemma of Dan Evans, and uses that to create one of the most memorable Western protagonists and a character that’s incredibly easy to root for.
It also complicates that journey by using the Ben Wade character as a test of his will and moral forтιтude. He promises Dan riches that greatly outweigh the reward money.
3:10 to Yuma makes it abundantly clear that Ben needs money for his family and livelihood, and gives him a way to accomplish that goal through the capture of Ben Wade’s gang. It also complicates that journey by using the Ben Wade character as a test of his will and moral forтιтude. He promises Dan riches that greatly outweigh the reward money.
3:10 to Yuma, in turn, gives Dan every reason to give in. However, he resists that temptation at every turn. The sense of idealism that permeates throughout the story and propels Dan Evans to the ending he receives at the end of the film is a big part of what makes 3:10 to Yuma so special and a joy to experience.
