The central themes of 3:10 to Yuma may seem as old and corny as a pair of moldy chaps – one man standing up against injustice, the need for heroism, a son’s lack of admiration for his father and a bad guy who might just have an ounce of good in him. But James Mangold’s remake of the 1957 movie (which was based on Elmore Leonard’s short story) brings a surprisingly fresh feel to one of film’s oldest genres.
Rancher Dan Evans (played by Christian Bale) is a civil war veteran who’s under continuing pressure from the profiteering railroad company to move off his land, while desperately trying to provide for his family as well. One day, while herding cattle with his son, Evans stumbles upon the robbery of a railway wagon by the infamous Arizona outlaw Ben Wade (played by Russell Crowe) – forever entwining their fates.
The ability to play a charismatic and menacing antagonist comes naturally to Crowe. His character, when captured, is forcefully escorted by Evans to the eponymous train to Yuma prison, with Wade’s bloodthirsty gang following in hot pursuit. The film plays with traditional genre devices, but the characters have more depth and are more finely drawn than the usual stereotypical cowboys. Westerns have lacked vitality for a number of years – it’s somewhat ironic that the genre has been brought back to life by remaking a forgotten film. Simon Fowler
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