3:10 to Yuma (1957)
Last Watch Date - December 3, 2024
Total Times Watched - Once
Comments
I didn't know this existed until I was browsing Tubi tonight. I've seen the remake from 2007 and really enjoyed it (maybe I should rewatch it so I can add a mini review..), so I figured I'd check this one out. Sometimes these older 50s movies are too corny or weird to hold up, but a lot of the time, the Westerns are actually pretty solid.
The runtime is around 90 minutes, so it goes along pretty well. There's not a ton that happens, yet there's still a lot to get through. It breezes right along. The characters in this are great. For some reason I also didn't know this was a short story first. GUESS WHAT I'LL BE READING THIS WEEK! Van Heflin is great as Dan, the rancher who has fallen on tough times but really wants to make things right. Glenn Ford is a perfect gang leader. He's poised, confident, and despite being a murderous outlaw, he somehow has a way with words that makes you feel like he's on your side even when he's most definitely NOT. Robert Emhardt is also good as Mr. Butterfield. The rest of the cast isn't on screen as much, but they all play their parts well. Ok, maybe the town drunk was a bit much at times.
Story-wise, this is basically the same as the remake (obviously?). It's a really good story. Short and to the point, no floundering around to have a bunch of extra plotlines for the sake of padding. I can see why this was chosen as a culturally significant movie by the National Film Registry. It is the Wild West encapsulated, even though we all know that's not really quite how the West was.
Recommended?
Yes. This movie is good no matter how old it is.