Welcome to this Wednesday’s Blue Light Special which is an installment of the Original vs. Remake series. This month’s movie is 3:10 to Yuma. As usual, I will do the original. On Friday, Tiffany A. White will do the remake.
The Movie
3:10 to Yuma was released August 7, 1957. It was based on a short story of the same title by Elmore Leonard.
The movie starred Van Helfin as Dan Evans and Glenn Ford as Ben Wade. It was directed by Delmer Daves, who was known for his work on Westerns. This film features stunningly crisp black and white cinematography, which was done by Charles Lawton, Jr.
Summary:
A timid rancher who is down on his luck finds himself responsible for making sure a smooth-tongued outlaw does not escape justice.
Watch the trailer:
The Conflict
I don’t normally do this, but I’d like to talk in detail about the setup of this movie. I think it is a great example of how to set up conflict.
The movie opens with a stagecoach robbery. Dan Evans and his two sons watch the robbery from a distance. Dan does nothing. When his sons ask why, he says taking action would get them killed. The robbery concludes with the murder of one of the victims, and the outlaws take Dan Evans’s horses.
Dan Evans (played by Van Helfin) is a cattle rancher losing his stock to a drought. He could save his stock by paying one of his neighbors $200 to allow the cattle to drink from his spring. Dan, however, does not have this kind of money and knows no way to get it. He is a good, honest man. His flaw is not quite cowardice, but he certainly doesn’t want to take any risks.
The point of view switches to that of the outlaws. They go to the next town and belly up to the bar. They have a conversation which reveals they are highly sought after by law enforcement.
It is also revealed that the leader of the gang, Ben Wade, is a smooth talker. The outlaws ride out of town, agreeing to scatter and meet back up at a location. Ben Wade, the leader of the outlaws, stays behind to seduce the barmaid.
After returning home and saddling up another horse, Dan Evans goes to town to report the robbery and send help to the victims. There, he runs into Ben Wade. With the help of the marshal, Wade is arrested. Evans thinks his part is done and prepares to go home. However, he is offered $200 to escort Wade to a nearby town where he will be put on the 3:10 train to Yuma to face trial.
The conflict is obvious. In order to save his cattle and feed his family, Dan Evans must go against his basic nature and get involved. His prisoner, Ben Wade, is going to do everything in his power to smooth talk Evans into letting him go — including offering him $10,000. And, if that doesn’t work, Wade’s men will try to rescue him.
Dan Evans has taken a risk, and it mushroomed on him. No matter what he does, he’s in danger. So what does he do?
About the Movie
3:10 To Yuma brought the Western genre to a new level of sophistication. Though the movie is obviously a Western because of the setting and because of the character’s costumes, it is more psychological thriller than it is traditional shoot-em-up. The events that unfold could take place in any setting and with any characters.
Ben Wade presented a new kind of villain. He was a fully developed character — not a black and white cut out. Wade pushes Evans to take a stand and to define his own morality.
Unlike most westerns of the day, a great deal of 3:10 To Yuma took place in a closed room. This style of Western became known as a Chamber Western because of the intense psychological conflict between the hero and the villain.
3:10 To Yuma also featured a title song that became a hit of the day. The song’s lyrics were written by Ned Washington and George Duning. It was sung by Frankie Laine. Listen to the song:
The Bottom Line
Will your life be the same if you never see 3:10 To Yuma? Perhaps, but it is worth your time.
The movie is a great example of a protagonist who experiences a change in the way he thinks, which translates into a change in the way he acts. The conflict is amazingly well set up. The characterizations are very well done.
While I consider this a classic, I wonder if it wouldn’t be improved in a remake. The ending of the original was a bit thin and unsatisfying–to me. I will be curious to see what Tiffany thinks about it. Be sure to check out her post this coming Friday.
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So. 3:10 to Yuma. Seen it? Loved it? Hated it? What about Westerns in general? Are you fan?
How to get your hands on 3:10 to Yuma:
Since this is the Blue Light Special, I’ll now tell you where you can find both the movie and the short story.
The short story by Elmore Leonard is available in more than one collection, and I’ve listed two of them:
3:10 to Yuma and Other Stories (Amazon)
The Complete Western Stories of Elmore Leonard (Amazon)
The movie is available for purchase at both iTunes and Amazon. I didn’t find it for rent on streaming video. I ended up obtaining it from our Blockbuster DVD by mail subscription.
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William Simon said:
Hate to admit this, but I have not seen either version. I’ve read the Elmore Leonard story, but have never caught the movies. Have to correct that, I can see….:)
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Catie Rhodes said:
Well, I suspect the Mr. Leonard’s source material is the reason the movie is as good as it is. So you may have already experienced the best part of it all.
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Melinda VanLone said:
I’m sure I’ve seen it, because my dad is addicted to westerns. It’s all he watches. He’s been in heaven since the discovery of the all western cable channel lol. However, I don’t remember it because I usually read a book or tune them out. I’ve never been a big fan of westerns. I think it reminds me too much of living in New Mexico, which I didn’t like very much. Personal issues LOL
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Catie Rhodes said:
Like yours, my daddy LOVES westerns. When I was a kid, he always had his nose in a Louis Lamour western or other western. When I go home to visit, the TV is often set to that all-western channel you mentioned. Like you, I tuned them out. And I am still not a huge fan. But this one did hold my interest.
I do understand what you mean about associating a type of movie (or maybe book, or whatever) with Personal Issues™. I’ve got a few of my own.
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Donna Coe-Velleman said:
I’ve never seen it. I’m not really a fan of westerns but after your description I’m definitely interested. Have to check it out.
Thanks
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Catie Rhodes said:
Like you, I am not a fan of westerns. I can count the westerns I *really* enjoyed on one hand…and have fingers left over. Do check it out. You might be surprised.
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Tim L O'Brien said:
Haven’t seen the original, but I did see the remake. I will have to dive into some of Leonard’s western novels. I love westerns on the big screen as well, and will have to find a copy of the original movie.
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Catie Rhodes said:
I am curious to know what you thought of the remake, Tim. My biggest complaint about the classic was the ending. It was just too neat and tidy. I attributed it to filmmaking standard of the day.
Elmore Leonard is the man whether he’s writing westerns or crime. He just has a unique talent.
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Patrick Thunstrom said:
When I was growing up, there were two things I remember my dad taping for us to watch together: Bonanza and Star Trek. Little wonder I still dig both genres still.
I’ve only seen the new 3:10 to Yuma and it’s definitely on my short list. I’ve never seen the original, though, so I’ll need to hunt it down at some point. Might as well compare them, right?
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Catie Rhodes said:
Bonanza and Star Trek. What a combination. Makes me smile, remembering the stuff my dad and I liked to watch.
You definitely need to watch the original 3:10. If only to see the differences. Thanks for stopping by.
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Tiffany A White said:
I know this may surprise you, but I haven’t seen the original… Are you shocked? LOL
I will say the fact that Elmore Leonard is responsible for this movie has me more interested than I normally would be–I love Justified. Normally, I’m not one for westerns. Any kind of westerns. Cowboys and Aliens is about as western as I like and I only thought that film was okay when so many others raved about it. Now Young Guns, that’s a western I can watch over and over again.
I’m off to watch the remake now for the other half of our series. I hear I’m going to like it. I guess we’ll see…
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Catie Rhodes said:
Stop the presses. Tiffany A. White has not seen the original. I can’t believe that…oh wait, I can. lol
I can’t wait to see what you think of the remake.
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daezarkian said:
Terrific review of a truly classic movie. You hit upon all the reasons I enjoyed it. Elmore Leonard truly is one of our classic American novelists. Even his lesser works are always at least interesting, and 3:10 to Yuma is far from a lesser work.
But, honestly, this is one of the few cases where I liked the remake better…which is why I bugged Tiffany to do this one in the first place. ;D
Great stuff!
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Catie Rhodes said:
Okay. I really want to see the remake now. Thanks for the kind words about my review and thanks for stopping by.
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Patricia Yager Delagrange said:
I did not see the original but I think Russell Crowe is in the remake and I saw that one. I enjoyed it. I’m not much for Westerns but I like Glen Ford. And I loved the line about how his mother (?) fought the Indians for 60 years and then choked to death while eating a piece of lemon pie? OMG, that was too funny. Was it supposed to be?
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Catie Rhodes said:
Well, I laughed about it too. Maybe we are both horrible people. I laugh about a lot of things, though.
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CC MacKenzie said:
Great post and how wonderful to highlight Elmore Leonard. Anything the man wrote is a classic imho. I remember the original – only because my H is a lover of old B&W movies and is a fan of Glen Ford. I actually love westerns especially the Spaghetti’s with Clint Eastwood and the fabulous Lee Van Cleef (I’ve actually based a vampire on Lee Van Cleef – with a few changes.) The music of the Spaghetti’s even now will earworm in my head.
Great post, Catie.
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Catie Rhodes said:
I agree about Elmore. Every writer needs to read him. He write dialogue like nobody’s business. My husband loves the spaghetti western sub genre. The music was awesome.
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CC MacKenzie said:
And I love anything about Texas! Just thought I’d add that useless piece of information!
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Catie Rhodes said:
Being from Texas, so do I. 3:10 to Yuma actually is set in Arizona, but I still love Texas. LOL
I’ll recommend two movies set in Texas (that I really love). One is “The Last Picture Show.” It is not a western but is set in the mid-1950s. Great soundtrack, great directing, great acting. The second movie I recommend is “Lone Star.” It’s not a western either, but it’s a really interesting take on small border town Texas.
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Stacey Joy Netzel said:
I saw the remake, but it was awhile ago, so I don’t remember a lot about it. I must’ve liked it okay because I don’t remember strong feelings the other way. On the subject of westerns, my dad is a HUGE John Wayne fan. He’s probably seen both versions of this movie; I’ll have to ask him if he remembers which one he liked better.
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Catie Rhodes said:
My husband is a huge Clint Eastwood fan. We have seen all of Mr. Eastwood’s westerns. Numerous times. So I know what you mean about The Duke.
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Stacey Joy Netzel said:
Actually, I talked to him and he didn’t even know the Russell Crowe one was a remake. So looks like I’ll need to get him a copy of the original.
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Rhonda Hopkins said:
I love this movie! I haven’t seen the remake – but I’ll probably give it a try sometime. I love westerns. Grew up watching them with my dad.
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Catie Rhodes said:
I would really like to see the original, Rhonda. The classic’s ending left me unsatisfied. I would just like to see what a 21st-century director did with it. What is it about fathers and westerns?
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Julie Glover said:
I’m not a big Western fan, but certain movies from that genre stand out to me: The Searchers, High Noon, Shane,… I haven’t seen 3:10 to Yuma. Frankly, I think the title stinks; it does nothing to pique my interest. So I never bothered to watch it. I believe I’ll add this to my queue, Catie. Thanks!
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Catie Rhodes said:
Like you, I am not a big Western fan. There are very few that I really like. In all, I am glad I watched 3:10 to Yuma. I hope you enjoy it.
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Karen McFarland said:
Hi Catie! I am a lover of westerns. And since I lived twenty years in Arizona, you bet I’ve taken the tour of Old Tucson where I believe most of those westerns were made back in the day. Who could play a part better in a western than Glen Ford. Well other than maybe Clint Eastwood or John Wayne. But wow, what about that log-line. Hello! It says it all in a nutshell. Great lesson there. Thanks Catie for the review. It was exellent. See ya next Wednesday for the Blue Light Special!
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Catie Rhodes said:
Finally, a lover of Westerns! How cool that you lived in Arizona. We have never been, but it looks beautiful. I didn’t realize that the old westerns were filmed in Old Tucson. Glad you enjoyed the review, and thanks for stopping by.
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Louise Behiel said:
I vaguely remember the movie from way back when. and I love the Frankie Laine song. thx for the memories
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Catie Rhodes said:
Glad you enjoyed the song. I wondered if anybody had ever heard it. It surprised me that a song had been made specifically for the movie. They don’t do that so much anymore. Thanks for stopping by.
Pingback: Catching the 3:10 to Yuma | Tiffany A White's Ooo Factor
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Lauralynn Elliott said:
I think I would like this movie. So…should I watch the original or the remake? Or both?
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Catie Rhodes said:
Gosh girl, that’s a hard question. I guess it really depends on how much you like classic movies. This is one of those classics which I felt an update would give new life. But, if you love classic movies, you might end up liking the original more.
What I’d recommend more than anything, since you’re a writer, is to read Elmore Leonard’s short story.
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