3:10
To Yuma (1957)
Sony
Cast:
Glenn Ford, Van Heflin.
Rating:
PG.
Run
time: 92 mins
Genre:
Western
Verdict:
Beautiful
(see rating
system)
It
will be interesting to see what Russell Crowe and Christian
Bale make of this classic 1950s western when their September
2007 version is released.
Whatever
- it's nice just to see westerns still being made!
The
original features some pretty good acting, though it lacks
pace and excitement - funny how much better it seemed when
I was young! A factor probably is the comparison with the
faster, all-action tempo of today's movies. That said, The
classic John Ford/John Wayne movie The
Searchers is a long, often leisurely ride, but it hasn't
dated a bit.
Here,
Van Heflin plays rancher Dan Evans, who stumbles across a
stagecoach holdup while loking for some lost cattle. The outlaw
gang is led by the ruthless Ben Wade (Glenn Ford), who kills
the driver and warns Evans now to interfere. As a precaution,
he takes the horses so Evans and the stagecoach passengers
can't quickly raise the alarm.
After
getting the dust out of thier throats in a newby town saloon
the gang breaks up and plans to meet later. However, entranced
by a lonely saloon girl (Felicia Farr), Wade stays in town
too long and is captured by the sheriff.
As
in High Noon, the town's menfolk lose their nerve when it
comes to getting Wade out of town so he can stand trial. So
Evans and the town drunk agree to help the sheriff for $200
each.
With
the gang in hot pursuit, getting Wade to the 3;10 to Yuma
train that will take him to trial becomes a cat and mouse
game.
The
acting is solid and the restored black and white picture is
good.
