3.10 TO YUMA (1957)

As I was watching this supposed classic Western I reflected, not for the first time, upon the patience of film audiences back in the day given that there is no action of any consequence until the last reel.  Before then we get to sit through a lot of suspense - can downtrodden rancher Dan successfully get outlaw Ben on the titular train despite Ben's gang being in the way?

It's based on a short story (by Elmore Leonard) and it does feel a mite flimsy as a feature film albeit with a running time of barely 90 minutes, which does include some padding in the early stages.

Van Heflin is well cast as Dan, ably supported by a strong supporting cast, and the whole thing  is well directed by Delmer Daves, with above-average cinematography and score. 

But Glenn Ford as Ben is too likeable in the role (where's Lee Marvin when you need him?), the climactic action isn't quite good enough to justify the lengthy build-up, and we don't get to learn much of the back stories of either Dan or Ben.

So whilst I enjoyed the film I was left a bit sceptical as to its classic status.