3.10 TO YUMA (2007)

Having just watched the original 1957 version I rewatched the 2007 remake, for comparison.

Unsurprisingly the later film is 30 minutes longer, and more violent - which are not necessarily advantages.  In particular the transportation of Ben to Contention is now full of all manner of shenanigans - involving Ben first escaping, killing some Apache Indians, and then having to be rescued from being hung.  Although all this does detract a little from the basic story, it does allow the relationship between Ben and Dan to develop.

One of the main differences between the two films is that Dan's older son William is now a major character.  He starts off openly contemptuous of his father, for being (as he sees it) such a loser.  He disobeys his father by tagging along, and this creates the opportunity for a very effective payoff at the end.

Acting-wise Christian Bale is fine as Dan, although I think Van Heflin in the original is more believable as a downtrodden rancher.  

In both films I find Ben to be a difficult character to find credible: he's both a ruthless killer, but is capable of a very surprising about-turn at the film's climax.  In this version he is played by Russell Crowe who is far more charismatic than Glenn Ford.

Ben Foster provides solid support as Ben's righthand man who is likely gay and has a thing for Ben (or am I imagining this?).

Where this film really scores over the original is in the climactic action sequences, which are very exciting and beautifully shot (I'm thinking for example of a short sequence of Dan and Ben running through the timber skeletons of some new buildings).  And it all builds to an emotionally satisfying climax.

RATING: ✓ Cheers