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3:10 to Yuma (2007)

Director: James Mangold

Time Out rating

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20 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Times are tough at the ranch for hobbled Civil War vet Christian Bale, a man powerless to stop his drought stricken-property going to the wall. So, when he grabs an unexpected payday helping the sheriff escort gang leader Russell Crowe across country to the train station where he can be packed off to jail, it’s not just about the money – it’s his chance to do something worthwhile. Trouble is, the prisoner’s henchmen are at large, there’s hostile territory to negotiate, and Crowe’s a master manipulator, with any number of reasons the rancher should accept the thief’s pay-off and spare himself death.

Elmore Leonard’s original story offered a cracking premise for the taut 1957 version and brings a core of tension to this expansive remake. Given that the Western’s an endangered species, it’s understandable James Mangold (‘Walk the Line’) should direct like a man who might never make another one, hence the pumped-up stagecoach chases and revisionist digressions (yes, Chinese coolies pretty much built America’s railroads) which at times threaten to lose sight of the central conflict. It’s all vividly mounted however, done with obvious affection, and if it lacks the laser precision of Delmer Daves’ original, the script brings added moral complexities with a key role for Bale’s adventure-hungry teenage son. The two leads’ sparking byplay, Crowe’s addled cockiness versus Bale’s nervy grit, would grace any surroundings, but it’s a pleasure to revisit the frontier in a drama which feels far more vital than mere nostalgic homage.

Author: Trevor Johnston

Time Out London Issue 1934: September 12-18 2007

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User reviews of this film

rinki said...

Posted on May 31 2011 15:29 I have NEVER in my life wasted 2 hrs and 4 secs on such NONSENSE. The above comments are unbelievable, how can someone call this movie b'ful? The thought of calling it b'ful makes my stomach sick...ughhhh. I can't believe I sat through the whole 2 hrs. Mr. Bale and his son are the smart-asses who are out fighting the BAD world of gangs and guns. AWFUL. ABSOLUTELY AWFUL. I can't waste too long on writing a review either.

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Andy S said...

Posted on Nov 13 2008 18:04 One of the best westerns of the noughties. Bale is great as the wounded rancher delivering Crowe to the jailhouse, and Crowe, in turn, plays a fantastic goodie/baddie character. Maybe the villan's clothes are too 'nice' and there isn't enough mud, but its fantastic fun. As good as 'Open Range', not quite as great as 'Unforgiven' but more fun than 'The Proposition'. The ending ISN@T a dud, either, despite mixed reports. See it tonight!!!

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Michele said...

Posted on Jun 16 2008 19:16 Love being told I'm retarded for enjoying this movie.
I got the ending: Crowe's character gets on the train to prevent the young boy from ending up just like him. Not implausible, since Ben Wade said the boy reminded him of himself. The movie's ending is about what path the boy will take. I loved it. Five out of six.

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Technoguy said...

Posted on Mar 18 2008 00:53 Good as westerns go with the two main leads playing well off of each other ,with I thought Christian Bale coming out on top as a down on his luck homesteader trying to make some money and honour in the eyes of his family(he lost a foot in a previous accident).Crowe just played his usual snakey tough guy role that he does in his sleep,with a lashing of charm for the son and the ladies.There was a lot of sharp action sequences and a lot of killing as Bale helps a posse of men escort Crowe,the badman,to the 3;10 to Yuma train to take him to his execution.The ending was toally unbelievable but somehow had poetic justice on it's side.

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aldiggitydog said...

Posted on Jan 27 2008 06:39 This was possibly the least believable movie I have ever seen. Notice how most positive posts are from women, and I'm not sure if that is significant, just noticed. My wife, though, also thought the movie was outrageous, especially the ending. Maybe a remake of a WWII movie where Hitler has a change of heart is the next big thing in Hollywood. Reality was apparanty not a consideration

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MB said...

Posted on Jan 14 2008 23:29 The ending to this film was RIDICULOUS and it completely ruined it. Absolutely stupid beyond belief and anyone who thinks different is completely retarded. I feel cheated that i sat through it, really enjoyed it and then watched in disbelief as it turned into a farcical joke before my very eyes.
And as for this homophobic nonsense, am i missing something here? What are you people on? Talk about one person reading something into something that doesn't even exist and then everyone jumping on the bandwagon and giving it credence as though it has some sort of basis in reality.
So to sum the ending up - He's about to strangle him and he says something about wanting to look a hero in front of his son and the next thing he's stopped strangling him and they now form some kind of doubleact jumping across rooftops to get him to the prison train. "Slight change of heart, i was a cold hearted bastard but now i'm going to help you take me to prison so your son doesn't think your a loser, then i'm gonna kill my whole crew who've just moved heaven and earth to save me and then i'll get on the train of my own free will" What a complete joke.

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amber said...

Posted on Dec 09 2007 20:42 it was amazing

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Milla said...

Posted on Oct 13 2007 15:51 A beautiful film. Its colours reminded me a lot of Sergio Leone's westerns, The soundtrack is spot on too.

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Andy said...

Posted on Oct 06 2007 08:30 So... Christian Bale's son was trying to respect his father by him that Russell Crowe was on the train?

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May said...

Posted on Sep 28 2007 15:08 Excellent film. One of the best I have seen for some time. The acting is superb by both Russell Crowe and Christian Bale. My husband and I love westerns and this is one that is like the good old ones. Saw Atonement recently and this film is far superior.

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JR said...

Posted on Sep 26 2007 17:56 A good sample how a bad ending can make an interesting movie, for most of the film, a bad one.

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jord said...

Posted on Sep 19 2007 14:44 exelent

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Georgie said...

Posted on Sep 18 2007 13:06 Brilliant!! My boyfriend's a western film fan, I'm a Christian Bale fan so there was something for both of us. Would definately recommend seeing it just for some great acting, especially by the guy who plays Charlie

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nellyporter said...

Posted on Sep 17 2007 14:41 Wasn't very impressed, especially by the ending which was a real cop out. Starting out promising but got a bit silly towards the end with an unrealistic ending. Don't waste your money..

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shinlim said...

Posted on Sep 15 2007 23:49 Spectacular! The character development is as engrossing as the gun-fights. Crowe plays the amoral captive who plays along with his captors, all the way to the final scene. Go see it!

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