In 2007 a remake caused some controversy. It was an updated version of a stone cold genre masterpiece. When we say this, we are not talking about the story however, which both films were based on. Elmore Lenord deserves praise and adulation not doubt. We are talking of the 1957 film of the same name. Both films had established directors at their helm.  James Mangold and Delmar Daves. Both had attracted some top notch talent. Both on release did well both financially and critically.

Robber and gang leader Ben Wade (Glenn Ford) take on Cattle rancher Dan Evans (Van Heflin). After Wade steals a gold shipment from a stagecoach (killing the coaches guard in the course), a posse is raised to bring him into custody. Wade should have been halfway to Mexico but a beautiful barmaid Emmy (Felicia Farr) has captivated him. When the posse catch up with, they must consider getting him to the nearest marshal with the outlaw gang in the local vicinity. Evans needs to get Wade on the 3:10 to Yuma before Wade’s gang have other ideas.

1957’s 3:10 to Yuma has a multitude of pieces that make it a remarkable thing indeed. It looks like a western, feels like a melodrama and simmers like a thriller. It mixes all this together with the aesthetics of a film noir and sprinkles action scenes throughout this. Daves is clever. He grasps that the narrative needs this type of multi-faceted approach to stimulate the audience attention. Swiftly dispersing the troupes and conventions with revision and division. The duality of purpose and how we always are at a crossroads in life is the pertinent point. Its brilliance is that it never assumes that you know the answer to this question

DISC

The disc is light in content, but it is packed full of value however. The transfer is a work of skill. The HD transfer irons out the lacklustre DVD treatment. The blacks are black and deep at that. The whites are shining. The real novelty is in the deep focus scenes and external scenes. They are clear, and clarity is important. The soundtrack has also become robust and big, with the song feeling like a mountain of sound and the train feeling like a rolling earthquake. Emotional pressure cooker at the right time.

EXTRAS

Elmore Leonard interview creates his reason for the story and its passage onto our screen. He also has a rye charm I like. Peter Ford has the flavour of a son who knows his father but also sees what that is for us. Check out his thoughts on that.

Special Features:
New high-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
Alternate 5.1 surround soundtrack, presented in DTS-HD Master Audio
New interviews with author Elmore Leonard and Glenn Ford’s son and biographer, Peter Ford
PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic Kent Jones