One of the most celebrated Western remakes, 3:10 to Yuma (2007), directed by James Mangold, has officially hit Netflix this September. The film, a remake of the 1957 Western classic, is widely regarded as one of the best modern adaptations of the genre. Mangold, known for films like Walk the Line and Logan, has long infused the spirit of Westerns into his work, but 3:10 to Yuma stands as his only traditional cowboy film to date.
The plot follows Dan Evans (Christian Bale), a wounded Civil War veteran and struggling rancher who accepts a dangerous job escorting notorious outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) to the town of Contention. There, Wade will board the 3:10 train to Yuma, where he will face trial. What begins as a straightforward task turns into a battle of wills, as Wade uses psychological games to manipulate Evans. Meanwhile, Wade’s gang, led by the ruthless Charlie Prince (Ben Foster), races against time to free their leader.
The original 1957 film, directed by Delmer Daves, starred Glenn Ford and Van Heflin. Mangold’s version extends the narrative, adding richer characters and more intense action sequences, taking advantage of its R-rating to showcase the brutality of the Old West. Ben Foster, who plays the psychopathic Charlie Prince, gave an underrated performance, adding a rock-star flair to the role. In an interview with Vulture, Foster shared insights into his character’s costume design, explaining how historical outlaw photos inspired his look: “The outlaws were the rock stars of their era.”
Mangold’s 3:10 to Yuma is notable for its exploration of morality. Though Dan and Ben are on opposite sides of the law, both live by a code of ethics, and a mutual respect develops between them. Bale and Crowe’s performances anchor the film, with Mangold deftly weaving themes of masculinity, redemption and survival into the narrative.
With intense action, layered characters and moral complexity, 3:10 to Yuma remains a standout in the modern Western genre. Fans can now stream it on Netflix in the U.S.
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