3:10 to Yuma 4K Ultra HD [Blu-ray + Digital HD] [4K UHD]

There have been many attempts to revisit the Western genre. Happily, this one works and I think the sparse, but exquisite use of language and the vivid setting (which, thank goodness, was filmed outside and not on a studio lot) adds much to the movie. There were some key sentences that jumped out of this film and I've noted them below. If you see the film, try to listen for them and see if they resonate as strongly for you.I found 3:10 to Yuma to be primarily a character-driven movie, although there is no denying that there is plenty of action as well. To my mind, this is Christian Bale's strongest, most mature and multi-faceted performance to date, although fans of his other roles might find that point debatable. If so, I'll concede the point since I'm wavering on that position anyway. Still, if I had to choose right now - today - I'd say this is his seminal film, if only for the way he manages to convey the ambivalence at the heart of a world-weary man, trying to find the energy to pull off one last desperate move.The basic plot of the movie is simple. Dan Evans (played by Bale) is a rancher who is having a hard time making ends meet. He is at a pivotal point in history, just before trains were commonplace everywhere. Evans is hoping to take a renowned criminal, Ben Wade, to the Yuma train (the 3:10 to Yuma, hence the title) and collect a $200 reward for his efforts. Russell Crowe brings Wade to life, quite skillfully.Both Russell Crowe and Christian Bale are well-matched, each playing off the other perfectly. Director James Mangold made the choice to use a lot of close-ups and this works well to emphasize the character studies in this film. Pay special heed to Bale's portrayal of a tormented man whose facial expressions are just as important as his words. The pivotal words of his? To me, they are these: "I"ve been standing on one leg for three damn years waiting for God to do me a favor - and he ain't listening." Still, he wants to be a good man, wants his wife and sons to respect him and see him as honorable. That is a key element of his life. He is also more drawn to the dark side of things than he cares to admit.Russell Crowe has a particularly risky role because he has to play "the bad guy", but not as a simplistic one-dimensional criminal. He has to make the part his own. That he did so still amazes me. His key words won't make sense till you see the film but they are: "I read the Bible from cover to cover. It took me three days. She never came back."Before moving on to the special features available on the DVD, I'd like to give a nod to Peter Fonda's strong performance in this film as well as other actors who I don't have time to describe in detail here.The theme of the movie revolves around the complicated and very difficult path to righteousness and all the ways that one can veer away from that path - as well as muddy the waters. It is a very slippery slope, a point driven home by this movie.Okay, the special features: I have to say that even if this movie had been terrible, I'd have considered buying it for the features alone because of the historical information contained in them.After making a western which often gives sway to the mythological, even fanciful aspects of history, the features focus on the truth behind the fiction. The whole Western genre is explored as well as such famous outlaws as James Younger and his gang and Black Bart. Particularly noteworthy was the detailed information about how Western outlaws and Civil War veterans connected, particularly those who'd fought for the South.This one is absolutely jam-packed with special features, including a look at how the film was made. The section on the actors and their connection to the horses was intriguing. While two of the actors loved being on horses and riding, one did not. I won't spoil the suspense of finding out which actor in this film said that he hated riding. It was amusing. Also fascinating? Describing how they got a train on location.One of the best films I've seen in awhile, highly recommended, although typically bloody and gritty, as you might expect. After seeing this, go have a look at the original movie and think about what this one says about our contemporary culture, based on the aspects of morality and other issues explored in the remake.

I used to make fun of my mom for watching "westerns" all the time, which was basically anything that had horses or old-timey clothes. Westerns were one of the largest genres of not only film as it transitioned into talkies, but also literature during the 1900s which is still alive and well. My attitude towards westerns at the time was that they were boring old movies, but what western stories did I have growing up? Things like City Slickers, horse movies like Black Stallion, or any number of corny westerns (like kung-fu movies) outside of Unforgiven, Tombstone, etc. which I didn't want to watch until I was older. Westerns were all but a joke, or a setting for some sort of self-referential treatment, or glorification of the genre that ends up being a caricature. James Mangold set out to do more than just make another western, and it shows significantly that he had a good story to tell.3:10 to Yuma is not an original film, nor is it an original story (mostly) in the original 3:10 to Yuma, but in each iteration there have been additions to tell. The story by Elmore Leonard is rather short at around 10-15 pages, and only picks up at the end of the story when our now named Dan Evans (Christian Bale) is but minutes from delivering Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) to the train departing from Contention. The original film starring Glenn Ford and Van Heflin, I would imagine added most of what this film added to that story, which is the lead-up to Leonard's original short story. One thing that director James Mangold added to this film was that Dan Evans was a veteran who had lost his leg in the war, which results in different avenues of story-telling between these characters throughout. Christian Bale plays the good, hard-working farmer well, and it's really the family that plays off of him that give him the emotional resonance from the start.Russell Crowe is brilliant, as he plays the type of good guy that you hate to cheer for. He's dastardly and destructive, wherever he goes there is chaos. But at the center of it is an extremely charming, bad guy in all black who ends up having the biggest arc of the film. Also, Ben Foster shines as his partner and assassin of Wade's gang who is absolutely ruthless and seems to even have a more-than-normal affection for Wade that makes his role all that more entertaining to watch. Logan Lerman plays Christian Bale's son in the film and is perfect for the role, as pointed out by the director in the commentary.The Special Features are great on this release, including a textbook director's commentary from James Mangold. He breaks down working with all of the stars in the film, including all of the small roles that are peppered through 3:10 to Yuma but really add to its excellence. Alan Tudyk joins the group leading Wade to Contention as a veterinarian, whom Mangold points out as only having 20 or so odd lines but it's on great character actors such as Tudyk to do as much as they can with them. This film is bursting at the seams with these character actors, all of which do a stellar job at adding depth and emotional power to this movie. It has a few intense action sequences, but overall it's a well-acted western drama about two men at odds with their own lives who drive each other to be better men.I would argue that this is maybe the best western since the year 2000, other than a few hidden gems like The Proposition. The western genre in film is dead, and James Mangold discusses a lot of how hard it was to finance this film due to the outlook studios have on these films. There have been a few brief flashes of westerns and western crossovers since the release of this film, but none that have even come close to how great this movie is. Even in being a remake, it stands to be one of the better, more popular genre films of the modern era. Nothing has come close since, and stands to prove that all involved are very talented filmmakers and actors, writers, etc.Blu-ray copy came in great condition, but this release did not include DVD or digital copies. I highly recommend 3:10 to Yuma to anyone looking for a great overall film to watch for movie night, and especially to those who are a fan of any of the actors or westerns in general. It's the defining western film of my generation that tells so many stories among its many characters that it's hard not to have some sort of investment somewhere in the movie. You are missing out if you haven't taken the 3:10 to Yuma!

"3:10 to Yuma” breathes new life into the Western genre. Christian Bale and Russell Crowe deliver powerhouse performances as Dan Evans, a struggling rancher, and Ben Wade, a charming yet ruthless outlaw. Their complex relationship, filled with tension and mutual respect, drives the film’s emotional core. The chemistry between the two actors is electric, making every scene captivating. Bale’s portrayal of a man desperate to prove his worth is heart-wrenching, while Crowe’s layered performance blurs the lines between villainy and humanity.The film’s pacing is exceptional, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. Each moment is laced with a sense of impending danger as the clock ticks down to the 3:10 train’s arrival. The action sequences are exhilarating, but it’s the quieter moments that truly set this movie apart.Visually, *3:10 to Yuma* is a treat. The sweeping landscapes, combined with the musical score immerse the audience in the harsh beauty of the Old West. The film’s exploration of themes like honor, sacrifice, and redemption adds depth, making it more than just a typical Western.In short, *3:10 to Yuma* is a riveting tale of courage and morality, elevated by stellar performances and impeccable direction. It’s a must-watch for fans of Westerns—or anyone who appreciates outstanding filmmaking.

Excellent movie. The performances of Christian Bale and Russell Crowe carry this story of a man with his back against the wall and wanting to win the respect of his son as he brings a legendary outlaw to justice. The last 30 minutes is a whirlwind. Hold on tight.