NFR Project: “3:10 to Yuma”
Dir: Delmer Davies
Scr: Halsted Welles
Pho: Charles Lawton Jr.
Ed: Al Clark
Premiere: Aug. 7, 1957
92 min.
A decent little Western, with many similarities to High Noon (1952). In it, a rancher, Dan Evans, (Van Heflin) takes up the duty of guarding a wanted man, Ben Wade (Glenn Ford). Ford here plays one of his rare “bad” characters, just as winningly as he played good guys. The plan is to get the outlaw onto the 3:10 train to Yuma, where the Territorial Prison is. Wade’s gang is all set to free him. Ignoring the faint-heartedness of those around him, Evans literally sticks to his guns and perseveres, getting his man to the train on time.
The movie is unique in that it primarily deals with the mental states and emotions of those involved. There is little gunplay, and no chase to speak of. Wade tries to convince Evans to let him loose, offering him a large sum of money for the favor. Evans refuses. He prevents another man from killing Wade – and Wade returns the favor by allowing himself to be taken off on the train.
The NFR Project is one writer’s attempt to review all the films listed in the National Film Registry in chronological order. Next time: 12 Angry Men.
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