3:10 to Yuma, then and now

I suppose 3:10 to Yuma was ripe for the remaking. A landmark Western made in 1957, the film is a psychological drama that calls on the hero (Van Heflin) to do what the town officials are to frightened of doing and in the process, Heflin has to examine his own code of ethics. He is a man caught between personal need and "the public good," a rancher plagued by drought who is coerced into doing a dirty job (turning in Glen Ford) for the reward.

This is one of Ford's best performances as the monstrous bad guy who plays a psychological game of manipulation. Most of the action is confined to a hotel room as Ford tries to convince the needy rancher to take $10,000 and look the other way as Ford escapes. A little talky, but good stuff.

Of course, I'm not sure how many people have seen this film, although it magically showed up on Cable this month, just as the remake is unleashed.

In the new version, Christian Bale is pursued by Russell Crowe's men as he struggles to escort Crowe to the train bound for Yuma Prison. No doubt about it, Bale and Crowe are talented actors. And to MTV generation, I am sure this violent shoot 'em up is superior to the "snoozy," talky original. The 2007 version is far more violent and cynical. And the ending makes NO sense.

If the 1957 version is a minor masterpiece (and I think it is), the 2007 version is just another shoot 'em up in living color. Some of the interesting psychological aspects remain--of course, that's the story, but for me it just missed. I have no doubt that Bale and Crowe will be on somebody's short list of Academy Awards. But this remake, while abounding in bells and whistles, is not as taut or as interesting.