Re: *** Official (2007) 3:10 TO YUMA Discussion Thread
I guess one question I would have is this movie a "remake" or the newer term "reimagining" of the 1950's film or is it a new adaptation of the Elmore Leonard short story, "Three Ten to Yuma" from 1953? If it is the former, it points the discussion in one way (how things were changed from the original, for example) but if it is the latter, then both films would be guilty of a ton of changes.
The biggest would be Bale's character. In the short story, he is a marshal of Bisbey and not well suited to handling a killer of such renown. He is mostly used to handling drunks and bar fights. There is nothing about his feelings as a failure, the Civil War, bum luck on the farm (he doesn't have one) or corrupt landowners or even the railroad. It has been pointed out that this was Leonard's take on "High Noon" and in his story, that makes sense. A deadline, a street full of potential baddies and a gentleman thief with a sly grin.
I bring this up because though this current version of the movie varies, especially it sounds like in the ending, from the original movie, it is just as divergent as the original movie when compared to the short story. I think the story is simple enough that you can interpret it and adapt it in a variety of ways to tell an interesting story and each one could be different.
That said, I liked the ending. What I especially liked about it was the use of sound to enhance the mood. The ponderous chugging of the steam engine as Bale's character lay dying was fantastic for mood. It's ponderous, slow cadence followed the character's own heart as it slowly gave out. Fantastic use of sound without having to have a bombastic score telling you, "yes, this is a sad moment...please cry now." It was a bitter sweet moment, actually. It was a father who redeemed himself in his son's eyes and ended, oddly enough, on a high note.
It was interesting to see Crowe's character and ponder his motives. Was he always looking for a way out of this gang? Had they become too nasty, even for him? Was going to jail a fine way to get out of it, knowing he would escape yet again? Who knows. Fun to think about.
