Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Russell Crowe | ... | Ben Wade | |
Christian Bale | ... | Dan Evans | |
Logan Lerman | ... | William Evans | |
Dallas Roberts | ... | Grayson Butterfield | |
Ben Foster | ... | Charlie Prince | |
Peter Fonda | ... | Byron McElroy | |
Vinessa Shaw | ... | Emma Nelson | |
Alan Tudyk | ... | Doc Potter | |
Luce Rains | ... | Marshal Weathers | |
Gretchen Mol | ... | Alice Evans | |
Lennie Loftin | ... | Glen Hollander | |
Rio Alexander | ... | Campos | |
Johnny Whitworth | ... | Darden | |
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Shawn Howell | ... | Jackson (as Shawn D. Howell) |
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Pat Ricotti | ... | Jorgensen |
Rancher Dan Evans heads into Bisbee to clear up issues concerning the sale of his land when he witnesses the closing events of a stagecoach robbery led by famed outlaw Ben Wade. Shortly thereafter, Wade is captured by the law in Bisbee and Evans finds himself one of the escorts who will take Wade to the 3:10 to Yuma train in Contention for the reward of $200. Evans's effort to take Wade to the station is in part an effort to save his land but also part of an inner battle to determine whether he can be more than just a naive rancher in the eyes of his impetuous and gunslinging son William Evans. The transport to Contention is hazardous and filled with ambushes by Indians, pursuits by Wade's vengeful gang and Wade's own conniving and surreptitious demeanor that makes the ride all the more intense. Written by commanderblue
I, too, saw a preview (at a press screening) and truly enjoyed the film. The performances ooze class, charisma and depth and for someone who is not so into Westerns I found myself lured into this tale of complex morality. Crowe is especially dashing in the film as a truly bad man who we want to believe to ultimately be good. He is really quite incredible and delivers such a complex performance, with complete ease. However none of the performances lack, not Bale's, not Foster's, not Fonda's. There is really an old school Western here, with a modern edge to it. 3:10 to Yuma is also quite stunning when it comes to cinematography and set design, but these elements merely help tell the story, they do not distract from it. It's definitely worth seeing. James Mangold (Walk the Line) is definitely a very talented director. I have this a 7 because I'm a film critic and am tough, but I think fans of the genre will likely rate it higher.