3:10 to Yuma

Delmer Daves' sparse 1957 psychological western begins with rancher Dan Evans (Van Heflin), who is in bad need of money for a new well following a devastating drought, being offered the job of escorting outlaw Ben Wade (Glenn Ford) to a small town, where he'll be transferred to a train bound for the state prison in Yuma. Once they arrive, however, and hole up in a motel room, Wade begins to work on Evans, telling him that his right-hand man Charlie Prince (Richard Jaeckel) and the rest of his gang will arrive before the train--and they'll take no prisoners. He offers Evans a substantial amount of money to turn him loose, but while Evans is tempted (the camera nakedly records the conflicting emotions that play across Heflin's face), he holds out…until Wade's gang appears and all proverbial hell breaks loose. Similar in structure and story to High Noon, but definitely its own film, 3:10 to Yuma benefits from a solid transfer, and is here presented in both full frame and widescreen versions. Recommended. (R. Pitman)[DVD Review—Sept. 4, 2007—Sony, 92 min., not rated, $19.95—Making its second appearance on DVD, 1957's 3:10 to Yuma has a fine anamorphic widescreen transfer (the full screen version is absent on this release), with the only DVD extra being a trailer for the 2007 remake (starring Christian Bale and Russell Crowe). Bottom line: if you have the 2002 DVD release, there is no reason to pick up this one—if not, then this is highly recommended.][DVD/Blu-ray Review—May 21, 2013—Criterion, 92 min., not rated, DVD: $29.95, Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and first on Blu-ray, 1955's 3:10 to Yuma sports a superb transfer and Dolby Digital mono audio on DVD and uncompressed mono on Blu-ray (with both editions also featuring an alternative 5.1 surround sound option). Extras include 2013 interviews with star Glenn Ford's son and biographer, Peter Ford (15 min.), and author Elmore Leonard (13 min.), and a booklet featuring an essay by critic Kent Jones. Bottom line: a classic Western makes a welcome debut on Blu-ray.]