3:10 to Yuma-MR

The original film 3:10 to Yuma and its remake depict an evolving American culture during the respective periods that they were filmed. Naturally with time the attitudes of a population change and evolve, and these films depict that very clearly. The original film, made in 1957, was filmed during the classic western period. This film has many of the characteristics that the other films had during this time period. The remake, characterizes the evolution of the cowboys in the west and the emerging presence of the family man. Both films follows the timeline of the classic western. There is turmoil and trouble throughout the film, but the climax ends in a shootout. The original film, builds the story up to the climax, whereas the remake has a more developed story throughout. The remake has developed characters that reveal many aspects of their life that the original fails to do. In classic westerns, the characters did not need to be developed as they shared most of the same qualities and traits in all classic westerns. However, with the development of a complex story with completely developed characters it is easier to understand their actions in the film. Ben Wade and Dan Evans, the two dominant male characters in the film, have different traits within each of the film. Ben Wade, the outlaw in both films, seems a simple and in many ways typical villain in the 1957 film. He is cunning, sly, and vicious in his attempt to thwart off his captors. He does not seem to develop a relationship with Dan Evans at all. When Wade voluntarily jumps on the train with Dan at the end of the film it is a surprise. However, in the remake the cooperation of Ben Wade is not surprising as his relationship with Evans develops throughout the film. In the film, Wade is still a vicious and cunning outlaw, but also contains an almost personable trait. He clearly begins to care and understand Dan's situation and devotion to his family as the film develops. In the original there is little mention of Dan's family at all, whereas it is the driver of action in the remake. The remake compared to the original clearly shows the demise of the wild ways of a classic cowboy and the emergence of the family man.