It would seem that Russell Crowe really enjoyed playing the notorious outlaw Ben Wade. His cleverly planned hold-ups of the Southern Pacific Railroad were the stuff of the legends in Wild West dime novels. Although roguishly charming, Wade was also incredibly violent and thanks to his ruthless sidekick, the obviously gay Charlie Prince (Ben Foster), many people lost their lives during their lucrative robbery spree. At the other end of the scale, Dan Evans (Christian Bale) was a law-abiding rancher, struggling to provide for his family. The harsh Arizona drought and rampant corruption forced Evans to seek employment elsewhere to save his family from starvation.
Wade had been arrested and good money was being offered to escort Wade on a three-day journey to the town of Contention so he could be put on the train equipped with a prison car bound for the Federal Court in Yuma. While veteran bounty hunter Byron McElroy (Peter Fonda) led the team escorting the dangerously cunning Wade, the rest of Wade’s gang shadowed the procession. Naturally attrition occurs on both sides and by the time the two men from opposite ends of the moral spectrum are the only ones left, they have found that they have developed an unexpected bond. Evan’s agenda has also changed, and the mission to put Wade on the 3.10 to Yuma becomes his chance to redeem himself in the eyes of his son, his family and himself.
3.10 to Yuma (MA) is directed by James Mangold.
