strong acting almost saves improbable plot

Rating: Null/10 (14 October 2007)

In this morality of wishful thinking, hardened criminal Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) becomes so impressed by the decency of his captor, rancher Dan Evans (Christian Bale), that he decides to voluntarily assist him in his almost impossible task of delivering himself as prisoner to Yuma in time to catch the 3:10 train to prison, where he will face certain and well deserved execution. Strong directing and especially strong acting almost save this film from its improbable plot. The most ridiculous scenes I thought were in the final chase when the prisoner, leading the way to the train station, has to jump from one roof to another. Before he attempts the jump, he turns back to his captor and says, "Can you make it?", as though, if one legged Dan can't do it, the 2 legged prisoner won't try it either! Heavens no, he might get away. Then , when Ben's devoted gang finally does rescue him, he shoots them all and jumps into the jail cell on the train! Even though Dan is already dead, it is still important to impress Dan's son, who appears at times to be wavering on the path of righteousness. Those of you who work as marshals, delivering prisoners to court and having to transport them on public conveyances, should not expect them to behave according to Mr Wades standards. Expect the worst instead, as a man's instinct for survival and freedom is more likely to overpower any passing affection for 14 yr old kids he met 2 days ago. It's hard to believe Elmore Leonard ever wrote a piece of crap like this, but it was in the 50's , and that's what was selling in those days. A man's got to eat. Harder still to believe is that many sophisticated reviewers like Roger Ebert thought this was a good movie.