3:10 to Yuma

The majority of the runtime maintains a reliable four-star level and ranks significantly higher than what American studios produced in the genre in the 1950s. It plays with a similar motif as the famous film High Noon. By coincidence, the responsibility for resolving the crisis situation falls on the lonely hero, who overcomes his fear at the decisive moment and becomes a moral authority. The film uses typical western characters but gives them a deeper psychological dimension compared to the customs of the time. In particular, the leader of the gang is not a typical western villain with a black soul and fast guns. He is a player, manipulator, tempter, and negotiator, but also the owner of a unique and solid value system. The film usually avoids using genre stereotypes, is sparing with action scenes, and focuses on the psychological conflicts between the characters and their dialogue. Unfortunately, in the last fifteen minutes, the western myth comes to life in full force, and suddenly we have a typical 1950s western with an invincible hero and a naive plot. The triumph of justice should have taken a different form, and the final scene of the transition from the hotel to the train is a typical example of the screenwriter bending logic in favor of their goal. In my eyes, the film deserves one star less for this, but a genre fan can easily add another star. Overall impression: 65%. (08/03/2018)