SummaryDan Evans (Van Heflin) is a mild-mannered cattle rancher who takes on the task of shepherding captured outlaw Ben Wade (Glenn Ford) to the train that will deliver him to prison. This apparently simple mission turns into a nerve-racking cat-and-mouse game that tests each man’s particular brand of honor. Based on a story by Elmore Leonard.
Directed By:Delmer Daves
Written By:Halsted Welles, Elmore Leonard
3:10 to Yuma
Metascore
Generally Favorable
80
User score
Generally Favorable
7.3
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
92% Positive
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
8% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100
Directed with a touch both delicate and muscular by the great Delmer Daves, it's truly a Western for those who don't like Westerns, and will be treasured by those that do. [02 Jun 2013, p.Q21]
83
Largely devoid of the usual Western histrionics, this 1957 film, thanks to the steady hand of veteran director Delmer Daves, represents one of the more sober depictions of the clash between chaos and order that has always been at the center of the movie Western. [26 Aug 2007, p.3E]
80
For the performances and the atmosphere, it’s worth it.
80
The compositions evoke a kind of open-air claustrophobia, whether in overhead shots that pin the characters in the landscape or in tableaux of men, women, and children staving off the chaos of the wide-open spaces with their weary fences and weathered towns.
80
A good, lively script has been written by Halsted Welles, and sharp, business-like direction has been contributed by Delmer Daves.What's more, the whole thing is neatly acted.
75
This is a landmark western, redefining what the genre was capable of doing, and is one of Daves's best works.
60
Aside from the fact that this is an upper-drawer western, 3:10 to Yuma will strike many for its resemblance to High Noon. That the climax fizzles must be laid on doorstep of Halsted Welles, who adapts Elmore Leonard's story quite well until that point.
User score
Generally Favorable
91% Positive
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
9% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Apr 17, 2025
7
Great cinematography and ambient Unfortunately, lukewarm finish keeps this melancholic and poetic western from being part of the top league.
Aug 24, 2023
7
It is somewhat disheartening that an exceptional western should falter in its climax, but in all other respects, especially in its deft handling of tension, this film truly shines. Its strengths lie in the character struggle between the two protagonists and the intricate dynamic they both bring to the table with their distinct personalities. This interplay is the basis for the charged atmosphere that permeates the film. While the conclusion is in keeping with the preceding content, it lacks the conclusive impact necessary to elevate this work to the status of a masterpiece of the genre. Nevertheless, the film is fascinating and certainly deserves the recognition that has kept it in the conversation when it comes to Westerns after so many decades.
Production Company:
- Columbia Pictures
Release Date:Aug 7, 1957
Duration:1 h 32 m
Rating:TV-PG
Tagline:Drink the whisky... Love the woman... Try to stay alive till the 3:10 pulls out of town!
Awards
Laurel Awards
• 2 Nominations
National Film Preservation Board, USA
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
BAFTA Awards
• 1 Nomination
