The Film Library

3:10 to Yuma: Best adaptation ever?

I was a little surprised not to see a thread on this here, but I have to say, I think the latest adaptation of 3:10 to Yuma could be one of the best paper-to-film adaptations, ever.  Every role seemed flawlessly cast (and I don't even really like Russell Crowe), and the dialogue was delivered beautifully and accurately. 

Now, granted 3:10 is a short story, so therefore I think it naturally works better for a 2hrs adaptation than say, 400 pages of Lord of the Rings , which I feel were excellent given their constraints--but definately strayed from the original story in more places than one and sometimes lacked what I felt when I read the original books.  I'm not sure quite what it was about 3:10, but it just seemed flawless.  I felt as though I were re-reading the story and picturing the scenes in my mind, and not sitting in a theatre watching it on a big screen.  Brilliant.  Anyone care to agree/disagree?  Curious to see what others have to say...

Re:3:10 to Yuma: Best adaptation ever?

seely:

I was a little surprised not to see a thread on this here, but I have to say, I think the latest adaptation of 3:10 to Yuma could be one of the best paper-to-film adaptations, ever.  Every role seemed flawlessly cast (and I don't even really like Russell Crowe), and the dialogue was delivered beautifully and accurately. 

Now, granted 3:10 is a short story, so therefore I think it naturally works better for a 2hrs adaptation than say, 400 pages of Lord of the Rings , which I feel were excellent given their constraints--but definately strayed from the original story in more places than one and sometimes lacked what I felt when I read the original books.  I'm not sure quite what it was about 3:10, but it just seemed flawless.  I felt as though I were re-reading the story and picturing the scenes in my mind, and not sitting in a theatre watching it on a big screen.  Brilliant.  Anyone care to agree/disagree?  Curious to see what others have to say...

I haven't yet seen 3:10, and I have to admit I wasn't even aware that it was a short story first. But you've really piqued my interest, so I'm going to make a concerted effort to see this one, and because I'm like this, I'll probably hunt down the original story, too.

Welcome to the group!

Re:3:10 to Yuma: Best adaptation ever?

Definately worth making the effort to see it... I've seen it four or five times now and even saw it twice in the theatre--something I NEVER do (mostly because I'm poor), but I just enjoyed it that much.  I'd read the story first, perhaps... its pretty short and a good read.

TheWorkingDead:

I haven't yet seen 3:10, and I have to admit I wasn't even aware that it was a short story first. But you've really piqued my interest, so I'm going to make a concerted effort to see this one, and because I'm like this, I'll probably hunt down the original story, too.

Welcome to the group!

Re:3:10 to Yuma: Best adaptation ever?

seely:

Definately worth making the effort to see it... I've seen it four or five times now and even saw it twice in the theatre--something I NEVER do (mostly because I'm poor), but I just enjoyed it that much.  I'd read the story first, perhaps... its pretty short and a good read.

TheWorkingDead:

I haven't yet seen 3:10, and I have to admit I wasn't even aware that it was a short story first. But you've really piqued my interest, so I'm going to make a concerted effort to see this one, and because I'm like this, I'll probably hunt down the original story, too.

Welcome to the group!

Strangely enough, when a movie based on a book comes out, and I have interest in reading the book, I usually try to watch the movie first. It's something I've been doing over the last few years. If I read a book and love it, then go see the movie, chances are I'll dislike the movie, or at least compare it unfavorably to the book. But if I see the movie, I'll have a blank slate to write my opinion on, and then I have the sure-to-be-superior book to look forward to.

     

Re:3:10 to Yuma: Best adaptation ever?

Thats a good point--now that I think about it, its also a lot less time commitment to view a movie than it is to read a book.  I probably spent 6hrs on each LOTR book, but the movies are only 3hrs-ish.  Hmm, maybe a good way to screen my reading :-D

TheWorkingDead:

seely:

Definately worth making the effort to see it... I've seen it four or five times now and even saw it twice in the theatre--something I NEVER do (mostly because I'm poor), but I just enjoyed it that much.  I'd read the story first, perhaps... its pretty short and a good read.

TheWorkingDead:

I haven't yet seen 3:10, and I have to admit I wasn't even aware that it was a short story first. But you've really piqued my interest, so I'm going to make a concerted effort to see this one, and because I'm like this, I'll probably hunt down the original story, too.

Welcome to the group!

Strangely enough, when a movie based on a book comes out, and I have interest in reading the book, I usually try to watch the movie first. It's something I've been doing over the last few years. If I read a book and love it, then go see the movie, chances are I'll dislike the movie, or at least compare it unfavorably to the book. But if I see the movie, I'll have a blank slate to write my opinion on, and then I have the sure-to-be-superior book to look forward to.

     

Re:3:10 to Yuma: Best adaptation ever?

seely:

Thats a good point--now that I think about it, its also a lot less time commitment to view a movie than it is to read a book.  I probably spent 6hrs on each LOTR book, but the movies are only 3hrs-ish.  Hmm, maybe a good way to screen my reading :-D

Only 6 hours!!  Goodness!  I takes me like a couple months!

Re:3:10 to Yuma: Best adaptation ever?

Risselada:

seely:

Thats a good point--now that I think about it, its also a lot less time commitment to view a movie than it is to read a book.  I probably spent 6hrs on each LOTR book, but the movies are only 3hrs-ish.  Hmm, maybe a good way to screen my reading :-D

Only 6 hours!!  Goodness!  I takes me like a couple months!

No kidding!

But 3:10 to Yuma is very, very good. It really got me thinking, "What is worth  sacrificing for? What is worth dying for?" And I don't want to give any spoilers away to TheWorkingDead or anyone else, but the "cursed gun" theme is amazing.

Anyone here seen the original 3:10 to Yuma with Glenn Ford and Van Heflin?