3:10 to Yuma poster found on yahoo moviesThe cinematic elements of 3:10 to Yuma have made it one of the best westerns of all time, griping the audience and allowing them to see the humanistic side of the characters while still experiencing cinematic excellence. The post civil war setting of the film has made it a great addition to the post war cinema genre. Also, diegetic and nondiegetic elements play a large role in the historical setting of the movie. In addition to these two things, character development allows the audience to see the improvement, or lack thereof, of the character’s social complexities and responses to their surroundings. 3:10 to Yuma contains many different cinematic elements that enrich the viewing experience and allow the audience to experience historical elements, character development, and diegetic elements.
3:10 to Yuma is an excellent addition to the post war cinema genre and reveals the aftermath of a devastating civil war. The story takes place after the civil war and the plot surrounds a civil war vet that lost his leg during the war. Also, a major aspect of the plot is the destruction the building of a railroad would be to the main character’s home and land. The railroads being built are the very things that were to connect a post civil war torn America. In addition, Dan Evans, portrayed by Christian Bale, is going through the middle of a financial crisis that is causing complications for his family. A common element of post war times is the lack of financial prosperity due to the money poured into wars. The subtle historical elements of the film enrich the setting as well as the character interaction in the story.
Diegetic and Nondiegetic elements both play a role in the story of 3:10 to Yuma. Firstly, one of the diegetic elements included is the building of the railroads. A lot of railroad construction occurred in that time period and the affects the building would have on Dan’s family make it directly related to the story. Another diegetic element is that of the 3:10 train to Yuma. Its direct relation to the main focus of the film makes it diegetic, which focuses on transporting Ben Wade, played by Russell Crow, to the prison in Yuma. In contrast, a nondiegetic element of the film is the historical element of the Civil War. Although Dan was maimed in the Civil War, the war is not a main focus of the story of 3:10 to Yuma. These elements bring the historical aspect of the story to life.
The main character’s character development plays a large role in conveying the social changes of Dan, William, and Ben Wade throughout the film. Dan Evans goes through a slightly internal regression. This is evident when we see the change from a cautious man to a brave and courageous fighter. In the beginning of the film he tells his son that he needs to choose his battles and cannot always go in with guns blazing. By the end, when all seems to be lost, he will not give up the fight and he does absolutely anything to get Ben Wade to the train. A reverse change occurs within William Evans. In the beginning he calls his father a coward for not shooting Ben Wade in the first place. When he discovers that there is a slim chance to get Wade to the train, he quickly tries to talk his father out of the job. This change is internal and regressive. Ben Wade’s social transformation is the same as Dan Evans in the way that it is internal and progressive. In the beginning he will do anything to avoid prison, but when he discovers that Dan secretly desires his son’s approval, he will do anything to make sure that Dan gets him to the train and gains his son’s acceptance. He puts his own desires aside to help a man with the life he wished he could have. The character development in 3:10 to Yuma is profound and exhibits many unexpected changes in the main characters.
3:10 to Yuma is comprised of many cinematic elements that are essential in the creation of a cinematic masterpiece. The post civil war setting makes it a great addition to the post war cinematic genre. Also, the execution of diegetic and nondiegetic elements enrich the story and plot allowing the audience to come extremely close to experiencing life in that time. Finally, the character development is astounding in the way that it details the social change from cowardice to bravery and vice versa. 3:10 to Yuma is sure to be an addition to the western genre that stands the test of time for many years to come.
Works Cited
"3:10 to Yuma (2007)." The Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Web. 7 May 2010..
3:10 to Yuma. Dir. James Mangold. Perf. Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Logan Lerman, Ben Foster, and Peter Fonda. A.V.H., 2007.
Corrigan, Timothy, and Patricia White. The Film Experience: an Introduction. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2009. Print.
3:10 to Yuma is an excellent addition to the post war cinema genre and reveals the aftermath of a devastating civil war. The story takes place after the civil war and the plot surrounds a civil war vet that lost his leg during the war. Also, a major aspect of the plot is the destruction the building of a railroad would be to the main character’s home and land. The railroads being built are the very things that were to connect a post civil war torn America. In addition, Dan Evans, portrayed by Christian Bale, is going through the middle of a financial crisis that is causing complications for his family. A common element of post war times is the lack of financial prosperity due to the money poured into wars. The subtle historical elements of the film enrich the setting as well as the character interaction in the story.
Diegetic and Nondiegetic elements both play a role in the story of 3:10 to Yuma. Firstly, one of the diegetic elements included is the building of the railroads. A lot of railroad construction occurred in that time period and the affects the building would have on Dan’s family make it directly related to the story. Another diegetic element is that of the 3:10 train to Yuma. Its direct relation to the main focus of the film makes it diegetic, which focuses on transporting Ben Wade, played by Russell Crow, to the prison in Yuma. In contrast, a nondiegetic element of the film is the historical element of the Civil War. Although Dan was maimed in the Civil War, the war is not a main focus of the story of 3:10 to Yuma. These elements bring the historical aspect of the story to life.
The main character’s character development plays a large role in conveying the social changes of Dan, William, and Ben Wade throughout the film. Dan Evans goes through a slightly internal regression. This is evident when we see the change from a cautious man to a brave and courageous fighter. In the beginning of the film he tells his son that he needs to choose his battles and cannot always go in with guns blazing. By the end, when all seems to be lost, he will not give up the fight and he does absolutely anything to get Ben Wade to the train. A reverse change occurs within William Evans. In the beginning he calls his father a coward for not shooting Ben Wade in the first place. When he discovers that there is a slim chance to get Wade to the train, he quickly tries to talk his father out of the job. This change is internal and regressive. Ben Wade’s social transformation is the same as Dan Evans in the way that it is internal and progressive. In the beginning he will do anything to avoid prison, but when he discovers that Dan secretly desires his son’s approval, he will do anything to make sure that Dan gets him to the train and gains his son’s acceptance. He puts his own desires aside to help a man with the life he wished he could have. The character development in 3:10 to Yuma is profound and exhibits many unexpected changes in the main characters.
3:10 to Yuma is comprised of many cinematic elements that are essential in the creation of a cinematic masterpiece. The post civil war setting makes it a great addition to the post war cinematic genre. Also, the execution of diegetic and nondiegetic elements enrich the story and plot allowing the audience to come extremely close to experiencing life in that time. Finally, the character development is astounding in the way that it details the social change from cowardice to bravery and vice versa. 3:10 to Yuma is sure to be an addition to the western genre that stands the test of time for many years to come.
Works Cited
"3:10 to Yuma (2007)." The Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Web. 7 May 2010.
3:10 to Yuma. Dir. James Mangold. Perf. Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Logan Lerman, Ben Foster, and Peter Fonda. A.V.H., 2007.
Corrigan, Timothy, and Patricia White. The Film Experience: an Introduction. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2009. Print.
No comments:
Post a Comment