J.O. 3:10 to Yuma

The 1957 film 3:10 to Yuma and its 2007 remake are similar in that they follow the same story and the characters remain constant in both films. Other than these similarities, the films differ in the way Dan is represented as the alpha male cowboy, as well as more violence evident in the remake. Dan, in the 1957 film, is portrayed as a tough, rugged, and highly respected cowboy most notably because of his excellent shooting skills. In this film, Dan has a set duty to get Wade to Yuma for the sake of those who died while confining Wade. Contrastingly, in the 2007 remake, Dan is nothing like his alpha male cowboy counterpart seen in the 1957 film. Instead of being tough and a well-known excellent gunslinger, Dan is portrayed as a weakling. His sons are not impressed with him, nor do they look up to him as a role model. Dan, in the remake, is desperate and in need, which is why he wants the job to escort Wade so that he can get the money being offered. He has no duty; here Dan only works for personal motives – saving his ranch and gaining the respect of his sons.

Each film, through its portrayal of the alpha male cowboy and the violence levels, presents the differences in culture during the times these films were produced. During 1957, Americans were beginning to detest the violence and wars occurring at the time. Violence was frowned upon, and this is demonstrated in the 1957 film as there were much fewer violence scenes in this film than the remake. However, in the 2007 remake, violence seemed to be the drive of the film. There were numerous cases of bloodshed and brutality in the film, portraying that Americans today have come to accept violence as a common aspect of their lives. The culture of today is more impervious to violence than it was in 1957, and this is represented in the violence levels of the films. Moreover, in terms of the portrayal of the alpha male cowboy, Dan in 1957 was much tougher and displayed traits of one who does not look to please others but acts according to duty. This could represent the duty America believed it had to defend South Korea in its fight against communism. On the other hand, Dan in the 2007 remake only works to help himself rather than others. The Dan of 2007 displays the culture of America as how Americans now look to take care of everything relating to their personal life. They want to be on top, look out for their family, and meet personal goals. Survival of the fittest at its best, Americans of today want to be respected and so work to gain that approval from others. This description is what the 2007 Dan represents, a persona of selfish desires, much different than the past persona of caring and working for the sake of others.