An Underrated Christian Bale Western Is Getting An Exciting Rerelease
It deserved a lot more attention.
Christian Bale and Russell Crowe won critical acclaim in James Mangold’s 2007 remake of the classic western 3:10 to Yuma. Now, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of its theatrical release, Lionsgate has announced a new 4K Steelbook for the film is coming on September 6, 2022. The movie had previously been released on 4K in 2017, and that same 4K set, with all of the bonus features, is being rereleased in a decorative Steelbook, with all-new cover artwork from artist Tony Stella. Although Lionsgate did not specify where it would be available, it appears to be a Best Buy exclusive, according to their website listing. It will retail for $27.99, according to Collider.
Based on the original 1957 western starring Glenn Ford and Van Heflin, the 2007 remake of 3:10 to Yuma tells the story of rancher and Civil War veteran Dan Evans (Christian Bale). Evans is tasked with taking captured outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) across treacherous terrain to meet up with the train that will take him to the authorities to stand trial. Wade’s gang is in pursuit of the posse transporting him and determined to free him, and Evans must decide whether to risk his life in pursuit of justice, or betray everything he believes in. 3:10 to Yuma was well-received by critics (with an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes), including two nominations for Academy Awards — for Best Original Score (Marco Beltrami) and Best Sound Mixing. The 4K disc will feature a fantastic DTS:X soundtrack.
Christian Bale was still riding high on the worldwide success of his turn as Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins in 2005, and he followed up that role in 2006 with the films Rescue Dawn and The Prestige, before joining Russell Crowe (Gladiator, The Insider) in 3:10 to Yuma. Director James Mangold had already made a name for himself directing films like Cop Land, Girl Interrupted, and Walk the Line. He would go on to direct Logan and Best Picture nominee Ford v Ferrari, and is currently directing Indiana Jones 5. The 4K Steelbook for 3:10 to Yuma will include will include a Blu-ray version of the film and a code for a digital copy as well. It will also include all of the previously-released bonus features, listed as follows.
• Audio Commentary With Director James Mangold
• “3:10 to Score” Featurette
• “Sea to Shining Sea” Documentary
• “A Conversation with Elmore Leonard” Featurette
• “The Guns of Yuma” Featurette
• Historical Timeline of the West (Blu-Ray™ Only)
• Inside Yuma: An Exclusive Blu-ray Disc Interactive Experience
• “Destination Yuma” Making-Of Documentary
• “An Epic Explored” Featurette
• “Outlaws, Gangs, and Posses” Documentary
• Deleted Scenes
In addition to Russell Crowe and Christian Bale, 3:10 to Yuma boasts a stellar supporting cast. The late Peter Fonda (Easy Rider) delivers a knockout performance in a small but pivotal role, and the film also stars Gretchen Mol (Manchester by the Sea), Ben Foster (Hell or High Water), Dallas Roberts (Dallas Buyers Club), Alan Tudyk (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Vinessa Shaw (Eyes Wide Shut) and Logan Lerman (Fury). The 4K Steelbook arrives just one day shy of the 15th anniversary of its original theatrical release of September 7, 2007.
James Mangold would work with Christian Bale once again in 2019, when the director asked him to portray real-life automotive legend Ken Miles in Ford v Ferrari. Russell Crowe, of course, remains one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, and he recently jumped from the DC movie universe (having played Jor-El in Man of Steel) to the MCU for Thor: Love and Thunder. The 4K Steelbook for 3:10 to Yuma is expected to be another best-seller for Lionsgate, who has found a cash cow of sorts by offering its library of films in special edition 4K Steelbooks, which are often Best Buy exclusives. The Steelbooks are highly sought-after by collectors, even as sales of physical discs decline at retail.
