This really is an excellent film. The standard of the acting, the psychological interplay between the van Heflin and Ford characters, the tension (similar to that in High Noon) and the photography have all been commented on. All those aspects are first rate.
It is, however, also a film about honour - and interesting from this point of view also. Van Heflin's struggling farmer begins the film by justifying his having to surrender his cattle to the Ben Wade gang if he is not to be shot. Throughout the film his stature develops. His wife later talks of the pride his sons feel in him as the 'man who captured Ben Wade'. Towards the end of the film money is not the reason for his wanting to bring Wade in. When the town drunk has been killed, van Heflin's farmer realises that morality, justice and honour demand that the job be finished (despite others' protestations) and Wade be made to face trial.
I do not agree that the ending is really a weak point. When I first watched the film I misheard Ford's Ben Wade character to say 'I've broken out human before' instead of 'I've broken out of Yuma before'. I genuinely think that some sort of strange bond has developed between the captive Ben Wade and that, in a split second decision of human compassion, Wade recognises the worth of his struggling farmer guard whose life has been that of loving struggle to support his wife and family. He therefore acts to save him. It could then be argued that the theme of honour and redemption has extended to include Ben Wade's outlaw.
It is, however, also a film about honour - and interesting from this point of view also. Van Heflin's struggling farmer begins the film by justifying his having to surrender his cattle to the Ben Wade gang if he is not to be shot. Throughout the film his stature develops. His wife later talks of the pride his sons feel in him as the 'man who captured Ben Wade'. Towards the end of the film money is not the reason for his wanting to bring Wade in. When the town drunk has been killed, van Heflin's farmer realises that morality, justice and honour demand that the job be finished (despite others' protestations) and Wade be made to face trial.
I do not agree that the ending is really a weak point. When I first watched the film I misheard Ford's Ben Wade character to say 'I've broken out human before' instead of 'I've broken out of Yuma before'. I genuinely think that some sort of strange bond has developed between the captive Ben Wade and that, in a split second decision of human compassion, Wade recognises the worth of his struggling farmer guard whose life has been that of loving struggle to support his wife and family. He therefore acts to save him. It could then be argued that the theme of honour and redemption has extended to include Ben Wade's outlaw.