Russell Crowe and Christian Bale have thrown on their chaps to play cowboys in Elmore Leonard's classic Western tale 3:10 to Yuma.

Crowe plays infamous outlaw Ben Wade, the leader of a violent gang of thieves and murderers who plagued America's southern railroad in the late 1800s.

However when Wade is captured he needs the help of Civil War veteran Dan Evans (Bale) to deliver him alive to the 3:10 to Yuma", a train that will take him to trial.

Crowe admitted that it was one of the less testing roles he has taken on.

"There was absolutely nothing about this job that was hard work to me. It got bit tough every now and then when the weather got to -15C when I was in period clothes.

"But I read the script, liked it and went to work with a smile on my face," he said.

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