Spoiler: ShowHe killed his entire crew because unlike them, there was still an ounce of humanity left in him. Reason I say that is because I think he realized how good a man Christian Bale's character was (evidenced by his unyielding integrity and relationship with his son) and he felt sorry for him having to sacrifice himself just to clear his debts and take care of his family. This is further supported when Crowe went along with that bullet laden escape from the hotel to the train station
Also, he didnt board the train just to get executed. He boarded the train so that Bale's family will benefit from that deal he agreed with the bank guy about taking Crowe to the train. Crowe knew this so he purposely boarded the train knowing how easy it is for him to escape later anyway ( he said he escaped from Yuma 2x before). Plus why do you think he whistled for his horse to follow him at the end. So yes he did escape in the end.
I think this movie is right up at there at the top out of all the Western movies I've seen.
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