My favourite Western ever. Everything about this film nears perfection, and what I think I like most about it is it's simple, but powerful story. The song "Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin'" is a perfect fit and one of the most memorable movie themes I've ever heard. There have been many great entries into what is possibly the most popular genre of all-time, but of those I've seen, High Noon trumps them all.
Gary Cooper is Will Kane, a respectable marshall who on his wedding day is about to turn in his badge and retire. When news gets in that long time adversary Frank Miller is coming to town at noon looking for revenge, Kane is faced with a situation. Does he leave with his bride and start a new life away from all the trouble, or does he settle the score with Miller once and for all? Because Miller's vengeance is directed at him, and the town's replacement sheriff isn't due in for another day, Kane's dedication to his job and the town compells him to stick around and confront the situation.
Surprisingly, Kane's decision is met with hostility and opposition by his fellow townspeople. Even his wife is understandably unsupportive. It isn't long before Kane realises that no one in town is going to support him, and that if he is going to confront Miller and his gang, he will have to do it alone.
The film takes place in real time, so the 85 minute running length is a real 85 minutes. This is easily one of the best paced films of all-time. The slow advancement toward the inevitable showdown at noon, becomes more and more intense with each passing minute. Kane goes against the archetypical gunslinger prototype of Westerns, and is portrayed here as a man dealing with his own fears and insecurity. This is just one of the many elements that separate this film from the bunch.
Gary Cooper won a justly deserved Oscar for his performance here. He gets Kane right. Grace Kelly is good in only her second role, and Katy Jurado and Ian MacDonald give worthy supporting turns. As I said before, the theme song is one of my favourites and complements this movie perfectly.
High Noon is one of a kind. It tells a story using familiar character types, but with a different take on their personalities. And that is what makes this movie very easy to connect with. Whether you are a fan of Westerns or not, give High Noon a shot, as it is so much more than what meets the eye.
© 2007 Kim Bartlett
Gary Cooper is Will Kane, a respectable marshall who on his wedding day is about to turn in his badge and retire. When news gets in that long time adversary Frank Miller is coming to town at noon looking for revenge, Kane is faced with a situation. Does he leave with his bride and start a new life away from all the trouble, or does he settle the score with Miller once and for all? Because Miller's vengeance is directed at him, and the town's replacement sheriff isn't due in for another day, Kane's dedication to his job and the town compells him to stick around and confront the situation.
Surprisingly, Kane's decision is met with hostility and opposition by his fellow townspeople. Even his wife is understandably unsupportive. It isn't long before Kane realises that no one in town is going to support him, and that if he is going to confront Miller and his gang, he will have to do it alone.
The film takes place in real time, so the 85 minute running length is a real 85 minutes. This is easily one of the best paced films of all-time. The slow advancement toward the inevitable showdown at noon, becomes more and more intense with each passing minute. Kane goes against the archetypical gunslinger prototype of Westerns, and is portrayed here as a man dealing with his own fears and insecurity. This is just one of the many elements that separate this film from the bunch.
Gary Cooper won a justly deserved Oscar for his performance here. He gets Kane right. Grace Kelly is good in only her second role, and Katy Jurado and Ian MacDonald give worthy supporting turns. As I said before, the theme song is one of my favourites and complements this movie perfectly.
High Noon is one of a kind. It tells a story using familiar character types, but with a different take on their personalities. And that is what makes this movie very easy to connect with. Whether you are a fan of Westerns or not, give High Noon a shot, as it is so much more than what meets the eye.
© 2007 Kim Bartlett
Really began the revisionist peroid of the western that would lead to more greats like The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and The Wild Bunch.
ReplyDeleteJust an amazing film from Zinnemann (the master of subdued human emotion) deconstructing the glamour of the old west.