High Noon blew me away: it's a very short film but very dense; the concept is very simple but intriguing. And it all rolls out in near- real time. If you see Lee Van Cleef at the beginning and suspect a final duel for a showdown you're in the wrong place: this is a very American film, in both plot and theme.
Marshall Will Kane (Gary Cooper)has been married for less than 10 minutes when he receives news that a killer he sent to jail is coming back for his revenge, his posse already waiting for his train. Despite his reputation, the townsfolk insist "things are different" and are hesitant to help. This is mixed with constant looks at clocks, showing that time is short: there's literally 90 minutes between the news and Miller arriving. Action is second to dialogue and crowd dynamic. In this regard, the film is a drama dressed up like a Western.
Have you ever tried to get a group to do something, but everyone is hesitant to help because everyone else is hesitant to help? That is what I found to a major theme in the film- the lack of mob confidence and therefore strength of the individual.
High Noon serves also as an allegory to the Communist hunts in Hollywood, siding with the accused unlike the later 'On The Waterfront', which sides with the accuser but parallels this film in many ways. Kane's final expression perfectly expresses the stance on this topic, and is a very memorable image.
I feel like High Noon is one of those films that should be written out and taught in high school like a Shakespeare play. The many supporting characters are interesting, symbolizing and crafting reflections for Kane, one of cinema's great hero. The plot, character decisions, cinematography and themes could be analyzed for hours, but that's not the point of this review: I just want you to take the time to see this 60 year- old classic that you've probably heard of but haven't seen. It's fantastic. 8.7/10
Marshall Will Kane (Gary Cooper)has been married for less than 10 minutes when he receives news that a killer he sent to jail is coming back for his revenge, his posse already waiting for his train. Despite his reputation, the townsfolk insist "things are different" and are hesitant to help. This is mixed with constant looks at clocks, showing that time is short: there's literally 90 minutes between the news and Miller arriving. Action is second to dialogue and crowd dynamic. In this regard, the film is a drama dressed up like a Western.
Have you ever tried to get a group to do something, but everyone is hesitant to help because everyone else is hesitant to help? That is what I found to a major theme in the film- the lack of mob confidence and therefore strength of the individual.
High Noon serves also as an allegory to the Communist hunts in Hollywood, siding with the accused unlike the later 'On The Waterfront', which sides with the accuser but parallels this film in many ways. Kane's final expression perfectly expresses the stance on this topic, and is a very memorable image.
I feel like High Noon is one of those films that should be written out and taught in high school like a Shakespeare play. The many supporting characters are interesting, symbolizing and crafting reflections for Kane, one of cinema's great hero. The plot, character decisions, cinematography and themes could be analyzed for hours, but that's not the point of this review: I just want you to take the time to see this 60 year- old classic that you've probably heard of but haven't seen. It's fantastic. 8.7/10