High Noon
released in 1952

”High Noon” is an American Western film in black and white and released in 1952. It was directed by Fred Zinnemann and produced by Stanley Kramer and Carl Foreman. The story was written by John W. Cunningham and the screenplay was written by Carl Foreman. It was inspired by a short story called “The Tin Star”. It stars the legendary Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly with Lon Chaney Jr., Katy Jurado, Ian McDonald, Sheb Wooley, Lee Van Cleef, Robert J. Wilke, Lloyd Bridges, Harry Morgan, Thomas Mitchell, Otto Kruger, Harry Shannon and Eve McVeagh.

The story begins when Will Kane, played by Gary Cooper, intends to retire his marshal badge and become a storekeeper. He then learns that Frank Miller, played by Ian MacDonald, and his gang is on his way back from jail to seek justice on Will Kane, the man that put him away. Will Kane decides to wear the badge one more time to protect his life and the welfare of the town. His wife Amy Fowler, played by Grace Kelly, is a pacifist and objects to Will´s decision. After all Frank Miller is a very dangerous man with a posse of dangerous criminals.

He tells his deputies and people of the town his decision and none of them come forward to help him, even though he is a highly respected man. They would rather live under the tyranny of Frank Miller then risk their lives for a town free of corruption and gangster control. His wife is scared too and abandons him. Will Kane finds himself alone to face the biggest threat he has ever known.

Some of the key elements that make this such a good film is the storyline and tension rising to a climax where the protagonist is in a duel to the death. It has some great action with a nail-biting gun battle. The main character´s situation makes him an easy hero to root for. He has served as town sheriff with integrity but gets abandoned by everybody including his wife in his hour of need.

The ending is also very good and I think that anybody in Will´s situation would have reacted the same way, if not more extreme. The main character has courage and a sense of duty that is admirable. He is also sensible enough not to leave such a serious threat the chance to follow him.

“High Noon” is a classic American western that is worth seeing.

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I2Q Blogs / The Visual Medium Carl Foreman / Fred Zinneman / Gary Cooper / Grace Kelly / High Noon / Katy Jurado / Lloyd Bridges / Stanley Kramer /