"You're a good-looking boy: you've got big, broad shoulders. But he's a man. And it takes more than big, broad shoulders to make a man."

High Noon

1952; USA; 85 min.

Director: Fred Zinnemann

Screenplay: Carl Foreman, John W. Cunningham

Music: Dimitri Tiomkin, Ned Washington, Tex Ritter, William Cool White, William Steffe, Julia Ward Howe

Cast:

Marshal Will Kane - Gary Cooper

Mayor Jonas Henderson - Thomas Mitchell

Deputy Marshal Harvey Pell - Lloyd Bridges

Helen Ramirez - Katy Jurado

Amy Fowler Kane - Grace Kelly

Frank Miller - Ian MacDonald

When I typically think of Westerns, I think of a saloon, a shoot-out, tumbleweed, and cowboys. "High Noon" did provide the saloon, shooting, and sheriffs, but also proved that Westerns are more than this preconceived image. "High Noon" is the story of Marshal Will Kane (Gary Cooper), who has just married Amy Fowler (Grace Kelly), a Quaker woman. When Marshal Kane finds out than Frank Miller (Ian MacDonald) is returning to town, he forgoes his honeymoon to protect his town. Kane was once responsible for Miller's arrest, and Miller has a personal vendetta against Kane. As the film elapses in real time ("reel time in real time"), the audience learns of Kane's past relationship with Helen Ramirez (Katy Jurado), as well as Amy's past. Finally, when the clock strikes high noon, Kane and Frank Miller face off. The rest of the plot unfold and finally concludes with a shocking ending. I really loved the romantic aspect of the film (obviously). What I found interesting about the film was the political element of it. I hadn't even thought of the fact that it was an influential movie through a political lens. It was only when the class discussed the film that I realized this. While this film did deliver some elements of a stereotypical, quintessential western, it definitely opened my mind to my prior dismissal of westerns. 

iRate: 3.5/5 guns

Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2041381145/