Not the
conventional John Wayne good guy proving to be higher than all, but a movie
that portrays what life really is: you can’t do everything by yourself; you
need the help of others.
High Noon stars
Gary Cooper and was a subject of controversy at the time of its release, with
some deeming the protagonist's behavior as un-American. But no matter what they
said, High Noon has been a White House favorite. Bill Clinton cited it as his
favorite film ever, and during his tenure, he screened it 17 times at the White
House.
This 1952
American Western movie is ranked 27th on the American Film Institute's 100
Movies... 100 Years. Gary Cooper, the lead, was actually about 30 years older
than Grace Kelly, who played his wife in the movie. High Noon isn't filled with
the regular violence, shooting, riding, and chases that most Westerns are known
for — except for the ending, where the shooting finally takes place.
The plot
revolves around the battle of a man who had to carry the load of a town alone.
Will Kane (Gary Cooper) is the marshal of Hadleyville. He’s just married a
pacifist Quaker, Amy Fowler (Grace Kelly), and he planned to turn in his badge,
go on a honeymoon with his wife, and start a new life elsewhere.
Kane picks up
his badge and decides to stay until Miller arrives to see what his plans are.
Waiting for Miller’s arrival are three of his gang members, which Kane sees as
a sign of trouble ahead.
The movie
centers on the difficulty Kane faces in trying to raise a team of deputies to
help face Miller and his gang, just in case trouble arises.
High Noon won 4
Academy Awards, including Best Actor in a Leading Role for Gary Cooper, which
was received for him by John Wayne, who disliked the film. Wayne is noted to
have said that his movie Rio Bravo was made as a response to High Noon.
The movie's
director, Fred Zinnemann, known for his attention to detail, won two Academy
Awards for directing From Here to Eternity and A Man for All Seasons.
High Noon isn’t
your conventional Western, but it’s a classic all the way, so there’s no reason
not to see what the AFI calls the 2nd best Western movie.
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