21. High Noon
I’ve reached the half-way point with the AFI 100 Best Movies list. And I was very pleasantly surprised by High Noon. I didn’t think that a movie that is mostly about waiting would be really interesting, but it was, and even delivered on the promise of the first hour and fifteen minutes.
High Noon is the story of Will Kane (Gary Cooper). At the beginning of the film he is getting married to Amy (Grace Kelly) who is also a Quaker. He used to be the marshal for the town, but due to his wife’s religion, he is quitting and moving out of town. But then word comes in -- Frank something or other is coming back to town on the noon train and he’s out for Will. High Noon takes place (more or less) in real time, so the hour or so until the train gets in is spent trying to round up a posse. Will talks to everyone in the town, but they all have excuses for not standing with him, most of which are that it is his problem and he should leave town now. Will doesn’t want to leave town; even if he does, Frank will follow him and he will never have peace. Will’s wife even leaves him because she cannot understand his need to stay and do his job.
The final shoot-out is very dramatic. Will manages to take down two of the outlaws and Amy shoots the other one in the back. After hearing the gunshots, she left the train to come to her husband’s aid. Despite Frank taking his wife hostage, Will manages to kill him. Once Frank is dead, the whole town pours out into the empty street. Will and Amy leave, but first Will tosses his tin star on the ground.
High Noon was not quite a typical Western -- there seemed to be more thought behind it, and generally a typical Western doesn’t have the lone man standing up for what he believes in. I’m sure there is lots of analysis that can be applied to High Noon, but I honestly enjoyed it as a good moral story. I also really enjoyed Lloyd Bridges as Harve, the deputy who can’t grow up. And there is a song that is repeated throughout the whole film that is oddly catchy. It’s kind of a corny melody, but it really works for the film.
FILE UNDER: Classic Film ; 31 Films in 31 Days Challenge
High Noon is the story of Will Kane (Gary Cooper). At the beginning of the film he is getting married to Amy (Grace Kelly) who is also a Quaker. He used to be the marshal for the town, but due to his wife’s religion, he is quitting and moving out of town. But then word comes in -- Frank something or other is coming back to town on the noon train and he’s out for Will. High Noon takes place (more or less) in real time, so the hour or so until the train gets in is spent trying to round up a posse. Will talks to everyone in the town, but they all have excuses for not standing with him, most of which are that it is his problem and he should leave town now. Will doesn’t want to leave town; even if he does, Frank will follow him and he will never have peace. Will’s wife even leaves him because she cannot understand his need to stay and do his job.
The final shoot-out is very dramatic. Will manages to take down two of the outlaws and Amy shoots the other one in the back. After hearing the gunshots, she left the train to come to her husband’s aid. Despite Frank taking his wife hostage, Will manages to kill him. Once Frank is dead, the whole town pours out into the empty street. Will and Amy leave, but first Will tosses his tin star on the ground.
High Noon was not quite a typical Western -- there seemed to be more thought behind it, and generally a typical Western doesn’t have the lone man standing up for what he believes in. I’m sure there is lots of analysis that can be applied to High Noon, but I honestly enjoyed it as a good moral story. I also really enjoyed Lloyd Bridges as Harve, the deputy who can’t grow up. And there is a song that is repeated throughout the whole film that is oddly catchy. It’s kind of a corny melody, but it really works for the film.
Do not forsake me O my darlin'
On this our wedding day.
Do not forsake me O my darlin'
Wait, wait along.
The noonday train will bring Frank Miller.
If I'm a man I must be brave
And I must face that deadly killer
Or lie a coward, a craven coward,
Or lie a coward in my grave.
O to be torn 'twixt love and duty!
S'posin' I lose my fair-haired beauty!
Look at that big hand move along
Nearin' high noon.
He made a vow while in State's Prison,
Vow'd it would be my life or his and
I'm not afraid of death, but O,
What will I do if you leave me?
Do not forsake me O my darlin'
You made that promise when we wed.
Do not forsake me O my darlin'
Although you're grievin',
I can't be leavin'
Until I shoot Frank Miller dead.
Wait along, wait along
Wait along
Wait along
FILE UNDER: Classic Film ; 31 Films in 31 Days Challenge
posted by Rebecca at 8:51 PM
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