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Most Westerns end on a positive note. OK, the hero might even die, but there will still be enough good people around him, and plenty of good will, so you usually feel his death was not in vain.Not so in the High Noon. The hero is still alive at the end, and he does ride into the proverbial sunset, but you are left feeling empty, disgusted at human nature in general, almost revolted.
I am not a great Western expert, although I have seen my fair share of them, and I do think this is an unusual film in that respect.
After High Noon I will be reluctant to watch another one for a long time - I will be afraid to become disillusioned again... you know, in today's world this is the last thing one needs... after looking at his 401k report.
Follow Ups:
My feeling when watching this film is very unsettling. A glimpse at desperation and not understanding other peoples behavior that you feel you should be able to rely on. Is this what life is really all about? Maybe yes but hopefully no.
Mostly yes.
IMO, "High Noon" was the most perfectly conceived film ever made. Everything that is hot, stark, steely, and high-keyed came together so wonderfully. The climate in which the film was shot, the plot, the photography, the historical setting, the actors - in short, EVERYTHING congealed to produce the perfect movie of it's type. The only respite from the tension, as "Western" tradition dictates, might possibly be found in the resolute face of a certain old flame (ideally, a face of Mexican descent). "High Noon" almost had to be a Western because of the hot, dusty sort of bareness that the image conjured up for the public. Onto such a new, yet hot and dry, landscape the temperament of society would naturally reflect the desperation induced by sodbusting efforts all too recent for comfort, and ill-forgotten. So now, the director is totally free to blow into the midst the fiercest and most annoying little dustdevils imaginable, one right after the other. He needed the associated heat, sweat, and the flies. No other director I know of could conjure up more emotion with a shot of a single item, such as that beautiful courthouse chair that once held the convict. It's funny how that bedeviled chair almost quivers in the light, and yet it is so still... That's why I love this movie which was not really a "Western". Rather, it was some demonic form (The Wicked Witch of the West?), or genre, looking for a human skin in order to wreak havoc among the sons of God. That human skin just HAD to be the Old West, in this case.
Mr. Cooper was ill at the time of the fiming...he had fever, and if you look very closely at his face you can trace it. That did not hold him back from a real life romance with Grace..they said.
This film has some kind of neo-realism and in the time and context / witch hunt / reflect this well, an intellectual product.
To use at very small dose.
I have always thought this was one of the best westerns ever made. It actually is not exactly a pure western for the very reasons you describe. What this film left with me was you have to depend on yourself in the end to resolve your problems, also if you are not willing to make sacrifices to benifit yourself(townspeople) then you do not desirve the respect and help from others.Very linear concept, but sort of universal. Also as a side issue I thought this was Coopers best performance and the photography and background music was appropriate and added to the drama.
IMHO, the criminals were representations of an evil that folks were afraid to stand up against even if it meant that they took over the town. The sheriff, played by Cooper, represents more than law; he represents honor and freedom! As a result of the kind of threat facing the community he asked for help and initially deputized several townspeople, but as time drew near for the arrival of the three killers nearly everyone found some excuse to avoid the confrontation; the risks seemed too great. Instead, folks urged him to get on with his life and not to worry about the town; leave before the three criminals arrived as it was easier to let the thugs have their way and run things than fight back. However, in spite of occasional moments of doubt, he felt responsible; he'd taken an oath and was duty bound to serve the community even if it cost him everything. After all, a true hero stands up for justice even if he stands alone.Stanley Kramer's clever and powerful masterpiece is as fresh and relevent today as it was 50 years ago; it's actually a "western" in name only. Still, I'm not too surprised that you didn't care for it!
AuPh
Maybe you were thinking of "Bad Day at Black Rock"?Cheers, Bill.
Stanley Kramer was very involved with getting "High Noon" made, Fred Zinneman's contribution notwithstanding. My understanding is that Kramer was very "hands-on" in the production of this carefully crafted film because of it's subtext reflecting the paranoia of McCarthyism without directly offending those in Washington DC, who had already taken aim at the film industry. "Bad Day at Black Rock" is also an excellent film; I'm glad that you brought it up! This movie was also somewhat controversial at the time of it's release because it dealt with the touchy subject of racism and the forced internment of Japanese-American citizens. Another excellent movie!AuPh
First - there four killers, not three. The three were waiting for their leader to arrive. Four went to town, all to be killed by the sheriff.Second - you severely missread my post. Else you wouldn't say I didn't care for it. I said I felt ill and depressed - that is different, and might mean the film had the intended effect.
Being a Western always puts a movie at a disadvantage, as the genre is too particular, to restrictive, but High Noon pushes the envelop, and I like that. It is far more human than the majority of "mechanicsl" Westerns. There is a glimps of humanity in the main hero for sure, and actually in the passive cowards as well.
By comparisson the Rio Bravo is far more cliche driven, with ALL characters being just wooden cutouts with no iterest at all.
All in all, there have been some Westerns I didn't mind watching, but as the general genre that is not my cup of tea. But last night the TMC had the Western night, so I joined for a refresher course. I have seen these before, but still enjoyed the night.
It's been awhile since I watched High Noon and for some unknown reason that fourth killer momentarily evaded my recollection; yes, it does push the envelope and I'm glad you liked it.AuPh
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Joe is so much more fun...Take a look at the viewers reviews:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058275/usercomments
Most of them are spot on. One of the funniest movies ever.
That one sums it up nicely:
"It is known that Henry Fonda watched this title at the International Film Festival in Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) and declared it as the greatest enjoyment for the long time. And he did not know the Czech actors playing in the movie! This Czech elite made one of the most unforgettable happenings of all the time, and also the collaboration of director Oldrich Lipsky and the writer Jiri Brdecka made one of the best (not only Czech) parodies I have ever seen."
Sure it was made for TV back in the late 1960's, and sure the second half is spotty, but the first half of the movie is pretty funny.
John Astin starred as Evil Roy.
Unfortunately, I'm an olddude and haven't seen this flick in a loooong time....
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The reason Cooper had such a pained expression throughout is that he was suffering from hemmorhoids at the time of filming.
nt.
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