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Amazon.co.uk Review
One of the greatest Westerns ever made gets the deluxe treatment on this superior disc. Written by Carl Foreman (who was later blacklisted during the anticommunist hearings of the 1950s) and superbly directed by Fred Zinnemann, this 1952 classic stars Gary Cooper as just-married lawman Will Kane, who is about to retire as a small-town sheriff and begin a new life with his bride (Grace Kelly) when he learns that gunslinger Frank Miller (Ian MacDonald) is due to arrive at high noon to settle an old score. Kane seeks assistance from deputies and townsfolk, but soon realises he will have to stand alone in his showdown with Miller and his henchmen. Innovative for its time, the suspenseful story unfolds in approximate real time (from 10:40 a.m. to high noon in an 84-minute film), and many interpreted Foreman's drama as an allegorical reflection of apathy and passive acceptance of Senator Joseph McCarthy's anticommunist campaign. Political underpinnings aside, this remains a milestone of its genre (often referred to as the first "adult" Western), and Cooper is flawless in his Oscar-winning role. The first-rate DVD gives this landmark film all the respect it deserves, beginning with a digitally remastered transfer from the original film negative. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), English ( Subtitles ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Black & White, Documentary, Filmographies, Interactive Menu, Photo Gallery, Remastered, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: This Western classic stars Gary Cooper as Hadleyville marshal Will Kane, about to retire from office and go on his honeymoon with his new Quaker bride, Amy (Grace Kelly). But his happiness is short-lived when he is informed that the Miller gang, whose leader (Ian McDonald) Will had arrested, is due on the 12:00 train. Pacifist Amy urges Will to leave town and forget about the Millers, but this isn't his style; protecting Hadleyburg has always been his duty, and it remains so now. But when he asks for deputies to fend off the Millers, virtually nobody will stand by him. Chief Deputy Harvey Pell (Lloyd Bridges) covets Will's job and ex-mistress (Katy Jurado); his mentor, former lawman Martin Howe (Lon Chaney Jr.) is now arthritic and unable to wield a gun. Even Amy, who doesn't want to be around for her husband's apparently certain demise, deserts him. Meanwhile, the clocks tick off the minutes to High Noon -- the film is shot in "real time," so that its 85-minute length corresponds to the story's actual timeframe. Utterly alone, Kane walks into the center of town, steeling himself for his showdown with the murderous Millers. Considered a landmark of the "adult western," High Noon won four Academy Awards (including Best Actor for Cooper) and Best Song for the hit, "Do Not Forsake Me, O My Darling" sung by Tex Ritter. The screenplay was written by Carl Foreman, whose blacklisting was temporarily prevented by star Cooper, one of Hollywood's most virulent anti-Communists. John Wayne, another notable showbiz right-winger and Western hero, was so appalled at the notion that a Western marshal would beg for help in a showdown that he and director Howard H...High Noon (UK)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The greatest and best Western ever made, beautifully dark, real and with almost all of the usually prevalent adventurous and romantic John Wayne style removed. This is a thrilling, emotional and yet truthfully simple film that is directed with all the tense skill that Zinnemann would go on to show in 'Day of the Jackal'. The plot builds and builds in suspense, and while Cooper and Kelly expertly perform the pitiful roles of Kane and his bride that gain our empathy, the other townfolk demonstrate a contrasting cruel cowardice that is just...genuine.
The skill of the acting and direction and stark bleakness of the plot, mixed with a heady infusion of true love and goodness, gives it a reality that puts it above more romantic views of the West such as 'Stagecoach' and 'Rio Bravo'. 'The Searchers', 'Shane' and Eastwood's recent effort 'Unforgiven' come close to reproducing this, but it will take a real act of perfection to tumble 'High Noon' from its pedestal. I salute you!
The skill of the acting and direction and stark bleakness of the plot, mixed with a heady infusion of true love and goodness, gives it a reality that puts it above more romantic views of the West such as 'Stagecoach' and 'Rio Bravo'. 'The Searchers', 'Shane' and Eastwood's recent effort 'Unforgiven' come close to reproducing this, but it will take a real act of perfection to tumble 'High Noon' from its pedestal. I salute you!
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is an exceptional western: an exceptional film. It follows the three classical unities of time, place and theme: it takes place in 'real' time; the action is centred on the town and its environs; there are no sub-plots to detract from the main story. Tightly controlled and acted. A great credit to Fred Zinnemann and his team.
56 of 59 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Please be warned: as great a film as this is (and it’s a gem) the actual DVD is dreadful. Picture quality is on a par with a video – blurry and very dark. Sound quality is not much better. But worst of all, there are sudden black-outs between scenes that appear about 4-5 times throughout the film. These are very poorly done and sudden and do not appear on the region 1 release. I suspect they are fade-outs for commercials!
If you have a multi-region DVD player then check out the Region 1 version (not the Collectors Edition) for the best picture quality. The difference is amazing.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Simple. Powerful. Unforgettable
This was a story about a towns pride and courage, or lack of, in the late 19th Century. With little script and not much more action I was delighted that this slowish film moved at... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Lord Anon
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I saw this film shortly after it came out in 1952 when I was about six years old. Even then I thought it simply brilliant. Read more
Published 2 months ago by ZiggyT
High Noon
Classic cowboy. Definately one of the best films of ALL time. 'Coop' at his brilliant best. What makes the film so good? Read more
Published 3 months ago by sjb999
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High noon is simply one of the best westerns ever made , the way it holds one in ones seat, the tension of the slow continuous build up , to the exciting end , so simple, few... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr. Patrick De-pass
DVD
No problems with this purchase Item arrived safe and sound well wrapped. Good delivery time very fast. Great price. Many Thanks.
Published 7 months ago by amileon
High Noon
A good remake. only had to wait for delivery a couple of days just in time for my husband who is mad on anything on the wild west
Published 12 months ago by Margaret
This is just a dirty little village in the middle of nowhere. Nothing...
Will Kane (Gary Cooper) is a retiring lawman all set to leave the town of Hadleyville with his new bride Amy (Grace Kelly). Read more
Published 15 months ago by Spike Owen
A real weston
This is one of the greatest weston movies of all time. Gary Cooper at his best, I just had to have movie in my collection.
Published 18 months ago by Grip
High Noon, 1952 (2008 Republic Pictures release) - THE classic Western
Much imitated but never equalled, this is the classic Western of all time. We all know the story - the Marshall of a small town is alerted that a gang of ruthless killers are out... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Victor
A classic black & white western
A film that transfers well to the small screen. Shot in monochrome and accompanied by the famous sound track sung by Tex Ritter, the drums rythmically beating out time passing as... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Supersnake
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