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From Amazon.co.uk
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
Fred Zinnemann directs this classic western starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly. A just-married and newly retired small town sheriff, Will Kane (Cooper), stays on the job one more day in order to face up to a vengeful outlaw due to arrive on the noon train. As the clock slowly ticks towards the appointed hour, Kane realises he must also contend with the objections of his pacifist Quaker bride (Kelly) and the indifference of the townsfolk, who are willing to sacrifice him to ensure their own safety. The film received seven Oscar nominations including Best Picture and Best Director and won four with Cooper picking up the Best Actor award.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 33 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Will Kane will go out there at noon and die, and this town will die with him"
14 Nov 2006
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!
67 of 72 people found the following review helpful
By B. Bagnall
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.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
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.
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
I Know It's A Cliché, But.....
...'A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do' is (for me) probably nowhere better exemplified than in this 1952 Western masterpiece directed by Fred Zinnemann. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Keith M
4.0 out of 5 stars
Memories!
Basic DVD, none of the extras we do expect these days, but a film full of tension, well acted and with brilliant music. That's worth the DVD alone.
Published 1 month ago by Dic Penderyn
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic western.
Simply accept this film for the classic western that it is. Don't look for any hidden political messages. Great entertainment.
Published 1 month ago by Welliewearer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fine film
It worked and the film isGary Cooper's best in my opinion whether viewed as a simple Western or a coo meant on Macarthyism prevalent in the states at the time
Published 2 months ago by Mr. R. J. Cox
5.0 out of 5 stars
'PEOPLE OF THIS TOWN DON'T DESERVE A HERO'
this is allmost certainly the 'daddy' of 'all-time' westerns.
'marshall will kane' had just married 'amy' .. Read more
'marshall will kane' had just married 'amy' .. Read more
Published 2 months ago by rbmusicman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic
High Noon was and still is my favourite western, I never tire of watching the film, the whole cast excel themselves an absolute feats for those who loved the old type western. Read more
Published 2 months ago by D. Stevenson
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a classic
I have remembered this film ever since it was shown on TV one Saturday afternoon when the weather led to the cancellation of most if not all sporting activities. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Michael
5.0 out of 5 stars
a classic
You do not need to be a western 'fan' to appreciate this wonderful, moral tale and in many ways a plot Shakespeare could have written.
Published 2 months ago by D Brook
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gary Cooper
Gary is great in High Noon one of the Great westerns along with Shane. The only difference is High Noon is in black and white which gives it more drama. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. A. G. Suddaby
5.0 out of 5 stars
All time classic
However many times you've seen this before, it is hard not to shed a tear or two at the end of this gripping, emotional story. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Michael J. Wilson
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