Gary Cooper won the Oscar(R) for the Best Actor in this classic tale of a lawman who stands alone to defend a town of cowardly citizens against a gang of revenge-seeking criminals. In the greatest showdown in the history of cinema, Cooper stands to lose not only the town but his new wife, Grace Kelly. The film also stars one of Hollywood’s most beloved and prolific actors, Lloyd Bridges, and marks the first starring role for a beautiful young actress and internationally adored screen legend – Grace Kelly. HIGH NOON garnered a total of four Academy Awards(R) including Best Editing, Score and Original Song.One of the greatest Westerns ever made gets the deluxe treatment on this superior disc from Republic Home Video’s Silver Screen Classics line of special-edition DVDs. Written by Carl Foreman (who was later blacklisted during the anticommunist hearings of the ’50s) 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 realizes he’ll 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. Additional features include the exclusive documentary The Making of High Noon, hosted by film historian Leonard Maltin and featuring interviews with the late Lloyd Bridges (who played Cooper’s rival ex-deputy), director Fred Zinnemann, and producer Stanley Kramer. Also included is the original theatrical trailer and a special chapter stop highlighting the Oscar-winning song “Do Not Forsake Me.” Offered in English and dubbed French and Spanish, with English closed-captioning or Spanish and French subtitles. –Jeff Shannon
Buy “High Noon “ For Only $11.80
April 6, 2008
#1
If you’re only used to more modern westerns, this one will kill you. It’s is almost shot in real time (meaning that they show the clock constantly, and it’s as slow as the movie). Sadly predictable by today’s standards.
The notion is unique and brilliant, but the movie isn’t entertaining. It’s borderline annoying.
I’m way off base compared to most reviews here, which is why I started out stating “If you’re only used to modern westerns…”
April 6, 2008
#2
I saw this movie in class. It isn’t good. The most retarded part is when they keep talking about that stupid chair! And then when they have that “eerie” music they zoom in on it. P-A-T-H-E-T-I-C! The only good part is Grace Kelly!
April 6, 2008
#3
Is this DVD restored in any way?
This is pretty basic information missing from the Amazon review.
Note on the rating: The website does not allow posting without a rating. Obviously no one here has any basis for rating the DVD as a product. The movie itself remains as good as it ever was though.
I have given the DVD product a one star rating as I can not endorse a product sight unseen.
April 6, 2008
#4
I watched this movie with great anticipation, however, i was so dissappointed. There was no plot, and Gary Cooper, a find actor gave one of the worst perfomances ever recorded on film. The one bright spot in this movie was Grace Kelly, and I wish this film hadn’t been re-edited, which cut a lot of Grace Kelly out. The title song which won the Oscar, is played insesently, which cause it to loose whatever quality or charm it had. Overall, this movie was so utterly boring and inane that it is one of the greatly overated films of its time.
April 6, 2008
#5
I watched this movie with great anticipation, however, i was so dissappointed. There was no plot, and Gary Cooper, a find actor gave one of the worst perfomances ever recorded on film. The one bright spot in this movie was Grace Kelly, and I wish this film hadn’t been re-edited, which cut a lot of Grace Kelly out. The title song which won the Oscar, is played insesently, which cause it to loose whatever quality or charm it had. Overall, this movie was so utterly boring and inane that it is one of the greatly overated films of its time.