"Do not forsake me oh my darling" was not a bad theme song for this film and certainly mirrors the level of excitement felt throughout.
The fist-fight between Gary Cooper and Lloyd Bridges was actually nice because i woke up for a minute, but it was rather fake but what do you expect from stage combat in this film era...look at the dude that gets "shot" in "The Ox-bow Incident."
I liked madame Ramirez but spent most of the movie trying to decide if she was a business woman or a prostitute because of all her visitors.
I do recognize and appreciate the symbolism and excellent cinematography within the film, but this one is just not for me.
Your little remark about the fight between Mr. Kane and harvey (whiny little brat) being "rather fake"is uncalled for. FYI, Mr. Cooper was in poor health when he made this movie, and they were being very careful as to not injure him.
Don't watch it if you don't like it. There's a real handy little button on your remote. It's called the channel changer. USE IT.
I wasn't much for the film either, though I do enjoy western movies. It started out slow, which is typical of some western movies. What struck me the most was how much of a role the women had. It was very interesting to watch how the story behind Mrs. Ramirez and the newly wed Amy Fowler Kane shaped the movie just as much as Marshal Will Kane and the citizens of the town did. I must admit, I cheered when Amy shot that guy. It was about time she took a stand and threw aside her strong pacifist views to protect the one she loved. I doubt that Amy would of ever came to staying if it wasn't for Mrs. Ramirez telling Amy that she would stay by Will, but she wasn't his wife.
I just finished watching the moving again. I thought it was great. The build up, the way the town abandoned Kane after all he had done, the Quaker taking up arms to save her husband, on and on. Excellent movie. In a way it reminded of a Hitchcock type movie. Thouroughly enjoyed it.
The movie was basically following a whiney wimpy wannabe sheriff as he goes around town trying to get lesser qualified people to do his job for him while offering no compensation. Ultimately once I felt nothing but pure hatred of the main character, he wins, movie over, pure disappointment.
PS yes I agree, that was the worst theme song of any movie I have ever watched.
I don't think that High Noon is a bad movie but i do agree that it is overated, especially within its own genre. There are plenty of westerns better than this in one in my opinion but lots of critics lists seem to show this as the best.
I can't get beyond the fact that the whole town refuses to help Kane in his hour of need. It simply wouldn't happen like that. I know its the movies and reality is bypassed, but once you don't like something about a movie then it is difficult to rate it. It is enjoyable but not great.
Shut the hell up for God shakes. Lol you have no damn right to call a person idiotic just because they don't like a movie that you adore and treasure. I didn't care for High Noon either. That doesn't make me an idiot. I like alot of westerns. The Searchers is one of my favorites along with The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. I like Shane as well, Sergeant Rutledge. I can keep naming but High Noon is truly not one of them at all.
I personally think this is among the best westerns i have seen, and i have seen more than 1000 westerns believe me. BUT, who gives a crap what I or any of you non-qualified "critics" think? You don't like Gary, the way he played the role... HE WON AN OSCAR FOR THAT ROLE. You don't like the music in the movie, especially the song "High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin')".... THE MOVIE GOT AN OSCAR FOR MUSIC, AND THAT PARTICULAR SONG ALSO GOT AN OSCAR. Also the movie got an Oscar for editing. So that's 4 Oscars... Overrated? Leave the criticism to the professionals. Thank you.
I think one problem is that if one is seeking a WESTERN, they might not warm up to this movie so quickly. I think this is a great movie, although I don't particularly say, It's my favorite "western". It's more like a drama within a western setting. It takes a basically simple premise that and build on that adding more and more as the film goes along, Very similar to what Maurice Ravel did with his famous composition "Bolero". Putting the Hour and a half film in basically real time and working in as much as possible within those limitations while keeping the story concise and complete. I think it was an outstanding job. The very artistic use of the stark B&W cinematography is the icing.
"HE WON AN OSCAR FOR THAT ROLE". What does that prove? There are plenty of Oscar winners that were head-scratchers. After all, this film lost the Best Picture Oscar to The Greatest Show on Earth. Really, The Greatest Show on Earth? How many times do they show that turkey on TV? Frankly, as an actor, I think Cooper was a stiff.