MovieChat Forums > High Noon (1952) Discussion > Why not 'arrest' the 3 gunman before the...

Why not 'arrest' the 3 gunman before the train arrived?

posted 12 years ago by ChicagoToffee
22 replies | jump to latest

It baffles me why the marshall didn't confront the 3 gunmen before the train came into town, and tell them they were under arrest for loitering (or drinking in public, or spitting, etc.). After all, one vs. three is a lot better odds, than one vs. four.

If the 3 gunmen let themselves be arrested, fine. And if not, blast 'em away for resisting arrest with your trusty sawed-off shotgun.

In either case, the marshall could then face down Frank in a fair gunfight when he arrived in town.

[–] Nobody-27 12 years ago

two reasons:

1. As soon as he was to approach them, they would have shot him. This was the most likely scenario.
2. He did not really have a reason to arrest them, and this was brought up in the film.

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] jmhow 11 years ago

Besides, this way he got to kill them all off so there was no chance of them coming after him again in the future.

www.freerice.com

[–] Gambitt 12 years ago

"arrest for loitering (or drinking in public, or spitting, etc.). "

I'm pretty sure he'd have to arrest half the town if those were crimes.

[–] tbonesays 12 years ago

I doubt a 19th century West town bothered to criminalize those things.

[–] rmcap965-982-388208 12 years ago

Which does bring up the point....why did Kane not use a deadly weapon of its time the sawed off coach shotgun? If it was good enough for Holiday,why not Kane?

[–] Tresix 12 years ago

You have to get closer to use a sawed-off shotgun. That would have given Miller and his gang better odds of shooting Kane if he didn't have the element of surprise. As to whether or not a sheriff back in those days would have questioned the legality of arresting three men: Yes, he would have. Maybe earlier in the century Kane would have leaned on the men, but by that point in time, the men had more constitutional rights. You could argue that Kane was retiring anyway, why not go for it? Knowing the type of man that he was, I don't think Kane would have wanted something like that on his record.

"I'm in such bad shape, I'm wearing prescription underwear." Phyllis Diller 1917-2012

[–] rmcap965-982-388208 12 years ago

The new marshall was due the next day...its outrageous that his life would not take precedence over legality especially when not ONE townsperson would not back his play.If they did not give a damn about the town why should he care about a slap on the wrist.And he wouldn't have had to sneak up on them,not while they were waiting for their boss to arrive.Lock the bastards up and I bet all of a sudden he would have had backup....then just wait for the skell to get off the train and cuff him.When the new lawman shows up wait in town for their release and now you'll have another paisan on your side.There are a lot of variations on this not just four guns against one?!

[–] Tresix 12 years ago

Some people had even suggested that Kane just go on and leave and leave Miller's gang to the new sheriff. But, as we can see, Kane didn't think like that. I agree that if the townspeople didn't really care then Kane shouldn't have. But, as they say in some westerns: "A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do."

As Kane said when someone else said to arrest them, they weren't breaking any law. There's none against waiting on a train. Also, did you see how out in the open that train station was? The outlaws would have seen Kane coming with the shotgun from several yards away and been reaching for their pistols before he got close enough. Now, if the shotgun had its full barrel, Kane would have been able to use that distance to his advantage.

"I'm in such bad shape, I'm wearing prescription underwear." Phyllis Diller 1917-2012

[–] bomboogie 8 years ago

In one of his westerns, John Wayne played a sheriff who carried a Winchester rifle so he would have a range advantage in a gunfight.

[–] baran_erik 9 years ago

Maybe because Holliday was basically a criminal?
A better question was why he didn't use any of the rifles he had made sure were loaded.

[–] rmcap965-982-388208 12 years ago

He could have used a Winchester but the big point is that they wouldn't have touched him till their boss arrived..He could have locked them up and if you noticed the bad guy got off the train with no weapon; he could have held him easy.Then if the next marshall let all of them go,the new marshall would have known the situation and Kane would have been ready but then it would have been a new movie?!

[–] Tresix 12 years ago

Yeah, a rifle would have been better. But, once again, there was no charge to have held the men on. Kane is a man of honor and wouldn't do something like make up something. Even if Miller didn't have his gun, his gang did. These guys wouldn't likely go quietly. Also, there were other people on the platform, innocent bystanders. The ones usually hit in a big gunfight. Not to mention that they would probably take hostages, escalating the situation.

"I'm in such bad shape, I'm wearing prescription underwear." Phyllis Diller 1917-2012

[–] wolfefan 11 years ago

Obviously we know they're some of the bad guys, but in the film it's asked 'why didn't you arrest em Marshall.' Paraphrasing - 'because they haven't done anything Mr. Trumbull. You can't arrest someone for sittin' on a bench at the depot'. Not sure if I got I got it quite right, but that's basically it. He took care of 'em though.

[–] movies789 11 years ago

The main reason he didn't go after the first three before the train's arrival was that he was using every available minute scrambling all over town trying to round up help. It wasn't until "high noon", and Frank Miller's arrival, that he resigned himself to going it alone.

[–] DracTarashV 11 years ago

In either case, the marshall could then face down Frank in a fair gunfight when he arrived in town.

Nah, chances are Frank would have run like a bitch if he had to fight Kane alone. I think.

Hey there, Johnny Boy, I hope you fry!

[–] baran_erik 9 years ago

As Kane said, they had done nothing for which he could arrest them. It's not against the law to sit on a bench at the depot. Or are you one of those who talk big about being a law and order kind of guy, but break the law when it suits your needs, which is what you're suggesting.

[–] rmcap965-982-388208 9 years ago

Miller didn't want him touched till he got there another reason to arrest the three..if I'm retiring that's another reason to face false arrest than being killed...