Product description

High Noon [1952]

Price: £12.80
RRP: £15.99
Average customer rating: 4.5

Binding : DVD
EAN : 0044006189628
Label : Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer : Universal Pictures UK
Publisher : Universal Pictures UK
Release date : 2001-01-01
Title : High Noon [1952]
Actor : Array
Audience rating : Universal, suitable for all
Format : Array
Languages : Array
Number of items : 1
Original release date : 1952-01-01
Region code : 2
Running time : 109
Studio : Universal Pictures UK
Theatrical releaseDate : 1952-07-30
Number of discs : 1

Editorial reviews

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

Customer reviews

review by: stefanmorawiec date: 2008-08-15 rating:

The template for a gripping tale
What can be said about the quintessential template for an intruiging plot. Based on a real-time drame, this film is every bit as good as when I saw it 45 years ago.

You could literally take this plot and place the reaction of the various players into any element of life, be it in an office, a sporting event or even a western.

Incredibly gripping, when friends turn against Kane for various reasons, turning reasonable people ino villains, but what about Kane himself? Why should people support his decision when he is potentially leading everyone down a dangerous path.

Absolutely brilliant and one to watch. Forget that it is old, in monochrome and has a poor souldtrack. Examine a pice of film-making at its best, innovative in structure and if nothing else, something to make you think.

review by: Thorny Bush date: 2008-05-05 rating:

"It's Coop', Cleef'n'Clocks".
This is a great film. It's not your typical western but is unquestionably one of the best. It's a taught drama based within the genre with powerhouse performances all round. Cooper is so understated in all he does pulling off this tale of a desperate marshall with ease. Look out for Lee Van Cleef in his first appearance on screen. He has no lines but visually commands his scenes from the opening shot. There are no sweeping landscapes here however as the focal point is firmly based in the small town. It's character driven with tension building to the final drop. It's a must see. Adios.

review by: philA date: 2007-09-22 rating:

Greatest ever western
An inspirational movie
Good triumphs over evil against all odds. Whenever I have a crisis I watch this film and it lifts me. A strong story, a clever screenplay and an oustanding score blend together to form the greatest western of all time. My wife is not a great western fan but she has watched it at least 20 times and adores the film. Recommended!

review by: almac1975 date: 2007-01-23 rating:

a classic in every sense
This film is absolutely marvellous, almost faultless. Against the advice of everyone and at great personal risk, a man - Gary Cooper, who is wonderful - stays true to himself and faces the Miller gang. If he turns away from his destiny, his life's work goes for nothing. If he faces it, he loses his new wife (Grace Kelly) and possibly his life as well. So it seems, but the film has some surprises to spring. No-one of note stands by him, though one or two, touchingly, try. The film is full of beautifully shot scenes, Cooper is mesmerising and the rest of a fine cast never let him down - and there is extra atmosphere from the haunting little cowboy song called, 'Do not Foresake me O my Darling'. This really is one of the classics of American cinema, one of the best of all Westerns, and well worth seeing.

review by: Dougs, Author of Vrolok date: 2007-01-04 rating:

Never Forsaken
The Forsaken Sheriff, Will Kane (Gary Cooper) has just a few hours to find men to help him fend off Frank Miller, a killer he has put in jail once before. Miller is arriving on a train at noon. Every man Kane has sworn to protect deserts him as the time ticks by. Kane has to face Frank Miller and his henchmen alone. Against all odds, he kills Frank Miller, with the help of his Quaker wife, then promptly leaves town, tossing his sheriff's badge in the dirt. (Throwing the badge in the dirt was improvised by Cooper, and John Wayne never forgave him for this. Wayne thought this act was distinctly un-American.)

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