High Noon
High Noon
A town Marshal, despite the disagreements of his newlywed bride and the townspeople around him, must face a gang of deadly killers alone at "high noon" when the gang leader, an outlaw he "sent up" years ago, arrives on the noon train.
Razorbitz reviewedFebruary 22, 2025
An early masterwork of tension with no time to spare for pleasantries. High Noon is the style of film I wish would see a return in the current century; barely over an hour and here to punch you in the teeth. You'll thank them for later. While I have no real nostalgia for westerns, this is one that works on a taut script and wastes no words on setting stakes and delivering upon them in an ever climbing roll of stakes as the titular hour approaches.
Much of the thematic elements it explores aren't lost on me, but this film has been discussed for near a century now and I don't dare try to put my amateur analysis to this classic; only that it should be watched and explored like any film deserving of its centenial appreciation.
Even if you are averse to any of its tin plate elements or this general era of cinema, this one shouldn't be missed if you have any appreciation at all for the craft. The art of brevity is lost on most filmmakers these days; High Noon is a great example as to why the art should be relearned.