High Noon (1952)
I had seen this before but I probably wasn’t paying attention because this was way better than I remembered. While it is classic in many ways and forms in terms of storytelling and acting, it does stand as one of the earlier steps towards changes for the western genre. We see more hesitance and outright fear from “the hero” and while it’s overall message seem to be that one should step up for the greater good even if it comes to violence, I don’t feel it is so clear cut as that.
The central conflict between the city, the marshal and the outlaws sets up for some quite interesting dilemmas. From the church debate it is clear that Kane is well liked and he made the town safer, so in some sense the people owe him some support. One viewpoint is that they act like cowards for not stepping up. Another equally valid viewpoint is that this conflict is personal and since he chooses to stay in town, he brings the problem to the town. I don’t think the movie makes any clear statement to what is wrong or right here, though we do see the outcome of Kane dealing with it and then rejecting the town afterwards. So it had a price.
The story arc for his wife is a bit of a problematic one. The pacifist Quaker movement were often ridiculed in movies for not retorting to violence when it was deemed necessary, and this is no exception having Amy to make that choice between her belief and saving her husband. We don’t really see the outfall of that dramatic tragic turn for her as the movie just ends after that, so we are left to decide for ourselves what we think of that.
In conclusion, I really liked the tight script and execution of the simple story that allowed for plenty of interesting scenes in the short running time - that also runs close to real time with the clock ticking. It is old fashioned, but mostly in a good way and it paved the way for westerns in many decades afterwards.
Rating: 4.5