Part 1: Screening Report On High Noon Movie
The story of High Noon is told from the perspective of lawman Marshal Will Kane, played by Gary Cooper (Nolletti). The film opens with Kane retiring from his job as Marshal of the small town of Hadleyville. He plans to marry his Quaker bride Amy Fowler, played by Grace Kelly, and start a new life. However, Kane’s plans are derailed when he learns that Frank Miller, a criminal he sent to prison, has been released on parole and is coming to town to seek revenge. Kane knows that Miller will be coming for him, so he has to decide: run away and start his life over, or stay and face Miller. Kane decides to stay and fight, even though it means almost certain death. He enlists the help of his old friends, but they all turn against him. The film is shot in real-time, with the clock ticking to high noon as the tension builds. This creates a sense of pressure and urgency, and we are rooting for the Marshal to succeed in his mission. Kane’s friends and the townsfolk all abandon him, leaving him alone to face Miller. In the end, Kane triumphs.
The film is an allegory for the McCarthy era, and the Marshal symbolizes those fighting against the communist threat (Fisher). The film is a critique of how the government was handling the situation and calls for people to take a stand against tyranny and injustice. The film is an essential piece of American history and is still relevant today.
The level of drama in High Noon is relatively high, as the story follows the town sheriff′s attempts to defend it against a group of outlaws. However, there are also moments of fun and humor, which help to balance out the more intense moments. Overall, the story is engaging and exciting, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the viewer′s attention.
The central conflict in High Noon is resolved when the town sheriff, Gary Cooper, finally defeats the group of outlaws. This is after a long and suspenseful battle in which the sheriff is outnumbered and outgunned. However, he is ultimately able to prevail, thanks to his skills and ingenuity and his wife’s return. This resolution is satisfying and exciting, making for a delightful film. The characters in High Noon undergo several changes throughout the film. The sheriff, for instance, starts as a relatively peaceful man but is forced to become a ruthless killer to protect his town. Similarly, the outlaws start as relatively calm and collected but devolve into a chaotic and violent mob as the film continues. Ultimately, the characters are all changed by their experiences, becoming either better or worse people as a result.
The technical aspects of High Noon are all very well done and contribute to the film’s overall effectiveness. The dialogue is sharp and witty, while the narration is effectively used to help move the story along. The sound effects are used sparingly but to significant impact, and the critical use of silence helps to create a sense of suspense and tension. The use of shadows and light makes sense of foreboding and dread. The camera angles are well chosen, and the locations are effectively used to create a sense of isolation and desolation. Overall, the technical aspects of High Noon are all very well done and help to develop a sense of tension and excitement.
The central message of High Noon is delivered via emotional appeal, as the sheriff′s wife pleads with him to give up his fight and leave town. However, the sheriff′s sense of duty and honor compels him to stay and fight, even though he knows it may cost him his life. This emotional appeal is very effective, as it helps to create a sense of suspense and tension. Ultimately, the film’s central message is that duty and honor are more important than self-preservation.
Part 2: A Review Based On Screening Report
Introduction
High Noon is a 1952 American Western film produced by Stanley Kramer, directed by Fred Zinneman, and starring Gary Cooper. (Nolletti) Based on an original story by John W. Cunningham, the plot centers around a town marshal who is forced to face a gang of killers by himself when the townspeople refuse to stand up and help him.
The film was shot in black-and-white and released in a limited release in December 1952 before going into wide release in February 1953. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Cooper), Best Supporting Actor (Oscar Homolka), Best Supporting Actress (Katy Jurado), Best Director, Best Editing, and Best Original Screenplay. It won four Academy Awards, including Best Actor (Cooper), Best Editing, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song (“High Noon”). High Noon has been praised by critics and is considered one of the greatest Westerns. In 1989, the United States Library of Congress selected the film for preservation in the National Film Registry, deeming it “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
Summary Of The Story
The story is set in Hadleyville, New Mexico, in the late 1800s. The town’s Marshal, Will Kane (Gary Cooper), is about to retire and move to New York with his new wife, Amy (Grace Kelly). However, his plans are interrupted when he learns that a man he had sent to prison, Frank Miller (Ian McDonald), has been released and is coming to town on the noon train to take revenge. Kane tries to convince the townspeople to help him stand up to Miller, but they are all too afraid. Kane is forced to face Miller and his gang by himself with no one else to turn to. The film culminates in a showdown between Kane and Miller, with Kane emerging victorious. However, the townspeople still refuse to help him, and Kane is forced to leave the town alone and discredited.
Analysis Of The Plot Elements
The story’s rising action begins when Kane learns that Miller has been released from prison and is coming to town. With no one else to turn to, Kane is forced to face Miller and his gang by himself. The climax of the story occurs during the showdown between Kane and Miller. Kane emerges victorious.
Creative Elements
The film is shot in black-and-white, which contributes to the film’s Western feel. The camera techniques used also help to create this feeling, with the majority of the shots being close-ups and medium shots. This allows the viewer to see the expressions on the characters’ faces, which is important in conveying the emotions of the scene. The dialogue in the film is also important in conveying the mood and tone. The majority of the dialogue is spoken in a very matter-of-fact way, which helps to create the feeling of tension and unease that runs throughout the film.
The characters in the film are also well-developed and contribute to the overall plot. Will Kane is a strong and determined character, who is willing to stand up to Miller, even though he knows he is outnumbered and outgunned. Amy is a more compassionate character, who is torn between her love for Kane and her fear for her own safety. The use of colors is also important in conveying the mood of the film. The black-and-white photography creates a feeling of suspense and unease, which is fitting for a film about a man who is facing down a gang of killers.
Opinion
High Noon is a well-crafted film that is suspenseful and thrilling. The plot is well-paced, and the characters are well-developed. The film’s use of black-and-white photography and camera techniques help to create a feeling of suspense and unease. The dialogue is also well-written and helps to convey the mood and tone of the film. Overall, High Noon is a great example of a well-made Western.
Conclusion
The conclusion of High Noon is both surprising and satisfying. Marshal Kane’s sense of duty and honor is put to the test when he must face a gang of killers alone. The fact that he is successful in defeating them is a testament to his character. High Noon is a great movie because it is thought-provoking and challenging. It makes us question our assumptions about right and wrong, and it forces us to consider the implications of our actions.
Works Cited
Fisher, Austin. “Revisiting the Blacklist Western: A Reception Study of High Noon.” JCMS: Journal of Cinema and Media Studies, vol. 61, no. 5, 2021, pp. 137–58, https://doi.org/10.1353/cj.2021.0087.
Nolletti, Arthur. “The Films of Fred Zinnemann: Critical Perspectives.” Google Books, SUNY Press, 1999, books.google.co.ke/books?id=XyZSSDISXikC&pg=PA93&dq=the+1952+movie+High+Noon&hl=sw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwimj5mDlLX7AhXuTaQEHaOrAc8Q6AF6BAgLEAI#v=onepage&q=the%201952%20movie%20High%20Noon&f=false.