Snapshots From a Dream

What is this thing that builds our dreams yet slips away from us ....

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Great Moments From Cinema - 39


As The Clock Strikes 12

Movie: High Noon (Stanley Kramer Productions; 1952)
Director: Fred Zinnemann
Screenplay: John Cunningham (story) and Carl Foreman.
Major Cast: Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly

Film Synopsis: In a small town of late 19th century, Cooper plays a marshall who is getting married to Kelly and about to quit his job and leave town. Then he gets news that a man whom he had put in prison and who has sworn to kill him, is arriving by the noon train. Now Cooper has to decide whether to stay for a showdown or leave with his bride.

My Favorite Moment: The swinging of the pendulum as the clock ticks towards noon.

Why I Like It: If “The Western” is an American treasure, then this is its crown jewel. It is a terrific film and an edge of your seat thriller. A mandatory viewing for all cinema students, the suspense of the film is in the anticipation of the approaching hour. Almost in real time, the 90 minutes which Cooper spends waiting for the outlaw ‘Frank Miller’ to arrive is the best time one can spend at movies. It is a character study of a man ‘Will Kane’ (Cooper) who knows that by dong what is morally right, he may lose his lovely bride, or even his life. But character is what the film is all about. ‘Heroes’ in movies fight against tyranny, generally to help or protect someone who is oppressed or wrongfully accused. ‘Will Kane’ is one of the greatest screen heroes, not because of this stereotype. On the contrary, he is fighting for himself, his own conscience.

Cooper had send ‘Miller’ to state prison years ago and had been warned of the repercussions. He is the town Marshall who is getting married to Kelly and leaving to start a new life. When he hears that ‘Miller’ has been released and is arriving by the noon train, everyone advises him to take his bride and leave as soon as possible. He does so, but after some time his conscience doesn’t allow him to turn his back and run. He knows that he cannot spend the rest of his life knowing that ‘Miller’ and his gang are wrecking havoc. Against his wife’s wishes, he comes back to town and has an hour to prepare for the encounter. He goes around town looking for people who can stand by him and fight, but nobody agrees. They see it as suicide and even preach from the commandments which forbid men from killing each other. As the hour approaches, ‘Will’ is all alone and even his beloved wife decides to leave him because she cannot understand why a man has to go to a certain death when he should be with a woman who loves him. All through the film, camera focuses on ‘Will’s’ growing frustration due to his abandonment and as he keeps looking at the clock ticking away toward noon.

The soul of this film is that unforgettable song “Do Not Forsake Me Oh’ My Darling”. This movie would not exist without this song and it is unimaginable to listen to this tune and not think of the movie. It plays in the background throughout the film and is a reminder of ‘Will’s’ predicament as a person who is torn between love and his duty as a lawman. In the end, he kills the outlaw, Kelly returns back to him and as ‘Will’ prepares to leave town, everyone comes to congratulate him. However ‘Will’ just looks at them in disdain and flings the marshall’s badge at their feet. But who can ever forget the shadows growing shorter, the ticking of the clock and that song in the background. As long as there are movies, they will be talking about this one.

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