High Noon | An American Cinematic Masterpiece

[@CerealAtMidnight]

Order HIGH NOON through this link to support Cereal At Midnight: amzn.to/3we9fWo More Westerns Discussion: The Tin Star kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWXVi2t7pMetnpY High Plains Drifter kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2GXYpeFeJ56kJY Top 5 Westerns with Max Allan Collins kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6LGqZ-DjJaNadE Gene Autry, Western Icon kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZaph2t9a85jncU B-Western Heroes kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6Kcfpquf7tqeac Western Spotlight Vol. 1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWbVdWWKbbugn6s Western Spotlight Vol. 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqapc2xrnsmrhJo The Ranown Westerns kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2fFk2OZrZKMe5o Sergio Leone's Man With No Name Trilogy kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnTEpoafi9KsmdU Django kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJrSqHVjbreEbqM Randolph Scott Westerns kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZKQZ5J8gMp5m7s

[@scaps2200]

Black & White films look so incredible in 4K but especially in HDR.

[@jbwuzhere6819]

I'm old enough to remember when High Noon aired on cable tv routinely. Mind you this wasn't TCM but the free network channels. I was enthralled with it then and still love it now. Gary Cooper man...Gary Cooper. This and Pride Of the Yankees are monumental efforts in cinema.

[@Mowglibaloo2]

Sgt York too

[@thomaswolf723]

John Wayne spoke on behalf of Gary Cooper at the Academy Awards Ceremony in which High Noon received the Oscar for best film.

[@devonbrooks246]

You said it all. Old black and white films looks fantastic in 4K.

[@jamesong9408]

I'm really enjoying and learning a lot from your recent dedicated deep-dives into specific title releases. Great job.

[@davidcote5637]

This may be your best review ever, Heath. At least, it is my favorite of yours. You touched on many of the complex issues behind this film and I'm sure we could talk for hours about them. What a great depiction of the struggle of conscience between duty and desire it is. High Noon has been one of my favorites for a long time. I bought the Criterion laser disc back in 1990 which includes an audio track by professor of film at UCLA, Howard Suber, and subsequently bought the DVD and Oliver Bluray when they were released. I'm so excited this is coming out in 4k and with all the extras, too! Thank you, Heath!

[@CerealAtMidnight]

Very kind words, thank you.

[@slyfly187]

I rarely comment. I think this is a great template for your channel. I never seen this movie. I want to see this movie. So, you highlighted the movie before the disc. Then you talked about the 4k disc. This format for a video works for me… all the other channels talk about the PQ which I enjoy but this sets the bar, it gives your commentary on the movie itself, a side note on the disc - then an additional final thought. Well done. I’m going to buy this disc blind now thank you so much.

[@Mowglibaloo2]

Especially liked Heath discussing this coming out after world war 2 and during McCarthyism. Also liked how this piece of art is real and not some substandard Hollywood confection. We crave real movies based on real dilemmas and suspense. Bought the 4k because of you despite the high cost in Canada.

[@m.dorado6966]

This is a beautiful presentation of what it means to own a copy of an original film print. Thank you for bringing out to us.

[@rafficrashid867]

I love your movie reviews. And I love your genuine enthusiasm and love for the classics. It's very infectious and refreshing. Keep doing em Heath. You're like a one stop film school. There are lot of channels reviewing blu rays and movies on KZbin but yours have so much more to offer than the rest. Thank you.❤

[@davidcantrell6536]

Heath, your wonderful reviews are draining my wallet! I purchased "The Cat and the Canary," then "The Tin Star," and now this one. But it's thoroughly worth it. Please, keep it up. I'm so glad you mentioned author Glenn Frankel! I had the pleasure of meeting him and he's a great guy. He signed the High Noon book for me and also The Searchers. Excellent books as you know. Anyway, bring on your next great review. I still have some money left.

[@VanessaButtino]

I’m so glad you made this video, Heath. High Noon was one of the very first westerns I ever saw and I watched it primarily because I was such a huge Gary Cooper fan at the time (I still am). I wanted to watch any film I could get my hands on starring him in it, and High Noon was next on my list. This film could have been shot in colour but I’m SO GLAD it wasn’t because b&w photography lends SO MUCH to this particular story - suspense, grittiness, nostalgia, atmosphere, etc.

[@AnthonyBehindTheScenes]

I have the film on VHS from Republic Pictures Home Video, the 40th anniversary. It was digitally remastered from the original film negative and it has the making of High Noon that you spoke about. It's also considered one of the best edited movies of its time. Thank you for the review, I'm going to upgrade my copy for sure.

[@charlesheck6812]

Solid presentation. I was moved. Good communicator. Just rewatched this movie last night.

[@masis516]

A 15-minute in-depth review like this one is how you "sell the movie." I will definitely pick up this release, but more importantly, I want to see this film as soon as possible. Great job and keep up these reviews of movies you love!

[@randylevy]

As this was a day-one-preorder for me I didn't think I could be more excited about this release. But I was wrong so thanks for that. 😃 I really appreciated the added layers you unearthed by framing the film in the historical context. But I totally agree that this movie is about the individual and the choices that he (and we all) face -- although there is obviously rich ground for discussing the film as allegory.

[@JohnnylMr]

Excellent review!

[@Vicshade]

I recently discovered this channel and am loving it. High Noon is on sale for 20 bucks right now so I had to get it.

[@randylevy]

Got my 4k and re-watched -- wow, what a great presentation. Alan K. Rode's commentary was great and the Leonard Maltin featurette was really nice. Gary Cooper's Oscar winning performance was of course memorable but what really surprised me coming back to this for the first time in quite a few years is just how important Katy Jurado's character is to fleshing out the characters and the story.

[@robbush6822]

I can understand Duke's and Howard Hawks's views on it, but it is just so fricking great.

[@MyBennyO]

Great analysis Heath! Interesting that Lee Van Cleef was supposedly cast as Harvey Pell, but the studio wanted him to do surgery on his nose. Van Cleef refused and they gave him the "silent" roll of Jack Colby. I'll be picking this one up as well for sure so I can rest my 20 plus year old DVD!

[@MediaPlayJay]

Great video Heath! I enjoyed your analysis of High Noon. I’ve always liked this film; such a great cast. I preordered my copy. I can’t wait to watch the new high definition presentation. I’ll have to check that book out as well sounds like a good read.

[@kennethwilson7839]

I seriously appreciate this review.Thank you so much.This is one of your best and so had to comment on it.

[@wes788411]

I just got my copy of High Noon today. I’ve just gotten into American Westerns with the release of Arrow’s release of The Shootist. I hope Arrow keeps releasing westerns, as The Shootist and especially The Tin Star are awesome. Looking forward to watching this.

[@kencarlson3545]

Mine shipped today. Just have a feeling Eureka will release their own edition soon. Same goes for BODY SNATCHERS ('56) via BFI.

[@LaughMuBai]

That was a really nice 'no spoiler' review of what clearly is an important film in cinema history... well done! Think I might get this one now, but still waiting for the Gary Cooper Sergeant York 4K release...

[@Garemandude]

Okay Heath, I just ordered “High Noon” and “Rio Bravo” based on your recommendations (I’m sure I saw them both many misty years ago, but barely recall), and am about to launch my newly received copy of “The Cat and the Canary.” I appreciate you and your insights 😁

[@brucehaims6545]

I completely agree. It is a truly great film not just a great western. One of Stanley Kramer's finest outings

[@brunochambre]

Great review Heath. On a side note, the Iverson Movie Ranch in Simi Valley ( within the TMZ) can still be visited like many of the movie ranches in Santa Clarita. . The Melody movie ranch where Westworld was filmed , still has a complete Western Town where you can go for tours and is also open to the General Public for a Western Festival , once a year. I was lucky enough to photo double the Sheriff for all the Western scenes in the Second Season of Westworld. The town is so complete with 2 parallel streets. You really feel you are within a Western Movie even when no crews are there filming.

[@CerealAtMidnight]

A bucket list destination for me! Hopefully I'll be able to get to Iverson soon.

[@txag007]

I love this movie! Pre-ordered through your link!

[@jasonprice4219]

Absolutely fantastic video from my favorite channel

[@Malvito]

OK, yeah, I will jump on this one like a puma on prey. TOMBSTONE got me interested in Westerns; HIGH NOON cemented that.

[@JJSA1985]

Heath…I LOVE the new direction you’re taking your channel. Your recent western focused videos have been incredibly informative. On a related note, please cool it with the western videos for a bit; my to watch list is getting too long 😆 🍻

[@miserableoldgit1411]

great review sir if the town stood with this movie would have been long forgotten you see the fear on garrys face great movie tc steve

[@AndyTempleman-ot6lu]

Heath. Love your enthusiasm for this movie and a great review of it. Saw it many years ago. Can't imagine John Wayne as the lead.

[@stewartschuster]

Pre ordered this when they announced it. The last time I saw it was on DVD, so I'm definitely looking forward to the upgrade.

[@shawntaylor7442]

Watched a little bit of it and had to stop for some reason. Recently bought the VHS at Goodwill. I'll rewatch the whole movie and maybe buy the 4k 🤙

[@popey129]

Fantastic review

[@TheAlexZorba]

Talk about it Heath! In my top 5 all time westerns. I have the olive blu ray but I am excited to get my 4k copy and pop it in after watching this. I have an Italian re release poster from the 60s that actually features Lee Van Cleef who had a small part but Italy Westerns and Van Cleef were big in them 60s

[@CerealAtMidnight]

I've seen that poster! It's fun, and very exploitative.

[@SnakeNel]

Gary Cooper was 5 years older than Lon Chaney Jr.! "It's not the years, it's the mileage." HIGH NOON was the favorite film of Dwight D. Eisenhower and Bill Clinton. HIGH NOON has been screened at the White House more than any other film over the years. I love HIGH NOON, but I prefer RIO BRAVO.

[@jessediaz1293]

But they put make up on Lon Chaney to make him look older and more advanced in age.

[@GM-nz1te]

Thank you Heath, that's another great video. Please do more like this. It is interesting because I recently watched Rio Bravo and although I found the film good, I did not find Wayne's performance that great or interesting. I found Dean Martin's performance and character way more convincing and entertaining. It felt as if Wayne didn't have anything to prove and so he delivered the bare minimum.

[@MosesWine]

So much to unpack here! I guess I'll limit myself to saying the following: a lone hero taking on a gang of cutthroats single-handedly? Sounds very much like american mythology to me Mr. Wayne. I've always felt a little removed from this one. I know it's a classic and a very important film but it's never been a favorite of mine. I prefer Gary Cooper in Vera Cruz to this one. That said, Heath your enthusiasm has made me excited to revisit this one yet again, and I didn't think that was possible. Kudos!

[@CerealAtMidnight]

I prefer Vera Cruz to this movie as well (as evidenced by my Top 5 Westerns list with Max Allan Collins!) but I do believe High Noon is one of the most important westerns of the entire genre. I like that you refer to it as American Mythology, because that's exactly what it is--but a newer, more mature mythology that wasn't about taming a wild frontier, but rather facing darkness head on.

[@PCat2385]

Great video. I am a fan of both High Noon and Rio Bravo but I put High Noon on my an all time elite films. And as much as I love Wayne and have more of his movies on my favorites list than Cooper I don’t think Wayne could have come close to Coopers performance.

[@Flapperdame16]

Hi Heath! I just saw this in a theater last fall (2023, ten years after I first saw the movie in 2013). It was such an experience!!!! I never understood why the film is considered "unamerican" Sure it was written by a guy on the blacklist, but I think it got kind of extreme. But for what it's worth, I also like Rio Bravo! Weird fact- The Duke accepted coop's Oscar for High Noon, as he was unable to attend the ceremony.

[@CerealAtMidnight]

I'm so jealous you saw this in a theater! How amazing. I like both this film and Rio Bravo too, though Rio Bravo is too long in the tooth for me. I like it, but I think it needed to be a little shorter. Great note about The Duke accepting the Oscar for Cooper!

[@daveac]

On the interesting point about that 'they make a film print from the 4K restoration' That's great - but I suspect that that print will be even better than the 4K disc itself - as to fit the movie on a one or two layer 4K disc some compression must have been used - maybe not much for 85 minute film, but certainly some. Hopefully for 'archive' purposes that 'new' film that is struck is produced using the uncompressed 'digital 4k master file from the restoration. Again - thanks for the in-depth review.

[@daveac]

Excellent overview - love the movie :-)

[@miserableoldgit1411]

great movie allso once upon a time in the west gets 4k in may bring em on tc steve

[@PrivateEye10]

Alright... I'll bite... I have been looking for westerns in my collection...

[@kencarlson3545]

Great review! Did your copy come with loose disc?

[@CerealAtMidnight]

I honestly don't remember. Loose discs happen fairly often for me.

[@enriquecabada8841]

i still have the olive film's bluray but this is a day one pick up

[@DeadpanCam-lu9ep]

Reminds me of that movie called Big trouble in little Ottawa

[@stevealharris6669]

I wonder if this disc will ever be released in the rest of the world - kino lorber needs to take a page out of Arrows and Power House (indicator) book and spread their releases wider.

[@CerealAtMidnight]

Kino is only licensed for the United States. Many of Arrow's licenses are also only for one region, and same with Indicator.

[@billg3356]

Good video, man. I haven't seen High Noon since my film class back in high school. It might be time to revisit. You should do a video with James Hancock. You guys have a similar vibe in that your love of film comes across in a palpable way. You should check out his channel: Geekin with James Hancock.

[@silverstaff7073]

Can you do a video collaboration with other youtubers on the pros and cons of different media organisation systems (alphabetical, chronological, spine color, genre, director, writer, lead actor, production company, distribution company, ect.)?

[@CerealAtMidnight]

That's not something I'm interested in, so I'll leave it to others. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@toastonmitchell2636]

Do you ever get anything from vinegar syndrome? I learned about them recently, wondered what you thought

[@CerealAtMidnight]

I have some Vinegar Syndrome titles in my collection, but generally, that's not my lane. I'm a classic Hollywood guy, and they specialize in sleaze, adult, and horror titles.

[@toastonmitchell2636]

@@CerealAtMidnight that's why I asked because I just ordered Five Card Stud from them, but that's really the only one I saw that's not as you described Edit: just pre-ordered High Noon. Thanks for the heads up 💗

[@CerealAtMidnight]

Five Card Stud is a fun movie that seems like an odd release for Vinegar Syndrome. They also put out a 1943 Edward G. Robinson movie called Flesh and Fantasy that also seemed off-model. I guess they're trying to expand into Golden Age classics, too.

[@borisfw]

I’m a fan of John Wayne and his films but I definitely disagree with his opinion of this film. High Noon is a complex and highly entertaining film with many excellent performances. Cooper is great and the use of the clock by the director is smart.

[@Kamandi1971]

wonder if Shane 1953 will get the same

[@CerealAtMidnight]

I believe it will.

[@scaps2200]

While I can respect Westerns and have watched many of them, I just don't seem to to enjoy them anymore. Happy for those who get the 4k update though!

[@georgemurrell8464]

WWII had just ended,true, however 1952 was in the middle of the Korean conflict. This might have had some impact on Wayne's opinion.

[@CerealAtMidnight]

Yes, the situation in Korea was a major element.

[@alg11297]

So a man is sent to prison, has his sentence commuted and then decides to round up his hoodlum buddies, travel back to the town, and gun down the Marshall who sent his to prison? I know most western films have a revenge plot in there some place but this is a great leap. The hoodlum buddies must be the least effective gunmen in the west since they can't take down an aging Marshall. Finally, (spoiler) the Marshall's Quaker wife, whom he just married that morning, end the film by shooting one of the bad guys in the back. Tell me again how classic this film is.

[@roberthealey526]

Classic film copied many times but all are pale next to the original. Westerns are the Greek mythology of America

[@CerealAtMidnight]

Perfectly said!

[@sabineb.5616]

@Robert, you are absolutely right! "High Noon" could be a Greek drama from Sophokles or Euripides. And like just like the Greek classics the movie's narrative takes place in real time! This means that after his marriage ceremony Marshal Kane has to solve his problems with Frank Miller within 80 minutes. The movie features many clocks which are ticking away inexorably and remind the audience that Will Kane's situation doesn't improve, and if no one will help him, he might've to face Frank Miller and his cronies on his own. Btw, Frank Miller is as generic as his name. He isn't a very impressive antagonist, and we never learn why everybody is so afraid of him. We also don't get a lot of background information about him, and since he arrives with the 12-o'clock train, we don't see a lot of him, and he is mostly an abstract threat. Some reviewers see this as a flaw. But I think, it doesn't really matter. Will Kane's main antagonists are the people of the town who are unwilling to help. The other antagonist is time itself! The faces of the clocks are more threatening than Frank Miller's face. Except for the final show-down there are no action scenes in the movie. But the shoot-out is done very well, and there's even an unexpected twist which works very well! It's possible get a free PDF of the short story "The Tin Star" which inspired the narrative of the movie. But the adaptation differs a lot from the source material. I was actually somewhat bored, and it's astonishing that the adaptation works so well.

[@TimW-tq2ko]

John Wayne's initial reaction to High Noon was probably because Carl Foreman was a Communist. Once he thought about it years later he realized what a masterpiece the film is. If Foreman intended his screenplay to convey a Communist message it backfired because to me the film has always been about individual courage amidst a cowardly collective.

[@richardburt1679]

It's a very well-made movie,but as a western fan I don't think it can compare to the classic Wayne-Ford,Wayne-Hawks or even Randolph Scott-Bud Boetticher films because these directors had a proven track record in the genre which Zinnemann had not.There's too much talk and not enough action here.And it runs less than 90 minutes.I'm waiting for the 4k release of Once upon time in the West next month.Now that's a western!

[@Kev_Cos]

It's not your typical western. But I don't think it should be disregarded as one of the best just because it had some differences. It's uniquely its own thing, but still inherently a western in my opinion. Can't wait for the OUATITW 4K release also!

[@robbush6822]

Spoilers? The movie is 72 years old.

[@CerealAtMidnight]

Classic movies are being discovered by new generations all the time. The least we can do is not ruin the ending for them so they get to experience it for themselves. It's not hard.

[@robbush6822]

@@CerealAtMidnight But movies are about a lot more than just their endings. The idea that knowing the ending of a movie ruins the movie is short-sighted, and that line of thinking has always bothered me. Certain movies are cultural touchstones, and are discussed, and have been discussed openly for decades. We need to discourage the idea that knowing the ending of a movie before seeing it makes it unwatchable. I'm not saying let's intentionally "spoil" every classic movie ending, but when film-lovers talk about classic films that have been around for decades, no thought or topic or part of the movie should be off the table. The only thing that spoilers really ruin are mystery novels, because the sole purpose of reading it is to find out "Whodunnit". Knowing who or what Rosebud is, or who Luke's father is does not ruin those movies, because there is so much more in them than a single line or a single shot in an incinerator.

[@CerealAtMidnight]

Movies are absolutely about a lot more than their endings, and I spent the bulk of this video talking about High Noon in a substantial way while being very aware of not taking too much away from a first time viewer. In fact, if you'll look at the other comments, that's what a lot of us are doing. All I'm asking is that we try to be respectful to the people who haven't seen it yet. I don't think that's asking too much.

[@LogarCreed]

Love this movie! must have movie. John Wayne was an arrogant narcissist that thought he was the only one that could play a good cowboy role. He was great at what he did but he wasn't the the best in my mind, he has some great movies. but when you think you're the best of the best, it goes to your head and you lose a lot from the character.

[@scaps2200]

Not true. John Wayne had a great respect for other actors but he wouldn't take roles that he didn't believe in.

[@scaps2200]

No true. John Wayne had great respect for other actors and was friends with many of them. He just wouldn't take roles he didn't believe in. For example, he believed the "hero" shouldn't do bad things like in Spaghetti westerns.

[@charleyvarrick6371]

I like this movie a good deal. I never read politics into it, though I remember as a kid there was stink when Bill Clinton said he liked it. I do wish there was a feature to not play the warbly Tex Ritter song that repeats, as it really takes me out of the movie.

[@Kev_Cos]

"Do not forsake me I'm your darling" ..I love that tune. Sticks in my head for months after watching the movie. And now I bet it will love stuck in my head again haha