High Noon

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High Noon

PG

Released Jul 24, 1952

1h 25m

Western

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Popcornmeter

95%

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91 Reviews

89%

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25,000+ Ratings

Former marshal Will Kane (Gary Cooper) is preparing to leave the small town of Hadleyville, New Mexico, with his new bride, Amy (Grace Kelly), when he learns that local criminal Frank Miller has been set free and is coming to seek revenge on the marshal who turned him in. When he starts recruiting deputies to fight Miller, Kane is discouraged to find that the people of Hadleyville turn cowardly when the time comes for a showdown, and he must face Miller and his cronies alone.

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Critics Consensus

A classic of the Western genre that broke with many of the traditions at the time, High Noon endures -- in no small part thanks to Gary Cooper's defiant, Oscar-winning performance.

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Kate Cameron

New York Daily News

Not since My Darling Clementine have we seen a more exciting gun battle on the screen than that in High Noon.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 20, 2022

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Newsweek Staff

Newsweek

Add a string of plausible characterizations and an excellent performance by Gary Cooper as a former town marshal, and High Noon moves up into the class of absorbing drama.

Sep 20, 2022

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Richard L. Coe

Washington Post

This gives us some time-tested staples: Gary Cooper, a pioneer Western town, lawlessness, gun-shootin' and a haunting theme song you've probably heard already. To these add a movie rarity -- a mature point of view.

Sep 20, 2022

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Bianca Garner

InSession Film

It’s a film with an universal and timeless story, good versus evil. It’s an straightforward film with a clearly defined hero and villain. To say that they don’t make films quite like High Noon, is an understatement.

Jul 31, 2024

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

High Noon is not only one of the best Western films of all time but changed the way people viewed the Western genre.

Rated: 5/5

May 7, 2024

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André Bazin

L'Obs (France)

Without question, this is one of the three best westerns since Stagecoach (the other two being The Westerner and My Darling Clementine). But my admiration for it is not without qualification.

Oct 4, 2022

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Oscar B

I don't understand why people like this movie. It's horrible, the story is very very bad and the pace a pain to endure.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/27/25

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alan g

A great western. Unfortunately Grace is not up to her billing.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/09/25

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P W

A retiring marshall hears about a pack of criminals coming back to town. His duty is up, however he feels responsible for the people and commits himself to stand up against the incoming danger. He tries to find people to support him, however everybody leaves him. Everything left to him is his integrity, which shines through as a moral principle, making the marshall a figure of sympathy for the viewer. He is ready to sacrifice it all to save a town, unwilling to help or assist him. A town, not deserving his help, however he realizes his moral obligation and can not face away from the incoming threat. This threat is not seen until the very end of the movie, however this lurking shadow is building up more and more tension in the conversations within the desperate town. The Marshall does his duty, but he has seen the real face of the people and leaves.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/15/24

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Dionisis T

A loveable western with a protagonist,who makes me truly understand why Tony Soprano idolises.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/14/24

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Jim H

The Best movie ever made.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/24/24

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Fer S

Amazing movie! Fast paced and with great suspense. Out dated action but not a problem.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/17/24

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Fred Zinnemann

Director

Gary Cooper

Marshal Will Kane

Grace Kelly

Amy Fowler Kane

Katy Jurado

Helen Ramirez

Thomas Mitchell

Mayor Jonas Henderson

Lloyd Bridges

Deputy Sheriff Harvey Pell

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Synopsis

Former marshal Will Kane (Gary Cooper) is preparing to leave the small town of Hadleyville, New Mexico, with his new bride, Amy (Grace Kelly), when he learns that local criminal Frank Miller has been set free and is coming to seek revenge on the marshal who turned him in. When he starts recruiting deputies to fight Miller, Kane is discouraged to find that the people of Hadleyville turn cowardly when the time comes for a showdown, and he must face Miller and his cronies alone.

Director: Fred Zinnemann
Producer: Stanley Kramer
Screenwriter: John W. Cunningham, Carl Foreman
Distributor: United Artists, Criterion Collection, Republic Pictures
Production Co: Stanley Kramer Company
Rating: PG (Some Western Violence|Smoking)
Genre: Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 24, 1952, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2011
Runtime: 1h 25m

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