Saw High Noon again after almost 15 years. Boy, what a film.

The story is simple. On the day of his marriage and his retirement from being Marshall of a dusty old town – Will Kane (Gary Cooper) realises that 4 men that he sent to jail (to be hanged) are free, and want his head on a platter.

He and his Quaker wife Amy (Grace Kelly) are on they way out to a nice settled life – when he decides to turn back to confront the bad guys. He goes into the town for help but realises that he is all alone. Everyone who knows him tells him that he should run awy. But he stays on to do “what a man is supposed to do”.

The film is almost real time. The movie begins at 10.35 in the morning – with the marriage of Will and Amy. It ends a few minutes past noon (High Noon) – with the final gun battle. (producers of 24 please note – no gimmickery here – just old fashioned story telling)

The most interesting thing about the film happened off screen. This was a time when any one remotely left leaning was persecuted & prosecuted. For this was the height of the y the McCarthy era. The writer of this film, Carl Foreman, went into exile rather than betray his freinds to the McCarthy commission – the infamous HUAC.

Another interesting titbit about this movie – is that successive US presidents have rated it as their favourite film. Drawing inspiration from it – when they go out to do “what a man has gotta do”. Maybe Carl Foremen and his like see the irony in it