High Noon (Two-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition)

by Lionsgate

$19.98
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Average Rating: * * * * half star
Sales Rank:8711 (lower is better)
Price Used:$13.08
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Availability:Usually ships in 24 hours
Release Date:2008-06-10
Label:Lionsgate
UPC:017153240856
Binding:DVD
Published By:Lionsgate
ASIN:B0016MLIKM
Category:DVD

Actors and Actresses

Editorial Reviews and Product Descriptions

Description

Gary Cooper won the Oscar(R) for the Best Actor in this classic tale of a lawman who stands alone to defend a town of cowardly citizens against a gang of revenge-seeking criminals. In the greatest showdown in the history of cinema, Cooper stands to lose not only the town but his new wife, Grace Kelly. The film also stars one of Hollywood's most beloved and prolific actors, Lloyd Bridges, and marks the first starring role for a beautiful young actress and internationally adored screen legend - Grace Kelly. HIGH NOON garnered a total of four Academy Awards(R) including Best Editing, Score and Original Song.
Amazon.com essential video

One of the greatest Westerns ever made gets the deluxe treatment on this superior disc from Republic Home Video's Silver Screen Classics line of special-edition DVDs. Written by Carl Foreman (who was later blacklisted during the anticommunist hearings of the '50s) and superbly directed by Fred Zinnemann, this 1952 classic stars Gary Cooper as just-married lawman Will Kane, who is about to retire as a small-town sheriff and begin a new life with his bride (Grace Kelly) when he learns that gunslinger Frank Miller (Ian MacDonald) is due to arrive at high noon to settle an old score. Kane seeks assistance from deputies and townsfolk, but soon realizes he'll have to stand alone in his showdown with Miller and his henchmen. Innovative for its time, the suspenseful story unfolds in approximate real time (from 10:40 a.m. to high noon in an 84-minute film), and many interpreted Foreman's drama as an allegorical reflection of apathy and passive acceptance of Senator Joseph McCarthy's anticommunist campaign. Political underpinnings aside, this remains a milestone of its genre (often referred to as the first "adult" Western), and Cooper is flawless in his Oscar-winning role. The first-rate DVD gives this landmark film all the respect it deserves, beginning with a digitally remastered transfer from the original film negative. Additional features include the exclusive documentary The Making of High Noon, hosted by film historian Leonard Maltin and featuring interviews with the late Lloyd Bridges (who played Cooper's rival ex-deputy), director Fred Zinnemann, and producer Stanley Kramer. Also included is the original theatrical trailer and a special chapter stop highlighting the Oscar-winning song "Do Not Forsake Me." Offered in English and dubbed French and Spanish, with English closed-captioning or Spanish and French subtitles. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

Very Satisfied - Reviewed on 2008-10-16
* * * * *

I was very pleased with my order from this seller. I received it promptly and in better condition then was described. I will buy again from this seller.
The quintessential western with deeper meaning - Reviewed on 2008-10-13
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This is the quintessential western with a subtle but unmistakable reference to the bullying techniques of McCarthyism. One man stands alone in the face of intimidation because those who should be his friends fear to share in his fate. This is the common-man, Gary Cooper, at his best and most noble. A must have for any video collection.
The Gunman is Coming - Reviewed on 2008-09-29
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First of all, I have seen High Noon but not this particular DVD so I can't comment on the special features.

The film itself is a pretty interesting concept for a western. Gary Cooper plays a local sheriff who learns he will soon be facing a quartet of armed outlaws when the final one arrives on the noon locomotive. Grace Kelly plays his wife who happens to be a pacifist. Other performers include Katy Jurado and Lon Chaney Jr. As time ticks down, Cooper attepmts to get others in the town to join him but ultimately no one is willing. The film plays out essentially in real time on a single day and there are no gunfights until the final shootout. Overall though, the suspense and acting actually build up to the final scenes. Overall, a pretty good western.
" STAR IN THE DUST" - Reviewed on 2008-09-11
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Absolutely the best western ever made. One of the best romances ever made as the somewhat older sheriff and his dainty, cool and, particular younger bride start out their marriage looking down the gunbarrels of oullaws coming to "settle the score with Sheriff Will Kane." The tension builds as the sheriff nervously watches the clock. He does not really want to die this early into his new marriage--the honeymoon has not even quite begun. His frustration boils over as he cannot get even one man to stand up with him against these murderers. Then. . .when he has used up all his ammo and luck, the little woman steps in to. . .
to prove she has more moxie than anyone could have possibly thought. A perfect movie, the sweet and tender romance, the protective older man and helpless young bride sweep up the streets for all the ingrates who would not help. Now, what will they do for a sheriff?
An 'Ultimate' Edition that Lives Up to It's Name! - Reviewed on 2008-08-25
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1 customer found this review helpful, 1 did not.

When a film has been available on DVD in a number of editions for a number of years, as "High Noon" has, a new edition had better be pretty impressive to justify shelling out more money.

"High Noon (Two-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition)" is more than pretty impressive...it is superb!

First off, the print is about as close to perfect as you'll ever find, with picture and sound vastly improved over previous releases. Next, the Special Features are engrossing, with a new documentary about the making of the legendary Western, including appreciations by a number of actors and fans (including ex-President Bill Clinton), and a long-overdue look at the remarkable Oscar-winning Dimitri Tiomkin score and song, "Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin'", and it's iconic performer, Tex Ritter, plus a 'live' Ritter performance (on radio), and much more. Finally, the packaging is beautiful, so nice that you may be tempted to keep it on the coffee table rather than on the shelf!

That the film was ever made is the stuff of legend...A producer better known for contemporary 'message' films (Stanley Kramer), a European director who had never made a Western (Fred Zinnemann), a screenwriter about to be blacklisted for refusing to buckle under the paranoia of the times (Carl Foreman), and an ailing, aging superstar who was considered 'washed up' after a string of flops (Gary Cooper), combined their talents for a film that flew against all the 'rules' for a successful Western...filmed in black and while, in near-documentary style, with no sweeping vistas, and at nearly 'real' time...and stirred immediate controversy with it's less-than-flattering portrayal of a town's cowardice, incurring the anger of no less than John Ford, Howard Hawks, and John Wayne. Yet the film received 7 Oscar nominations, and 4 wins, including a 'Best Actor' Oscar for Cooper (which, surprisingly, was accepted by Wayne, as Cooper was unavailable). "High Noon" is on the short list of not only the 'Greatest Westerns', but 'Greatest Films' ever made, and is a film that deserves a spot in every DVD collection...it's that good!

So chuck your old copy, and buy this one...you'll be glad you did!

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