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Fred Zinnemann’s now-classic moral Western was despised by Hawks and John Wayne, who decried the Austrian-born director’s vision of the West as “un-American.” In truth, Zinnemann was inspired by the distinctly “un-American” sentiments transforming Hollywood—the HUAC trials and Red Scare that had punished many politically outspoken artists and victimized countless others with a culture of fear and self-serving conservative rectitude. Viewed today, High Noon stands upright not only as a cautionary tale about how the high road is often the loneliest, but also as a remarkable exploration of subjective and expressive narrative in which the almost real-time structure allows each passing minute to be felt as lashes across the back of Gary Cooper’s sheriff as he walks in a kind of Passion through the increasingly deserted town toward the deadly showdown that awaits.
Part of film series
Screenings from this program
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
![](/public/upload/events/thumb/5cf03ee0ada8c.jpg?1566567525)
His Girl Friday
![](/public/upload/events/thumb/5cf03ee212740.jpg?1566567525)
The Big Sleep (pre-release version)
![](/public/upload/events/thumb/5d14ea8d7d9e8.jpg?1566567527)
A Girl in Every Port
![](/public/upload/events/thumb/5cf03eeb1624a.jpg?1566567525)
The Cradle Snatchers / Paid to Love
![](/public/upload/events/thumb/5cf03ef1d9a7a.jpg?1566567525)
Fazil
![](/public/upload/events/thumb/5cf03ef322a50.jpg?1566567525)
Fig Leaves
![](/public/upload/events/thumb/5cf03ef99674d.jpg?1566567525)
Man's Favorite Sport?
![](/public/upload/events/thumb_wide/5cf03efbe3f8c.jpg?1561399136)
The Crowd Roars
![](/public/upload/events/thumb/5cf03f068a663.jpg?1566567525)
Today We Live
![](/public/upload/events/thumb/5cf03f0901a2b.jpg?1566567525)