High Noon

Years ago I attended a forum honoring two time Oscar winner Elmo Williams, the editor of High Noon. Mr. Williams talked about several films at the forum, and I remember him mentioning that he had cut so much of High Noon that the director started to get a bit concerned. Mr. Williams said he had doubts too but felt like he had to sync things up with the clocks. He also said that as was often the case he and a small crew filmed a couple shots that ended up in the final cut.

25: Amy (Grace Kelly) enters a hotel and asks the clerk if she can wait in the lobby until the noon train arrives. The clerk replies that he's surprised she's leaving without Will, her husband and that he's looking forward to the gunfight between Miller and Will. In the church, there is singing and two men gather to talk. A clock is seen: Miller will arrive within the hour. In the sheriff's office, Will checks his watch. Herb enters and says "You can count on me," and says he'll be back loaded for bear. Will has his first volunteer to fight Miller and his three associates. The birth of something new.

-45: Will knocks on a home and asks for Sam. We know Sam's wife lies when she says Sam is in church. Will exits. Sam to his wife: "What do you want? Do you want me to be killed, is that what you want?" An unstable drinker looks desperate as he asks Will if he can help. Will says he'll call him if he needs him. Discovery.

45: Thomas Mitchell and adults in the church discuss what to do about Miller and the three gunmen. The kids leave the church. We look at the empty train tracks. We look at the three gunmen waiting. One asks the train clerk if the train is on time. The clerk replies it is. The people in the church deliver different povs so we're aware of the issues: let the politicians handle it, we're not officers - it's not our job, if we don't settle this now it's going to get worse later. Will checks his watch. Thomas Mitchell advises Will to leave town. Now that I'm aware.

60 and -25: Deputy Marshall Pell follows Will into Todd's Livery Stable. Pell fails to convince Will to saddle a horse and leave town. They fight and Will wins. Eventually, Will confronts Miller and his associates and defeats them. He leaves town with Amy. There's no going back now and The final turning point.