This is one of those classic films that everyone should see, even if you don't like Westerns. Marshal Will Kane (Gary Cooper) is newly married to a beautiful Quaker woman (Grace Kelly) and ready to turn in his badge and settle down to a quiet life as a shopkeeper when he receives word that Frank Miller (Ian MacDonald), a murderer Kane sent to prison five years ago, has been pardoned and is coming back to town on the noon train. Kane has just over an hour to pull together a posse of men to stand up to Miller and his gang, but no one in town is willing to help him.
This is set in the Old West but it is barely a Western. Kane goes through a host of emotions and they are written in bold across Gary Cooper's face. You really see the frustration, the anger, the bewilderment, as he tries to get someone, anyone to stand with him. The supporting cast is just as good, with turns from Lloyd Bridges, Lon Chaney, Jr., and Katy Jurado. It also has a very young Lee Van Cleef, giving excellent villain face, even though I don't think he says a word on camera.
I am really shocked this didn't win Best Picture but I'm pretty sure it's been vindicated by history. It's currently streaming through Amazon Prime and I really encourage everyone to check it out.
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