Peter Wilshire's article looks at the three important
themes, exploring the wider contexts of the American domestic (McCarthy witch
hunts) and foreign policies (the Korean War) of the early 1950s. Wilshire looks
at the innovative aspects of High Noon, shifting away from the old mythology
often associated with westerns up to that time, and toward a more realistic
depiction of the old west. He discusses the film's emphasis on the psychological
nature of the characters, and its innovative and courageous portrayal of fear,
self-interest and apathy of the townsfolk.