The Quiet Man

I went to study abroad for a term in Ireland during the fall of 2001. University in that former British colony doesn't begin until October, but, because starting at that time would not afford me enough credits, I chose to take part in an "early semester," which meant starting school at the same time as my friends in America--early September. I chose the early semester in Irish literature because, obviously, I was a literature major. One component of this six-week, intensive course was a film unit during which we planned on watching among other things, Carol Reed's Odd Man Out. Then the Twin Towers fell and the professor overseeing the film unit thought Odd Man Out might be a bit too distressful for us. I'm not sure why, though, as I've still yet to see that film. In any event, the prof announced a replacement--the Quiet Man. My guess is because most of the films we saw during that section were fairly heavy, dealing with the Troubles and whatnot, they instructors thought it best to tone down the violence a bit. So, here was a lighthearted romp with the powerful John and Beautiful Maureen. Perfect. Sort of. It was perfectly atrocious. I adore John Ford and could find very little to recommend about this movie. It's misogynistic, even by the standards of 1950s American cinema (hey, John, is it really acceptable for a man to drag a woman by her hair in any era? Didn't that sort of fall by the wayside after the closing of the Frontier?), and it's not terribly moving. O'Hara and Wayne have no chemistry whatsoever and the story itself is banal. The Irish countryside should offer Ford a chance to show his cinematographic chops, but he doesn't. The greens are rich (thank you technicolor), but the images are uninspiring on the whole. Having lived in Ireland for nearly half of a year, I can safely say it's a hundred times more beautiful than this movie would have you believe. Then there are the Irish stereotypes. Was it entirely necessary to trot them out again? Yes, John, I know your ancestors come from this land and that this film was a dream of yours for many a year, but you seem so completely out of touch with the surroundings. It's amazing that a man who has such a feel for unique environments could transform Ireland into something to uninteresting. (Maybe it's because, as I've just learned, some of the film was made on soundstages in Hollywood.) Ford could make great non-Westerns--The Grapes of Wrath is among the greatest socially conscious films to this day--but they were his forte. He may have loved the Quiet Man and placed it among his greatest achievements. I doubt many others would do the same.

The Quiet Man is a wonderfully layered and at times hilariously ironic portrayal of Ireland as seen by an American. For those who doubt the film's sense of irony, just re-watch the scene where Sean (John Wayne) paints the door of his cottage. The Vicar's wife remarks on its beauty and in a deadpan manner suggests "only an American would have thought of Emerald Green". Only an American (or a foreigner), is the implication, would think that the picturebook Ireland they are seeing in this film is a realistic portrayal of a lived experience of the country. An Irish person would have painted the door red, she says. It weathers better that way. The film takes ideas of Irishness and exaggerates them to brilliant and comic effect. The drinking Mickaleen, the patriarchal rule, the idyllic countryside. But beneath the Oirish exterior is a sharp intelligence and a subversion of what the film at first glance seems to suggest. Beneath the idyllic countryside are elemental forces that are waiting to be disturbed, as we see in the two scenes where Sean and Mary-kate kiss. Storm clouds fill the sky and the wind whips about them. The countryside which previously seemed so welcoming is now tempestuous and threatening. Theirs are passions which do not fit in the comic book world which we have previously seen. Yet they exist. The portrayal of women, and particularly Sean's treatment of Mary-Kate when he drags her through the field is not so oppressive as it might seem. Remember that it is her who insists on receiving her dowry, who equates her possessions to her worth. It is she who forces Sean to act the way he does and fight Will Danaher. She indoctrinates him into her society by threatening to leave him. She withholds the marital bed. Sean eventually becomes the man she wants him to be. In short this is a portrayal of Irish, or more importantly, rural life that is very much from the point of view of the outsider. Of the city folk. Yet it always acknowledges that and has great fun playing with its stereotypes. Its funny, its romantic, it appeals to the part of us that yearns to live a simple life away from the complex world, much as we know that life does not exist. Enjoy it!

source: The Quiet Man

Trailer—The Quiet Man

The Quiet Man

Granted, it mayn't be to everyone's tastes, it is quite leisurely and the picture-book view of Ireland may seem a bit rose-tinted and dated, but to me I love The Quiet Man and consider it John Wayne's best non-western movie. Wayne himself is splendid in his role, I don't think it is his best role but it is up there. In terms of acting, it isn't just Wayne who's good. Maureen O'Hara is both fiery and radiant while Barry Fitzgerald is just fantastic as the mischievous matchmaker who can't say no to a drink. The film also looks beautiful, not just the breathtaking scenery but the cosy cinematography does justice too. There's also a lovely lilting score from Victor Young, a good story, a well-above-average script and even better John Ford's wonderful direction. Overall, just wonderful, maybe not for all but it has certainly made a fan out of me. 10/10 Bethany Cox

I can't say I've ever seen a film of such beauty as The Quiet Man. It is whimsical from start to finish, literally never hitting a sour note. Presenting the Irish culture from the point of view of an Irish descendant reclaiming his heritage, this film was an obvious labor of love from director John Ford. It even pokes fun at wife-beating and the IRA with complete good taste. I can't give enough praise to this movie, but out of all the great films from the brilliant John Ford, it's definitely my favorite.

What's not to like about this picture? A classic directed by the legendary John Ford. John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara light up the screen. Wayne's performance is brilliant, but what really stands out is that he is playing a regular guy with real feelings and emotions--no army uniforms, no indians to fight, no cavalry coming to the rescue--just a great performance. The supporting cast is unmatched--including great performances by Victor McLaglen, Barry Fitzgerald and Ward Bond. Look closely for Ken Curtis (Festus, from Gunsmoke) in an uncredited role. The scenery is absolutly breathtaking--it makes me want to go home to Ireland--and I'm not even Irish. To top it off The Quiet Man has the greatest fist fight ever captured on film. This is one of my two favorite John Wayne movies. The Duke should have gotten an Oscar for this one. Movie viewers won't be disapointed by this one.

One of the best directed by John Ford. An emotional, humorous look at an American, played by John Wayne, going back to his native Ireland and trying to fit in with the present culture. Sensational scenery and the grand music by Victor Young support this classic among classics. Breezy and rowdy. Too beautiful to turn your back on. A great illustration of romance. The interaction between Wayne and Maureen O'Hara is magical and hard to beat. Other classic performances are turned in by Victor McLaglen, Ward Bond and Barry Fitzgerald.