Wednesday, March 17, 2010

The Quiet Man (1952).



The Quiet Man(1952). Romantic/drama. Director: John Ford. Cast: John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Victor McLaglen and Barry Fitzgerald. It was based on a 1933 Saturday Evening Post short story by Maurice Walsh. The film is known for its beautiful photography of the Irish countryside and the semi-comic fist fight between Wayne and McLaglen.

Sean Thornton, an Irish-American, returns to his Ireland family's farm in Inisfree. He meets and falls in love with Mary Kate Danaher, the spinster sister of Will Danaher. Danaher, angry that Sean outbid him for the Thornton land, refuses to give permission for his sister marriage to Sean. Until the priest tricks him into believing that the wealthy Widow Tillane also wants to marry him. After learning the truth on Sean and Mary Kate's wedding day, Will refuses to give his sister her full dowry. Sean, knowing nothing in Irish customs, does not care about the dowry. Mary Kate wants her dowry because it represents her pride. Shamed by Sean's refusal to confront her brother she calls him a coward. They become estranged as husband and wife. Soon, Mary Kate boards a train leaving Castletown and headed for Dublin. Sean arrives to the train station and drags her off the train, followed by the townspeople. He forces her to walk the five miles to Will Danaher's farm. Will Sean demand that Will hand over her dowry and regain Mary Kate's love and respect?

For me The Quiet Man, is one of my favorite John Ford films. Amazing scenery and beautiful music by Victor Young make this movie classic as wonderful as it is.. The romance between Wayne and Maureen O'Hara is magical and very believable.
The Quiet Man Movie Trailer.

FUN FACTS:

John Ford first read the story in 1933 and bought the film rights for $10. It took him another 12 years to find financing, and another 10 years to get the film made.

This is one of the few Hollywood films in which you can hear Gaelic, the national language of Ireland.

The last line of the wedding toast was censored by Republic Pictures. It should have said, "May their days be long and full of happiness. May their children be many and full of health. And may they live in peace and national freedom". After the film was completed, Republic Pictures decided "national freedom" in Ireland was too controversial a concept.

Green, the national color of Ireland, can be seen in every shot in this film, but not on any of the actors' costumes except for Maureen O'Hara green floral dress in the cemetery scene.

Second of five movies that paired John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.

2 comments:

  1. I love this movie Dawn. A great choice on this day. I'm surprised it's not showing today somewhere.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Monty, i'm also surprised that TCM did not have it on today.

    ReplyDelete

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