THE QUIET MAN: TIMELESS CLASSIC

One of my all-time favorite movies is THE QUIET MAN. If I happen to see it on TV my fingers release the remote and I’m captured by the story all over again. It is perhaps one of John Wayne’s best films as well as perhaps the best film by director John Ford. And it’s not even a western!

If you’ve never seen the film it’s the story of Sean Thornton (Wayne) who returns to the small village in Ireland where he grew up as a child to purchase the home he grew up in. Met by Michaleen Oge Flynn (Barry Fitzgerald) he isn’t recognized but they soon become friends. Michaleen is basically the cab driver in town with his horse and carriage as well as a matchmaker of sorts.

That comes into play when Sean catches a glimpse of Mary Kate Danaher (Maureen O’Hara). Call it love at first sight the two are attracted by social customs of the time being what they are aren’t allowed to meet. A bigger problem arises after Sean purchases his home to the dismay of Squire “Red” Will Danaher (Victor McLaglen), Mary Kate’s brother who wanted the property for himself.

When the town conspires to unite the young couple by tricking Will his anger takes over and he attempts to block their getting together. They do and eventually marry but Will refuses to pay Sean Mary Kate’s dowry. While Sean could care less Mary Kate refuses to sleep with him until he takes care of the matter.

What the townsfolk don’t know, with one exception, is that Sean has refused to fight for a reason. When that final straw breaks the camel’s back and he’s had enough he changes his tune. All of this leads to a final showdown between the two men and one of the longest fight sequences ever put on film.

The movie is a delight to watch over and over again. The performances are amazing to watch with all involved, from the smallest to largest roles, creating believable characters that you get mad at, laugh at and love by the end of the film. There are no truly small roles here.

Ford creates not just a story but a setting that was familiar to him and the way he forms the combination of location and tale being told make it a location you’d love to visit. He brings his old Irish home to life for all to see and enjoy. The film is glorious to look at with some breathtaking scenery shot on location.

With the numerous versions of this film released over the years why talk about it now and why discuss buying this latest edition? That’s because Olive Films has come up with one of the best presentations of the film to date. As a part of their Signature Series the film has been mastered from a 4k scan of the original negative, offering the cleanest look the film has ever had.

It also includes some interesting extras as well. Those include an audio commentary with John Ford biographer Joseph McBride, a tribute to Maureen O'Hara with Ally Sheedy, Hayley Mills, and Juliet Mills,
DON’T YOU REMEMBER IT SEAN?: JOHN FORD AND THE QUIET MAN a visual essay by historian and John Ford expert Tag Gallagher, FREE REPUBLIC: THE STORY OF HERBERT J. YATES AND REPUBLIC PICTURES, THE OLD MAN: REMEMBERING JOHN FORD an appreciation of the director with Peter Bogdanovich and THE MAKING OF THE QUIET MAN written and hosted by Leonard Maltin.

This is not just a movie to pick up and watch casually but one to enjoy over and over again. You’ll find yourself cheering at the screen by the final sequence. You’ll witness a beautiful love story filled with romance and a touch of humor. And you’ll get to see one of the best movies ever made.

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