The Quiet Man

One of those films that was very successful but is currently struggling to capture new audiences.

We are used to seeing John Wayne associated with Western films, yet here is the actor making a small and modest romantic film about a retired boxer with great physical presence who, after returning to the land where he was born, falls in love with a redhead with a strong personality, leading to serious disagreements with her brother, who is not happy with their dating.

It is one of those films that was a commercial and critical success in the time it was released and even collected awards, such as the Oscars for Best Cinematography in Color and Best Director. It's a remarkable achievement, and it's strange that better and more memorab...

I think what I enjoyed most about this gentle romantic drama is that John Ford allowed much more screen time to an ensemble of cast members who had all been instrumental in helping to establish John Wayne as the star he was. He's the former boxer "Thornton", returned to rural Ireland to a mixed welcome from those in his hometown as he plans to set up home on land once owned by his family. He manages to outbid local grandee "Danaher" (Victor McLaglen) with the widow "Sarah" (Mildred Natwick) and on settling in discovers the sheltering "Mary Kate" (Maureen O'Hara) who just happens to be the sister of his new-found nemesis. His presence is starting to polarise the villagers, but with the mischievous assistance of "Flynn" (Barry Fitzgerald) and...