John Ford and John Wayne: a guaranteed good watch. Throw in Maureen O'Hara (Mary Kate Danaher), and this time you end up with my favorite John Wayne film. That may partially be because this film is not the John Wayne of Westerns or wars. His role in The Quiet Man is like no other role he ever played, and he shines. He did make other comedies (such as the 1963 quasi remake of this film, McLintock), but here he is legend. The story sets up with Sean Thornton coming home to his family's native land holding in Ireland after accidentally killing a man in a boxing match in America. His psyche is clearly bruised as a result, and he has a beautiful homestead to help him recover. Enter O'Hara, and the film morphs into a loose remake of The Taming of the Shrew. Touching and sentimental throughout, the film captures the viewer's attention and never lets go. That's even though we are sure of the eventual outcome. Witty at times, hilarious at others, Sean and Mary Kate capture our hearts along with some of the local characters played to perfection by a superlative cast, including Ward Bond as Father Lonergan, Victor McLaglan as Mary Kate's brother "Red" Danaher, and Barry Fitzgerald as Michaleen Flynn. There is some stunning on location filming, but the studio sets are not at all off-putting, because Wayne and O'Hara are the focus no matter where they might be courting or rebelling. I have seen this film more than a dozen times, and when I do decide to watch it, I clear out two hours for uninterrupted pleasure. The writing and dialogue are precise and imaginative, and Ford's direction is at his peak. He was the master of cinema story-telling and oh what a story this one is. The whole experience has never once seemed trite or stale. Just good old fashion entertainment. No one should go through life without seeing this film at least twice.

Having left Ireland as a young child "Sean Thornton" (John Wayne) has returned from Pittsburgh as a young man with a yearning to settle down. Upon the road to his old home town he sees a beautiful red-haired maiden named "Mary Kate Danaher"(Maureen O'Hara) and immediately takes a liking to her. Yet, even though the feeling is mutual, her older brother "Will Danaher" (Victor McLaglen) has developed an immediate disliking to him because Sean bought the land he wanted for himself--and Will Danaher is known far and wide for his fighting skills. But what nobody knows is that Sean used to be a professional boxer in America and can certainly take care of himself. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this movie has action, comedy and some nice acting thrown in for good measure as well. The bottom line is that if you're interested in a good, clean movie then this is certainly one you might want to check out. Definitely above average.

A friend recommended this movie to me this week. I find the movie sort of snuck up on me... 50 minutes in I wasn't that into it, I found it cute but a bit meandering... but it was immersing me into a way of life and seeing the world... until I began to really understand these characters intimately and care about them, for good and bad, warts and all... So many great moments, I love when the man says "saddle his horse he says!" and starts humming the music to come in the very next scene... I saw another movie do that not long ago, but can't remember what it is, no matter, then Maureen jumps a little obstacle course on the way back home ;) Or during the fight at the end when the bucket just keeps getting bigger and bigger throughout the course of the fight until they look like they're fighting in a flood. Maureen O'hara truly is the best thing about this movie, her power as an actress was undeniable. John Wayne is more looks than great acting ability. What an extraordinarily brilliant film.

The Quiet Man (1952): Dir: John Ford / Cast: John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Victor McLaglen, Barry Fitzgerald, Ward Bond: John Wayne is presented as someone with a past where a boxing match concluded with a death. As a result he pulls away from violence and this poises an issue when he returns to Ireland to reclaim his family's farm. Maureen O'Hara plays a local woman whom Wayne falls for but her brother is an overbearing bully who is angry at him after being out bid in the land auction. He becomes a divider in the relationship to come. John Ford and John Wayne have collaborated through numerous films, including Stagecoach, but here Wayne has a seemingly different role as someone who regrets a violent past yet is unfairly taking hits from O'Hara and her brother. She marries Wayne but becomes obsessed with the money that is owed her by her brother. She constantly berates him until he finally takes charge in what becomes a very long haul. Great supporting roles particularly by Victor McLaglen as the brother who ends up being dealt with through a fist fight that derails the film from greatness. This fight turns the drama into a corny showcase that doesn't fit the mode of the first two acts. Ward Bond plays a Catholic Priest who also gets involved in the scheme at hand. In any event Ford delivers a message loud and clear of pride and standing up for oneself. Score: 8 / 10