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The Quiet Man

The Quiet Man

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: John Wayne at his best!
Review: A wonderful story about an ex American boxer named Sean (Trooper) Thornton who returns to his homeland in Ireland on the Emerald Isle in the town of Innisfree to live a quiet peaceful life amongst his own people and the land of his childhood. He came home to start a new life after his last fight which resulted in a fatal knockout of his opponent at which time he vowed never to fight again. When Sean arrives, he buys an old thatched cottage which was owned by the wealthy but charitable Widow Tillane. Sean then meets his love, the red-headed strong-willed and materialistic Mary Kate Danaher (Maureen O'Hara), who just happens to be the sister of the toughest bully in the town, Squire Red Will Danaher (Victor McLaglen)who also wanted the little cottage but was bid out by Sean Thornton which of course would put them at odds against each other right of the bat not just because he outbid him, but because Danaher was courting for the Widow Tillane's affections, but things get a bit ugly when Sean starts showing an interest in his sister Mary Kate. This sets the story on it's way and with the other characters in this movie, it just gets more entertaining and often funny and musical with many Irish ballads being sang by all and let's not forget about the male bonding in the town pub with the dark beer and song. Beautiful cinematography with many shots taken on location in Ireland with wonderful scenery that will take your breath away. You will enjoy the character of Michaeleen Oge Flynn (Barry Fitzgerald)who seems to take many different roles in the town, but he is very likable and entertaining and his character is one of only a few that actually knew Sean as a child. A very good and lighthearted movie and a movie that I believe John Wayne displayed a more gentle side of himself, but still tough when pushed too far, but still a classic John Wayne effort that leaves your irish eyes smiling. This movie is guaranteed to entertain people of all ages. It was very well done by a company that was supposedly doing low-budget "B" movies (Republic Pictures)and was one of John Fords favorite achievements as a producer and director and the only movie at the time that Republic Pictures made that was ever nominated for an oscar. Very well worth buying and a real nice addition to any John Wayne fans out there and it's a must have for any John Wayne film collection. I would recommend it highly.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Grand movie it is!!
Review: When one thinks of John Wayne they usually imagine Calvary, Indians and the Old West. But John, on occasion, did venture into other areas. In this instance, Ireland, and produced one of his most beloved films. It teams him with long time friends, Maureen O'Hara, Ward Bond, Victor McLaglen, Arthur Shields and Barry Fitzgerald (Shields & Fitzgerald were real life brothers), in a project that was near and dear to John Ford. If you think the old town patriarch resembles Ford, it's with reason - it was his father. Stocked with wonderful Irish character actors like David Farrar and Sean McClory, the ever delightful Jack MacGowan, Ken Curtis (Festus of TV's Gunsmoke as Dermot Fahy uncredited and singing! Former Sons of the Pioneers!!), Mildred Natwick as the Widow Tillane, along with Wayne's kids at the horse race scene.

Wayne is Sean Thornton, a quite peace loving man come home to Ireland. There is much speculation about the Yanks and why he has returned to the wee humble Irish village where his family was from. He was a fighter in the States named Trooper Thornton, but accidentally killed a man in the ring. Haunted by this he wants to go 'home' to his mother's Ireland and find peace. But his factious neighbours do not understand his reluctance to take on the town Bully Red Will Danaher in order to win the love of his wife O'Hara.

Often this movie is criticised as being the "Brigadoon" of Ireland, and that is so, but it's the Ireland of our hearts and imagination and obvious of Ford's heart and imagination. The dialogue is Witty, full of Irish quirkiness. Beautiful location work and the dynamite teaming of O'Hara and Wayne. With marvelous songs like Turalye Anne, Galway Bay, Isle of Innisfree and The Humour is On Me Now and more ( There is a soundtrack available on CD this movie as well).

For many years the version on VHS was a pale washed out copy, but this version gives you the 40 shades of green of Eire and the brilliant red hair of O'Hara, they way it should be. The DVD is so sharp, it's truly like seeing it for the first time.
At this steal of a price, every DVD should have a copy.

'Tis Grand, Aye, Grand indeed!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Oh So Worth It!
Review: I waited a while before buying this DVD. What finally spurred me to do it was the audio commentary by Maureen O'Hara. Let me say here and now that I am so glad I did buy it.

As a story, The Quiet Man has a bit of everything with some adventure, some romance, some minor violence, some humor and a whole lotta heart. As a DVD, this one is right up with some of the most up-to-date, extra-feature laden ones out there. I loved the new documentary "The Joy of Ireland" as well as the movie commentary with Ms O'Hara.

This DVD has restored audio which only enhances the movie. I'm not sure that much of anything can be done about the picture quality - my VHS tape was the exact same and it has been the same for every screening I've ever seen of this movie. I really believe that the film, cameras and audio at that time just can not be improved upon, even by today's technology possibly just due to the age and quality of the film then. There are lots of little mistakes that audiences today would never 'go for' that had to have been just edited like that back in 1951, like words in speeches being sound-edited out but not redoing the scene and the sound of the words being sung not matching the mouth movements.

I enjoyed listening to Maureen O'Hara's comments through the film although she did tend to repeat herself a bit (but, come on, she's in her 80s!). Still even that was endearing as she relived those happy times and reminisced about her many friends, most of whom she's lost over time. She often would point out her brothers or other cast member's family when they appeared on screen, she translates Mary Kate's confession to Father Lonergan (finally, now I know!) and gives interesting insights about director John Ford. I found the cost of the DVD worth it in that information alone.

This a moving and wonderful movie. The DVD format allows you to view the movie that much more often without having to worry about ruining your tape by too much rewinding as well as allowing us a peek into the lives and times of the people who made such a fantastic film.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best John Wayne & Maureen O'Hara Movie ever!
Review: I love this movie! This is a chaming story which take place in beautiful Ireland. Beautifully filmed, wonderfully acted with a great director and a charming, witty script.

This movie is for everyone, even people who say that do not like John Wayne. This movie will change your mind. The chemistry between John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara is marvelous. The other local characters are great too.

Watch this movie... you will not be disappointed.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Rural Irish life in the 1920s
Review: A mysterious yank (The Quiet Man) arrives on the train and asks for directions to Innisfree. This quiet man turns out to be returning to his home after a hard life in America. There he purchases his old home to the shegrim of the neighbor Red Will Danaher (Victor McLagen), who covets the house himself. We learn a few Irish no-nos; such as you do not play patty fingers with the holy water. I will not go through the whole story as it is fun to watch it unfold. However there is a good example of horse sense as the horse knows to stop at the pub for Michaeleen Oge Flynn (Barry Fitzgerald) whom has a very dry throat.
The scenery gives the story a run for its money.
Note the stars are always for content as different media is mixed in the reviews.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: "Two women in the house -- and one of them a redhead!"
Review: John Ford's "The Quiet Man" is a John Wayne film of a different feather. There are no stampedes, cowboy hats, stagecoaches, six-shooters, or marauding Indians in this film. Nope, instead what we get are idyllic scenery, good-natured match-making, bare-knuckle fistfights, and whimsical townsfolk. This is a film that downplays Wayne's masculine persona by infusing it with a touch of sensitivity and grace. It is also director Ford's love letter to Ireland and the care he approached this film with is apparent in every frame. "The Quiet Man" follows Sean Thornton (Wayne) as he returns to his ancestral homeland to heal after accidentally killing a man during a boxing match. He is reunited one by one with people who knew his father and grandfather and is eagerly embraced by the community. Thornton's eye quickly becomes fixated on redhead Mary Kate Danaher (Maureen O'Hara) and thoughts of marriage enter his mind. However, there's a hurdle in her brother, Squire "Red" Will (Victor McLaglen) who is unwilling to give the couple his blessing. What follows is a serious of charming set-pieces as Thornton and the townspeople do everything they can to help manipulate matters in Thornton's favor. Eventually everything works out but not before the inevitable physical showdown between Thornton and Will which settles everything once and for all. The glorious Technicolor in which the film is shot captures the lush beauty of the Irish countryside to the point where it seems it might overshadow the characters. Yet, Wayne and O'Hara bring such strong characters to life that they manage to elevate themselves above their surroundings. Everyone knows Wayne is money in the bank in the acting department but O'Hara's performance is equally dazzling. Her Mary Kate is every bit the equal of Wayne's Thornton in passion, strength, and hard-headedness that it's a joy to watch Wayne spar against her throughout the film. Like I mentioned before, "The Quiet Man" has a lot in it that you'd probably never expected to see in a John Wayne film, but that shouldn't discourage you in seeking it out. In fact, you should see it just to marvel at how well John Wayne performs in a non-tough-as-nails role.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Just a very good film
Review: I have always loved this film..a labor of love for many of the cast and crew.It took many years for Mr Ford and Mr Wayne to finally get this film made.I play it over and over and i bought "The Special Edition" even though i own the first issue of the DVD just for the comentary of Ms O'hara one of the only difference in editions.It was worth the price to hear her insights to the making of this Emerald treasure.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Quiet Man
Review: If you love the Irish you'll fall in love with THe Quiet Man! Take it from a 3 grneration who can recite it almost word for word. I have never gone to Ireland but John Wanye and Mareen O'Hara really bring the traditional Irish way of life to you in the most beautiful way. YOu will want to treasure it forever.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Widescreen out there...somewhere!
Review: I know this is on widescreen in some format as I saw it on Christmas day on either AMC or the Turner channel. I agree, this really needs to be made available in widescreen with the restored quality version I saw on TV, which by the way looke WAY better than this dissapointing DVD did!! Love the movie....this this transfer is terrible!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: disappointing dvd
Review: I am a huge fan of this movie and I bought it the moment I saw it. Imagine my disappointment when I saw the picture. It is grainy and out of focus. I am sorry that I bought this DVD. The next time they release this title I'm going to wait for the reviews to see if they fixed these problems. Save your money and do not buy this title.


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