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The Quiet Man (1952)

1001 Movies to See Before You Die (Schneider, J.S, Smith, I.H)

By Annie KapurPublished 3 years ago 4 min read
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In this article, we will be looking at 2019’s book “1001 Movies to See Before You Die” and going through each film in a random order that I have chosen. We will be looking at what constitutes this film to be on the list and whether I think this film deserves to be here at all. I want to make perfectly clear that I won’t be revealing details from this book such as analyses by film reporters who have written about the film in question, so if you want the book itself you’ll have to buy it. But I will be covering the book’s suggestions on which films should be your top priority. I wouldn’t doubt for a second that everyone reading this article has probably watched many of these movies anyway. But we are just here to have a bit of fun. We’re going to not just look at whether it should be on this list but we’re also going to look at why the film has such a legacy at all. Remember, this is the 2019 version of the book and so, films like “Joker” will not be featured in this book and any film that came out in 2020 (and if we get there, in 2021). So strap in and if you have your own suggestions then don’t hesitate to email me using the address in my bio. Let’s get on with it then.

“The Quiet Man” (1952) dir. by John Ford

I must have seen this film so very long ago because I do not remember every detail but what I do remember is pretty good. It’s basically about a retired boxer who purchases an old farm and what ensues ensures us to get some laughs, romance and other dramatic, intense and often strange situations that are turned into folly. It stars John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. It was nominated for the Best Picture Academy Award and has been beloved as one of the best known comedy films of its decade with most of the comedy films concentrating on the romantic and human side of the situations of folly.

Variety Magazine stated the following about the film:

“This is a robust romantic drama of a native-born's return to Ireland. Director John Ford took cast and cameras to Ireland to tell the story [by Maurice Walsh] against actual backgrounds.”

The New York Times Review is very informative and covers the acting mostly but also the way in which the setting adds to the film. I will link the entire review at the end:

“Maureen O'Hara is beautiful as his flame-haired love, who has a fiery temper to match her tresses. Barry Fitzgerald is superb as the match-making-bookmaker whose throat is always dry and whose quips are constant. Victor McLaglen is fine as the pig-headed, strong boy brother, and Arthur Shields, as the vicar; Ward Bond, as Father Lonergan; Mildred Natwick, as the Widow Tillane, and the many Abbey players fit the story as neatly as a hand around a glass. Let's face it. Mr. Ford is in love with Ireland, as is his cast, and they give us a fine, gay time while they're about it.”

An independent review concentrates on the genre and story and is actually very well written for an online independent review and I’ll link it at the end. I would highly recommend going to read this if you’re interested in the film:

“The film’s saucy mix of comedy and melodrama is one of its greatest charms, although it can give you whiplash from time to time, especially if you’re not used to Ford’s brand of broad, back-slapping comedy, much of which hinges on drinking, fighting, and men being men to the point of absurdity. If you’re on board with that, The Quiet Man is a gem of a film, and its continued popularity suggests that it has long since outstripped its time and place and entered the realm of the classic.”

So does “The Quiet Man” deserve it’s place on the list? I honestly don’t know. As good as it is, I do think there are better films from the same era that are the same genre. But it is not up to me. What do you think about it though?

Citations:

New York Times

Independent Review

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About the Creator

Annie Kapur

190K+ Reads on Vocal.

English Lecturer

🎓Literature & Writing (B.A)

🎓Film & Writing (M.A)

🎓Secondary English Education (PgDipEd)

📍Birmingham, UK

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