The Quiet Man is a 1952 American romantic comedy-drama film directed and produced by John Ford, and starring John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Victor McLaglen, Barry Fitzgerald, and Ward Bond. The film is based on a 1933 Saturday Evening Post short story of the same name by Irish author Maurice Walsh, which was later published as part of a collection titled "The Green Rushes". The screenplay was written by Frank S. Nugent.
The story follows Sean Thornton, a retired American boxer who returns to his native Ireland in the 1920s. He falls for a spirited redhead, Mary Kate Danaher, whose brother, Will, is contemptuous of their union. The film features a supporting cast that includes great performances by Victor McLaglen, Barry Fitzgerald, and Ward Bond. The scenery, shot by Winton Hoch, is breathtaking and showcases the Irish countryside. The film also features a long, climactic, semi-comic fistfight.
The Quiet Man was an official selection of the 1952 Venice Film Festival and has been included in the Library of Congress's National Film Registry.
Plot
- Sean Thornton, a former boxing champion, returns to his native Ireland after accidentally killing an opponent in the ring.
- He falls in love with Mary Kate Danaher, a fiery red-haired local girl, played by Maureen O'Hara.
- Mary Kate's brother, Will Danaher, is a bullying squire who wants to marry her and claims the property where Sean's family's homestead is located.
- Sean and Mary Kate's relationship faces opposition from Will, who objects to their union and refuses to hand over the dowry.
- Mary Kate refuses to consummate the marriage until Sean retrieves the money.
- Sean and Will eventually come to blows in a climactic fistfight, with the townspeople eagerly watching the confrontation.
- Father Lonergan, a local priest, counsels Mary Kate about her duties as a married woman, while Reverend Playfair advises Sean about the importance of the dowry to his wife.
- In the end, Sean and Mary Kate's relationship is tested, but they ultimately find a way to overcome the obstacles and get married.
Trailer
Cast
- John Wayne as Sean Thornton
- Maureen O'Hara as Mary Kate Danaher
- Victor McLaglen as Squire 'Red' Will Danaher
- Barry Fitzgerald as Michaleen Oge Flynn
- Ward Bond as Father Peter Lonergan
- Mildred Natwick as The Widow Sarah Tillane
- Francis Ford as Dan Tobin
- Eileen Crowe as Mrs. Elizabeth Playfair
- May Craig as Fishwoman with basket at station
- Arthur Shields as Rev. Cyril 'Snuffy' Playfair
- Charles B. Fitzsimons as Hugh Forbes
- James Fitzsimons as Father Paul
- Sean McClory as Owen Glynn
- Jack MacGowran as Ignatius Feeney
- Joseph O'Dea as Molouney - Train Guard
- Eric Gorman as Costello - Engine Driver
- Kevin Lawless as Train fireman
- Paddy O'Donnell as Railway porter
- Mary O'Farrell as Mother (uncredited)
- Dermot Fahy (uncredited)
- Police Constable (uncredited)
- Nell - Maid (uncredited)
- Father Paul's Mother (uncredited)
- Ringside Photographer (uncredited)
- Girl on Wagon at Horse Race (uncredited)
- Teenage Boy at Races (uncredited)
- Boy on Wagon at Horse Race (uncredited)
- Teenage Girl at Races (uncredited)
- Man in Bar (uncredited)
- Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
Director: John Ford
Writer: Frank S. Nugent, Maurice Walsh
Distributor: Republic Pictures
Genre:Drama
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 1, 1952
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 14, 2014
Themes
- Love and relationships
- Identity and self-discovery
- Forgiveness and healing
- Pride and honor
- Cultural differences and understanding
Reception
Critics praised the performances, screenplay, and depiction of Irish culture. The movie was a commercial success, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of 1952.
Challenges faced
- Adapting a short story into a full-length film
- Working with a talented and strong-willed cast
- Balancing drama and comedy in a romantic comedy-drama genre
Settings
- Ireland, specifically the countryside around the village of Cong
Visual Styles
- Lush, colorful cinematography by Winton C. Hoch
- Artful use of lighting and shadows
- Impressive set design and art direction
Techniques
- Long, climactic, semi-comic fist fight
- Memorable performances by John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara
- Effective use of musical score by Victor Young
Trivia
- The film was shot in sequence, which helped the actors and crew maintain the authenticity of the story.
- The village of Cong in County Mayo, Ireland, was the inspiration for the fictional village of Inishfree.
- The movie's production designer, Frank Hotaling, won an Oscar for his work on the film.
Fun Facts
- The Quiet Man was the first film John Ford directed after a seven-year absence from directing.
- The film's screenplay was written by Frank S. Nugent, who also directed the 1951 film "The Westerner".
- The movie's production budget was $1.1 million, and it grossed $2.2 million at the box office.
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