The Quiet Man

BBBBB

(out of 5)

If The Searchers is John Wayne’s best western, The Quiet Man is his best film outside the Oater genre. He plays a champion boxer who runs away from his high-profile life after a tragic accident in the ring, seeking shelter in his mother’s native Ireland and looking to buy the home she grew up in. Once there he immediately becomes a member of the community, falling in love with a local beauty (Maureen O’Hara) and eventually deciding to marry her. This is the first feature film ever to be shot in Ireland, and it is a breathtaking drama, full of marvelously charming little moments that manage to always feel so important. The Technicolour photography is stunning, the acting is fantastic (even the Duke manages a few lucid moments) and the characters indelible. Don’t go another second without seeing this.

USA, 1952

Directed by John Ford

Screenplay by Frank S. Nugent, based on the story by Maurice Walsh

Cinematography by Winton C. Hoch

Produced by Merian C. Cooper, John Ford

Music by Victor Young

Production Design by Frank Hotaling

Costume Design by Adele Palmer

Film Editing by Jack Murray

Film Festivals:  Venice 1952

Academy Awards
Best Cinematography (Colour) (Winton C. Hoch, Archie Stout)
Best Directing (John Ford)

Nominations
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Victor McLaglen as “Red Will Danaher”)
Best Art Direction (Colour) (art direction: Frank Hotaling; set decoration: John McCarthy Jr., Charles Thompson)
Best Motion Picture (John Ford, Merian C. Cooper, producers)
Best Sound Recording (Republic Studio Sound Department, Daniel J. Bloomberg, sound director)
Best Writing (Screenplay) (Frank S. Nugent)

Golden Globe Award Nominations
Best Director (John Ford)
Best Original Score-Motion Picture (Victor Young)

National Board Of Review Award
Best Film

Writers Guild Award
Best Written American Comedy

Directors Guild Award
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures (John Ford)