zkonedog If you ask most people alive today what the "legacy" of actor John Wayne will forever be, they will most likely respond "a swaggering, confident cowboy who always defeated the bad guys and rode off into the sunset". Though a good portion of his films (Rio Bravo, El Dorado, The Sons of Katie Elder, etc.) followed that very theme, the Duke's REAL legacy is the nuanced roles he played so well, not the standard Western fare.Just think back to some of Wayne's best screen performances and what types of characters he played: -Red River (Thomas Dunson; threatens to kill his adoptive son) -The Searchers (Ethan Edwards; nearly murders his little niece in cold blood) -The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (Tom Doniphon; a psychological mess by the end of the film) -True Grit (Rooster Cogburn; a tottering old drunk who, at times, can hardly stay on his horse)Clearly, Wayne actually thrived as an actor when not stereotyped as the heroic cowboy, and his performance in "The Quiet Man" only serves to advance that sentiment.In "Quiet Man", Wayne plays Sean Thornton, a seemingly retiring fellow who is returning to his hometown of Innisfree in Ireland. While there, he meets the woman of his dreams, Mary Kate Danaher (Maureen O'Hara), and tries to start a new life for himself after being disgraced in the United States as a boxer who killed a fellow pugilist in the ring. However, Thornton quickly discovers that the courting customs in Innisfree are radically different from those in the States, as he must first persuade Mary Kate's brother, Will Danaher (Victor McLaglen), to give up his sister's hand in marriage.While that brief plot description above pretty much describes the gist of the film, leaving it at that would be like saying The Searchers was just about cowboys and Indians. In typical John Ford (director) fashion, this film is filled with nuances that can only be caught after multiple viewings. Whether it be Wayne's reactions to the extremely odd dating rituals, or the strange characters he meets while getting reacquainted with Innisfree, Ford fills the picture with all kinds of little trivialities and inside jokes.Not only that, but the acting and music in this film are spectacular. Wayne and O'Hara turn in what some may consider to be their strongest acting performances every (or, at the very least, their strongest together), while the rest of the cast is full of funny and interesting characters. Add to that an incredible score that captures the Irish roots of the film, and you really do have a film for the ages. By the time Sean Thornton makes his trip through town in advance of his final confrontation with Will Danaher, you will be rooting him on every step of the way.Some time ago, my Dad started a tradition of viewing "The Quiet Man" once a year...on (or very near) St. Patrick's Day, in keeping with the film's Irish bend. I was a participant in that annual tradition not too long ago, and let's just say that I will be continuing it into the future.

castelsamba Sean Thornton, an American prizefighter, Irish-born, who accidentally killed an opponent, went back home to free his mind, and buy his family property in Ireland. On his trip to home, he met a girl, Mary Kate Danaher, and they both fall in love. Mary Kate's brother, Squire "Red" Will Danaher, opposed Sean decisions to buy the propriety and refused to marry him to Mary Kate. Using strategies, Sean finally buys back the family propriety and ends up marrying Mary Kate with no dowry. Ignorant of the local traditions, Sean did not want to fight for the dowry, but his wife forced to do so. The film's theme can be seen as the importance of local traditions, the place that money and influence have in Ireland. Sean used his money to get back the propriety at a price higher than the value of it. Red took advantage of his local influence to refuse to give the dowry. To get back the dowry, Sean had to fight him and accomplish what is seen a merit by the society. Like in John Ford's film, THE GRAPES of WRATH, this one too shows the power of money and local rules. In "The Grapes of Wrath", families are sent out of their proprieties for defaulting on payment; that's the law. The great lesson I've taken from the film is that we should learn local rules and traditions if we want to become inclusive in the new society we live in.

stackja For John Ford a triumph.As the Academy Awards, USA 1953 bears witness.John Wayne, a wonderful performance, as in all his films.Maureen O'Hara, as ever great.John Ford favorites, Victor McLaglen and Ward Bond give good support.Barry Fitzgerald just the right character for the role.And as does Arthur Shields And Ken Curtis in a small role.I note various negative opinions.Seems not everyone likes this film.This movie is one of my favorites since the 1950s.If one accepts it as intended, it is perfect.

Robert Reynolds This movie needs no introduction from me, but this is to indicate that there will be spoilers ahead:I love this movie and it's probably my favorite John Wayne film. But even as good as his performance is, Maureen O'Hara's is even better. Both leads are frequently upstaged by the character actors John Ford populated this film with from start to finish. Arthur Shields as Reverend Playfair, Mildred Natwick as the widow Tillane, Ward Bond as Father Lonergan Sean McClory as Owen Glynn, Jack MacGowran as Feeney and many others give wonderful performances here. Barry Fitzgerald chews the scenery as the matchmaker and sometimes treasonist Michaleen Flynn and Victor MacLaglen got an Academy Award nomination for an overdone performance as Will Danaher, O'Hara's brother.Wayne plays a retired prizefighter sworn off fighting who's returned to his birthplace for peace and a well-earned obscurity because of what happened in his last fight. He successfully buys his birthplace and its surrounding farm from the widow, making an enemy of Danaher in the process. He slowly wins over the people of the village, starting with Flynn, the two clerics and the local IRA man Glynn.Then he sees O'Hara and is struck by her, deciding he wants to marry her. Thus begins the central plot of the film-the clash of Irish ways with Sean Thornton's more relaxed and open approach, comparatively speaking. Mary Kate's "fortune" (dowry) becomes a sticking point when Thornton couldn't care less whether she gets it or not.By a subterfuge, Danaher is convinced to give consent and the couple are married, buy Mary Kate considers Sean a coward because he won't fight for her dowry. The film climaxes with a chase at the railway and a monumental fight between Thornton and Danaher.This film is on DVD and Blu Ray and is well worth getting. Recommended.