The Quiet Man(1952), an arguably underrated John Ford movie, almost never saw the light of day. The only reason it was made was because of a gamble made by studio boss Herbert J Yates of Republic Pictures, which saw the release of the Western movieRio Grandetwo years earlier. Part of the deal to first makeRio Grandewas to have the same cast, so John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara co-starred in both pictures.The Quiet Manis perhaps the best of thefive movies Wayne and O’Hara made together.
WhileRio Grande,aJohn Ford Western, was a triumphant blend of action and heartfelt sentiment,The Quiet Manwas a surprising departure, both forJohn Ford’s directorial careerand John Wayne’s usual roles. He plays a retired boxer, Thornton, who returns to his Irish roots in the fictional town of Inisfree, which he says has become synonymous with heaven to him. The film centers on his efforts to regain his family’s land while he falls for a lively local woman, Mary Kate, played by Maureen O’Hara. Its stunning visuals and cultural portrayal delve into identity and tradition.
Republic Pictures Cut Ford A Deal When He Was Desperate
The Quiet Manwas arisky major departure for John Fordthat paid off in the end, but his studio, Republic Pictures, would not allow him to make it until he had directedRio Grande. Ford, who was smitten with the Maurice Walsh storyThe Quiet Manis based on,spent 15 years trying to finance the adaptation(perIreland’s Eye). Multiple studios had been dismissive of the movie, and even when Ford got Republic to agree, it came with this catch that Ford made another Western for them first as a trade-off for this departure from the genre.
Studio boss Herbert J Yates said the purpose ofRio Grandewas to make the money he assumed they would lose onThe Quiet Man.This means the former was a means to an end, which may have put a bitter tinge on the production. Nonetheless, it was certainly a success at the box office. While critics noted that the western conventions in Ford’sCavalrytrilogy were well-worn, they showed“few signs of wear and tear”regardless (perNew York Times).
Both Wayne & O’Hara Movies Are Great, But The Quiet Man Is Better
The Quiet Man Surprised And Delighted Audiences
Despite Ford being uninterested in directing another Western at that point in his career, none of his genre fatigue spoils the final product. TheWestern movie starring John Wayneand Maureen O’Hara was shot in just 32 days on the beautifully filmed location of Monument Valley near Moab, Utah. The horsemanship and stunts were praised, as well as the songs. In 2008, it was one of 50 films nominated for the top 10 best Westerns by the American Film Institute. This is a testament to the formula for success Ford had honed by the time he made the movie.
Maureen O’Hara even joked that by the time he got it made, they would be too old for their roles…
This being said,The Quiet Manwas a better work overall. Thecharming Irish rom-com proved all the studios wrongby outperformingRio Grandeat the box office. It greatly elevated Republic Pictures with its Oscar nomination for Best Picture, so Ford’s perseverance in getting the film made paid off. Maureen O’Hara even joked that by the time he got it made, they would be too old for their roles.
Thanks to the money raised byRio Grandeto financeThe Quiet Man,an Irish story that was dismissed by many as silly is now remembered as a refreshing departure for both John Ford and John Wayne. Both of them have cemented their place in movie history,The Quiet Manhaving a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes andRio Grandea respectable 75%.
The Quiet Man
Cast
The Quiet Man is a 1952 romantic drama directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne as a retired boxer who returns to his Irish roots. Set in the idyllic countryside, the film follows his attempts to reclaim his family’s homestead while pursuing a romance with a spirited local woman played by Maureen O’Hara. Known for its vivid scenery and cultural depiction, the film explores themes of identity and tradition.
Rio Bravo
Rio Bravo is a 1959 Western film directed by Howard Hawks featuring John Wayne as the sheriff of a small town. The story follows his efforts alongside a disabled man, a drunk, and a young gunfighter to keep the brother of a local troublemaker incarcerated in the town jail.
