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John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Victor McLaglen, Barry Fitzgerald, Ward Bond ... see more see more... , Mildred Natwick , Francis Ford , Eileen Crowe , May Craig , Arthur Shields , Charles Fitzsimmons , James Lilburn , Joseph O'Dea , Eric Gorman , Webb Overlander , Frank Baker , Ken Curtis , Douglas Evans , Sam Harris , Tiny Jones , Jack MacGowran , Mae Marsh , Sean McClory , Al Murphy , Pat O'Malley , Bob Perry , Jack Roper , Harry Tenbrook , Harry Tyler , Patrick Wayne , Hank Worden , David Hilary Hughes , Michael Wayne

Returning to the Ireland of his birth, director John Ford fashions a irresistable valentine to the "Auld Sod" in The Quiet Man. Irish-American boxer John Wayne, recovering from the trauma of having ac... read more read more...cidentally killed a man in the ring, arrives in the Irish village where he was born. Hoping to bury his past and settle down to a life of tranquility, Wayne has purchased the home of his birth from wealthy local widow Mildred Natwick, a transaction that has incurred the wrath of pugnacious squire Victor McLaglen, who coveted the property for himself. By and by, Wayne falls in love with McLaglen's beautiful, high-spirited sister Maureen O'Hara. Her insistence that Wayne conduct his courtship in a proper Irish manner-with puckish matchmaker Barry Fitzgerald along for the ride as "chaperone"--is but one obstacle to their future happiness: the other is McLaglen, who spitefully refuses to give his consent to his sister's marriage, or to honor the tradition of paying a dowry to Wayne. Wayne could care less about dowries, but the tradition-bound Maureen refuses to consummate her marriage until McLaglen pays up. Under any other circumstances, Wayne would have punched out the bullying McLaglen long ago, but ever since his tragedy in the ring he has been reluctant to fight. Local priest Ward Bond conspires with several locals to trick McLaglen into paying his due. They intimate that widow Natwick, for whom McLaglen carries a torch, will marry the old brute if he'll give his consent to the marriage and fork over the dowry. But McLaglen finds he's been tricked and the situation remains at a standoff, with the frustrated Wayne locked out of his wife's bedroom. When Maureen accuses him of being a coward and walks out on him, our hero can stand no more. He marches Maureen to McLaglen's home, indicating that he plans to whale the tar out of both brother and sister. As a huge and appreciative crowd gathers the cornered McLaglen truculently tosses the money in Wayne's direction. Big John hands the bills to Maureen, just as she knew he would, and she ceremoniously destroys the money, just as he knew je would. Having proven their love for each other, there is nothing left for Wayne and Maureen to do but head home and perform their nuptual duties. But first there's the matter of giving McLaglen the thrashing he deserves....and it is this spectacular donnybrook, which covers several acres of land and at least two "pit stops" so that the combatants can quench their thirst, which convinces Natwick that the defeated McLaglen is truly worthy of her love (her logic is on a par with everyone else's in the film!) Though it tends to perpetuate the myth that all true Irishmen live only to fight, drink and make love, The Quiet Man is grand and glorious fun, enacted with gusto by a largely Hibernian cast and directed with loving care by a master of his craft. Written by Frank Nugent and graced with a lilting musical score by Victor Young, the film won Oscars for Archie Stout's Technicolor photography and for John Ford's direction-a real coup for "poverty row" Republic Pictures. If you haven't already luxuriated in this wonderful film, be sure to catch in on the tube next St. Patrick's Day. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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90% liked it

28,987 ratings

Critics

92% liked it

36 critics

Unrated, 2 hr. 9 min.

Directed by: John Ford

Release Date: August 14, 1952

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DVD Release Date: February 20, 2001

Stats: 1,918 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,918)

  • mjgildea
    August 26, 2010
    mjgildea
    The Quiet Man is by no means a truly awful movie, but at the same time I don't understand what the big goddamn deal was. The story was fun (as were many moments) up until John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara's wedding then I just found myself mostly annoyed. The fight scene at the end w... read moreas chaotic (not even fun chaotic, just messy chaos) but overall I just didn't feel like this was a John Ford movie. Sure, some of the scenery was beautiful (and by scenery, O'Hara is included) but this movie is seriously overrated.
  • ythelastman89
    July 19, 2010
    ythelastman89
    One of the many great John Ford/John Wayne movies, this is a lot different from their other collaborations and in many ways one of the best. It's so full of life and has so much to say about relationships, culture and tradition. Most importantly, it's about the idea of a home and... read more a future. The performances are wonderful, as are the characters. I think the storytelling structure is extremely unconventional and more exclusive to reality rather than the typical love story. John Ford also directs this movie in a way that makes it unforgettable. The landscape, colors, style and scope are so beautiful and something unique. There wont ever be a movie like it.
  • flixsterman
    December 8, 2009
    flixsterman
    John Ford poured his heart into this one and it shows. They just don't make films like this anymore. Hard drinkin', hard fightin' & hard lovin' on the Emerald Isle. God bless Ireland!


    *Note: Has anyone ever counted how many cigarette butts John Wayne [dramatically] t... read morehrows on the ground? At least 10, right?
  • sanjurosamurai
    October 28, 2008
    sanjurosamurai
    this film was very good, but at the same time it was a bit up and down for me. i have a fascination with ireland as the home of my ancestors, and this is one of john waynes few great performances, but at the same time i hard a hard time not being exceptionally bored at moments. ... read more overall a great film that all should watch.
  • kenstachnik
    September 10, 2008
    kenstachnik
    Another triumph for Ford.
  • moonrivers
    August 16, 2007
    moonrivers
    a classic. period. john ford opens wide the doors for irish tourism with this sentimental visit to a place that never was. maybe the duke's best (oh, waitaminnut, i forgot..."the searchers")...but this one will make you smile. maureen o'hara really just about steals the movie (.... read more..from the duke?!? yep.) lovin' the malarkey she's slingin around...you'll want to beat her w/a stick, too. "the priorities must be observed at all times..."
  • sainttom93
    January 14, 2007
    sainttom93
    THE BEST!!!!!
  • binky013
    March 18, 2006
    binky013
    Dare I say that I'm not a John Wayne fan? But this is the one movie of his I love. Not great on the treatment of women, but aside from that, it has a beautifully quiet magic.
  • crazydannielle16
    February 8, 2009
    crazydannielle16
    I started watching this with my boyfriend and it was so boring that we gave up.
    *
    Update: I gave this movie another chance because I was too awake to sleep and it was the only movie around to watch. I saw it to the end. For an old-fashioned movie, it was humorous at some parts ... read moreand even enjoyable but mostly cheesey with a funky ending. The beginning is really hard to get through but once you can get past it... it gets slightly interesting.
    *
    (If you loved Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, you will probably love this.)
  • fb20312798
    September 4, 2007
    fb20312798
    John Wayne does romantic comedy and suceeds pretty well. Set in Ireland the director, John Ford thought it would be better to shoot this film on location in color rather than in a studio in black and white which was done more often at the time. The result is some very beautiful i... read moremagery of the irish country side and a rather good love story. This genre rarely works for me but I liked it here. One of John Wayne's best.

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
March 11, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

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. Full Review

Don Druker
March 11, 2008
Don Druker, Chicago Reader

John Ford's 1952 Oscar winner is a tribute to an Ireland that exists only in the imaginations of songwriters and poets like Ford. Full Review

A.H. Weiler
May 20, 2003
A.H. Weiler, New York Times

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. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Although not a true classic, The Quiet Man is worth more than a cursory glance, especially for those who like Wayne or would like to experience more of his work. Full Review

John A. Nesbit
October 25, 2011
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews

John Ford certainly has a right to some Irish blarney Full Review

Wesley Lovell
August 15, 2011
Wesley Lovell, Oscar Guy

John Ford may be the first director to make me like John Wayne. Full Review

Nell Minow
December 28, 2010
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media

Old-fashioned charmer for the family. Full Review

Michael E. Grost
August 8, 2008
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television

Brilliantly photographed romantic comedy. Full Review

March 11, 2008
Film4

This is an amusing The Taming of the Shrew type comedy handled with a professional softness of touch by all concerned. Full Review

David Parkinson
March 11, 2008
David Parkinson, Empire Magazine

Ideal Sunday afternoon fare. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Red Will Danaher: Father? Little Flynn?
    • Fr. Peter Lonergan: Well, I can't say it's true, and I won't say it's not, but there's been talk.
    • Feeney: A pound on Thornton against the Squire!
    • Michaeleen Flynn: Go away, ye traiter, ya!
    • Michaeleen Flynn: I have... I have come...
    • Mary Kate Danaher: Oh, I can see that. But from whose pub was it?
    • Father Paul: Father, shouldn't we put a stop to it now?
    • Fr. Peter Lonergan: [relishing the fight from a distance] Ah, we should, lad, yes, we should, it's our duty!
    • Woman at Railroad Station: Sir!... Sir!... Here's a good stick, to beat the lovely lady.
    • Sean Thornton: [flicks the switch/stick] Thanks...
    • Father Paul: There's a fight in the village?!
    • Fr. Peter Lonergan: [preoccupied while fishing] Oh, really?
    • Father Paul: Yes, it's Danaher and Sean Thornton!!
    • Fr. Peter Lonergan: Danaher and Sean Thornton!!! Why didn't you say so in the first place?!
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The Quiet Man Trivia

  • In what country was "The Quiet Man" starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara filmed?  Answer »
  • Who played John Wayne's leading lady in "The Quiet Man"? She also played as John Candy's mother in "Only the Lonely."   Answer »
  • in what movie was john wayne called a one eyed fat man.  Answer »
  • What movie starred John Wayne as an x-boxer that was trying to escape the thoughts of what happened to him in the ring? HINT: I moves to his ancient homeland.  Answer »
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