SVS: “The Quiet Man”

Last updated on: May 1, 2015 at 12:48 pm by Joseph Susanka

SVS: “The Quiet Man” 2015-05-01T12:48:37-06:00 Joseph Susanka

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I’ll begin at the beginnin’. A fine soft day in the spring, it was, when the train pulled into Castletown, three hours late as usual, and himself got off. He didn’t have the look of an American tourist at all about him. Not a camera on him; what was worse, not even a fishin’ rod.

In my charmingly contrarian way — a phrase I say mostly in the hopes that if I repeat it enough, it’ll become true and I’ll be charming instead of just contrary — I’ve long and frequently gone on the record as preferring “The Quiet Man” of Maurice Walsh to The Quiet Man of John Ford.

There are a couple of reasons for this: I’ve never been a huge Maureen O’Hara fan (a strike against Ford’s version) and the ending of the short story is both more plausible and more satisfying (a point in favor of Walsh’s version). Plus, I love the “Irish-y” way the characters speak in the book — “Give him time, colleen.” “Mother o’ my son, will you come home with me?” “Very well so, agrah.” — and those sorts of dialects are not among the list of Wayne’s strengths. (And there’s just something a bit…uncomfortable about the relationships between the two of ’em that always keeps me at arm’s length from the leads. A product of its time? Surely. A deal-breaker? Not really. But still, a bit uncomfortable.)

There’s no need for us to quibble over such details, though. Just enjoy it. It’s about as much fun as one could want from a film of a Friday night — in large part because it utilizes so well the strength of its supporting characters (Barry Fitzgerald, Ward Bond, and Victor McLaglen are the stand-outs in a crowd of stand-outs); the beauty of its setting (Ireland’s pretty photogenic, apparently); and the charm of its music (obvious Irish folks songs are no less charming because of their obviousness).

It’s on NETFLIX INSTANT. And can be rented from YOUTUBE($), GOOGLE PLAY($), and AMAZON INSTANT($). Or you can just buy it.

John Wayne hangs up his spurs to star as bachelor ex-boxer Sean Thornton in this endearing classic. Back in his native Ireland, the Duke’s thoughts turn to domestic tranquility after courting the lovely Mary Kate (Maureen O’Hara). But her brother (Victor McLaglen) may need to have some common sense knocked into him — literally — before the deal is done. The film won two Academy Awards, including Best Director (John Ford).

All I ask is that once you’re finished watching (and, no doubt, enjoying) Ford’s film, you find yourself a copy of Walsh’s story. You can love both. That’s what I do. (And then, go find a copy of Walsh’s “Son of Apple.” It’s not easy to find, but it’s wonderful.)

I knew your people, Sean. Your grandfather; he died in Australia, in a penal colony. And your father, he was a good man too.

Attribution(s): All posters, publicity images, and stills are the property of Paramount Pictures and other respective production studios and distributors, and are intended for editorial use only.

Movies

Streaming Video Suggestions

Previous Post

April 30, 2015

Experiencing Pop-Culture Through A Four-Year-Old Filter

Next Post

May 4, 2015 SSF: "Invention of Love"

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Art Baseball Faith Family Lenten Music Movies Music No Commentary Necessary Parked By the Jukebox Photography Politics Quodlibets Streaming Video Suggestions Summa Short Films Television The Man Behind the Booth Through a Lens, Darkly

Select a Month December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 July 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 November 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz