Posts Tagged ‘John Ford’
Monday, August 30th, 2010
Review:
After his family has been murdered by Comanche, John Wayne sets out to take his little niece back from them. For years he tracks the tribe, with the help of an adopted son, more intent on revenge than anything else. This John Ford film features what may be Wayne’s best performance and has a magnificent story. Ford, of course, is a very able director and the film is very close to being perfect, even if it has become rather dated and the story and themes could be explored much better.
Random Observations:
The Searchers at the IMDb
This film is a favourite of many contemporary film-makers. Steven Spielberg claims to watch it before starting each of his films to remind himself what a perfect film looks like.
The film reminded me of a quote from The Dark Knight: “You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”
The only film to star both Natalie Wood and her little sister Lana. But while Natalie is by far the superior actress, she is upstaged here by her ten year old sister.
It’s a bit strange to see this film after having seen so many films that have been obviously inspired by it.
We continue our Themed Weeks Theme with John Wayne Week. Two more Wayne westerns on Wednesday and Friday!
Tags: 1956, Alan Le May, American Film, Antonio Moreno, Beulah Archuletta, book adaptation, Dorothy Jordan, Drama, english, Frank S. Nugent, Hank Worden, Harry Carey Jr., Henry Brandon, Jeffrey Hunter, John Ford, John Qualen, John Wayne, John Wayne Week, Ken Curtis, Lana Wood, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Natalie Wood, Olive Carey, Patrick Wayne, Pippa Scott, The Dark Knight, The Searchers, Vera Miles, Walter Coy, Ward Bond, Western
Posted in Minute Movie Reviews, Movie Reviews, Movies | No Comments »
Sunday, March 21st, 2010
Review:
In the 1920s, a man returns from America to his native Ireland. He wants to live where he was born and he makes friends in the small village and courts a beautiful woman. But when her brother reneges on her dowry, shadows from his past begin to stir. The film is not nearly as dramatic as that sentence makes it sound, in facts it’s often closer to comedic than dramatic. Basically, it’s a love letter to an Ireland that probably never really existed, stereotypes and all. Director John Ford, himself a son of Irish immigrants, wanted to make this deeply personal film and his love for the subject matter shows in every frame. Ireland probably never has been greener. And while the film is certainly entertaining in it’s innocence, the story is ultimately just not interesting enough to really capture the viewer.
Random Observations:
The Quiet Man at the IMDb
Lead John Wayne also had Irish ancestors, but a few generations earlier.
There is green in every single frame in this film. Sadly, the master all available DVDs are made from is not very good and the picture (which won an Oscar for cinematography) is not very clear.
The old man who gets out of bed at the end is played by John Ford’s older brother Francis.
Tags: 1952, American Film, Arthur Shields, Barry Fitzgerald, based on previously published material, book adaptation, Charles B. Fitzsimons, Comedy, Drama, Eileen Crowe, english, Eric Gorman, Francis Ford, Frank S. Nugent, Jack MacGowran, James Lilburn, James O'Hara, John Ford, John Wayne, Joseph O'Dea, Kevin Lawless, Maureen O'Hara, May Craig, Mildred Natwick, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Oscar, Paddy O'Donnell, Sean McClory, The Quiet Man, Victor McLaglen, Ward Bond
Posted in Minute Movie Reviews, Movie Reviews, Movies | No Comments »
Saturday, March 13th, 2010
Review:
When a US senator comes back to the small town that started his political career for the funeral of a friend, the newspapermen are naturally curious. So he relates the story of how he first came to the town as a young lawyer from the East and ran into trouble with a local gunslinger named Liberty Valance while befriending a rancher and meeting his future wife. And the rest of the story is in the title. The film isn’t so much a normal western as a film about the time when the old west was transformed into civilized country. The film, shot in black and white, is a sad yet captivating tale, with some stand-out moments, brought about by the two lead actors, James Stewart and John Wayne, who shine despite playing character thirty years their junior.
Random Observations:
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance at the IMDb
I’ve seen quite a few westerns in the last months and so far this has been one of my favourites.
The bad guy is played by Lee Marvin, who acts every bit the part.
The film sports some drastic plot holes, but the overall story is convincing, the metaphor elegant and the characters strong enough to ignore that.
Tags: 1962, American Film, Andy Devine, based on previously published material, book adaptation, Carleton Young, Denver Pyle, Dorothy M. Johnson, Drama, Edmond O'Brien, english, James Stewart, James Warner Bellah, Jeanette Nolan, John Carradine, John Ford, John Qualen, John Wayne, Joseph Hoover, Ken Murray, Lee Marvin, Lee Van Cleef, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, O.Z. Whitehead, Paul Birch, Robert F. Simon, romance, Strother Martin, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Vera Miles, Western, Willis Bouchey, Willis Goldbeck, Woody Strode
Posted in Minute Movie Reviews, Movie Reviews, Movies | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
Review:
Another John Wayne western, where this time around he plays a cavalry colonel dealing with his son, whom he hasn’t seen in fifteen years, turning up as a trooper, and then his wife coming back to fetch the kid home. There are some nice scenes, some good explorations of the tensions after the American Civil War, but overall, the film is hardly memorable.
Random Observations:
Rio Grande at the IMDb
Conclusion of John Ford’s unofficial cavalry trilogy, following Fort Apache and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.
The film was made quickly and cheaply so that the studio would allow Ford to shoot his next film on location in Ireland and in colour and could finance that endeavour.
Tags: 1950, Alberto Morin, American Film, based on previously published material, Ben Johnson, Chill Wills, Claude Jarman Jr., english, Fort Apache, Fred Kennedy, Grant Withers, Harry Carey Jr., J. Carrol Naish, James Kevin McGuinness, James Warner Bellah, John Ford, John Wayne, Karolyn Grimes, Maureen O'Hara, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Peter Ortiz, Rio Grande, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Sons of the Pioneers, Stan Jones, Steve Pendleton, Victor McLaglen, Western
Posted in Minute Movie Reviews, Movie Reviews, Movies | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
Review:
John Wayne (at 41) played a 60-year old Cavalry Captain about to retire immediately after General Custer’s now infamous defeat. The American West seems threatened by the Natives and the Cavalry desperately tries to keep it safe for the civilians in this story which is incredibly boring and mainly consists of people riding around. Add to that a completely inappropriate comedic bar fight, a highly unrealistic climatic scene and annoyingly patriotic overtones delivered in the voice-over narration and you might end up with a bad film. But actually, the film is quite good, saved by the beautiful scenery shot in colour, that serves as perfect background for the musings about a man who has none nothing but the military retiring. Add some aspects of the integration of the Confederacy back into the Union and you actually get a pretty good film - if you can look past the hours spent just riding around.
Random Observations:
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon at the IMDb
Second part of John Ford’s Cavalry trilogy, following Fort Apache.
The film also has a romantic subplot, which doesn’t really add anything to the story, but gives Wayne another chance to shine as the wise and good old guy who the other soldiers look up to.
Tags: 1949, American Film, Arthur Shields, Ben Johnson, Chief John Big Tree, Chief Sky Eagle, english, Fort Apache, Frank S. Nugent, Fred Graham, George O'Brien, Harry Carey Jr., James Warner Bellah, Joanne Dru, John Agar, John Ford, John Wayne, Laurence Stallings, Michael Dugan, Mildred Natwick, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Noble Johnson, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Tom Tyler, Victor McLaglen, Western
Posted in Minute Movie Reviews, Movie Reviews, Movies | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
Review:
A new commanding officer is sent to Fort Apache, which he sees as a demotion, and subsequently exasperates the other people there by his text-book approach that is not really helpful in dealing with the Apaches. This classic John Ford film spends most of its running time examining life on such a remote outpost of the US military, which is unusual, but after a while becomes quite boring. Apart from that, the story is a thinly disguised take on General Custer’s life with some great scenes and a great lead in Henry Fonda. If only the film wouldn’t drag throughout, it would be really great.
Random Observations:
Fort Apache at the IMDb
First instalment in John Ford unofficial Calvary Trilogy. The other two films will be reviewed by this publication in the near future.
The film is part of a (British) “John Wayne directed by John Ford” boxset, but it’s really a Henry Fonda film.
Considering the film was made in 1948, it is surprisingly realistic in its depiction of who was to blame for the trouble between the Native Americans and conquering Whites.
Feature film debut of John Agar! You have never heard of John Agar? Well, neither have I. But he was married to co-star Shirley Temple at the time, so clearly his star was on the rise.
Tags: 1948, American Film, Anna Lee, based on previously published material, Dick Foran, english, Fort Apache, Frank S. Nugent, George O'Brien, Grant Withers, Guy Kibbee, Hank Worden, Henry Fonda, Irene Rich, Jack Pennick, James Warner Bellah, John Agar, John Ford, John Wayne, Mae Marsh, Mary Gordon, Massacre, Miguel Inclán, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Movita, Pedro Armendáriz, Philip Kieffer, Ray Hyke, Shirley Temple, Victor McLaglen, Ward Bond, Western
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Thursday, September 17th, 2009
Review:
A group of travellers thrown together in a stagecoach make their way through Apache territory, always afraid of an attack. Along the way, they grow closer and apart. The idea behind the film (and story upon which it is based) is simple, but elegant. And so is the film. The story is gripping to the end with many interesting characters and a few surprisingly developments. Sure, the end is as cheesy and predictable as can be and the depiction of the Indians/Native Americans as mindless savages is dated, but the film is good nonetheless, driven more by interesting characters than great action scenes - although there are some pretty impressive ones in there as well.
Random Observations:
Stagecoach at the IMDb
This is the film that started John Wayne’s career as the biggest Western star ever.
Claire Trevor was actually top-billed for the film, being the biggest star at the time.
The film really belongs to Thomas Mitchell, who plays the drunk but wise Doctor in a delightful turn.
Some really nice photography of Utah’s Monument Valley, the first film to be made there.
Best Director Oscar record winner (with four awards to his name) John Ford was only nominated for this film, losing out to Victor Fleming for Gone with the Wind.
Made in 1939, often considered the best year of all time for American films. Click on the 1939 tag to see other films from that year!
Tags: 1939, American Film, Andy Devine, Berton Churchill, Claire Trevor, Donald Meek, Dudley Nichols, english, Ernest Haycox, George Bancroft, Gone with the Wind, John Carradine, John Ford, John Wayne, Louise Platt, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Oscar, Stagecoach, Thomas Mitchell, Tim Holt, Tom Tyler, Victor Fleming, Western
Posted in Minute Movie Reviews, Movie Reviews, Movies | No Comments »
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