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
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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
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Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
Review:
This film is a great comedy by suspense director Alfred Hitchcock, that moves very slow by modern standards, but is effective nonetheless or particularly because of it, for really, during the entire movie, nothing happens. The trouble with Harry is that he is dead. And as several people find his dead body, he gets buried and dug out time and time again, for they don’t really know what to do with him. Set in a small New England town, the film works precisely because it is a parody of the whole suspense genre, for all the people behave like only people in those movies behave - to hilarious effect. Hitchcock might be remembered for other classics, but the film perfectly illustrates what a capable director he was and that he was well aware of the clichés his films were following.
Random Observations:
The Trouble with Harry at the IMDb
Feature film début for Shirley MacLaine.
“I’ve never been to a home-made funeral before. ” “I have. It’s my third. All in one day.”
As you might have guessed the film draws much humour not just from the situations, but also from the dialogue.
Tags: 1955, Alfred Hitchcock, American Film, Barry Macollum, book adaptation, Comedy, Dwight Marfield, Edmund Gwenn, english, Jack Trevor Story, Jerry Mathers, John Forsythe, John Michael Hayes, Mildred Dunnock, Mildred Natwick, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Parker Fennelly, Royal Dano, Shirley MacLaine, The Trouble with Harry
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