THE QUIET MAN

US, 1952, 130 Minutes, Colour.
John Wayne, Maureen O' Hara, Barry Fitzgerald, Ward Bond, Victor Mc Laglan, Mildred Natwick, Arthur Shields.
Directed by John Ford.

The Quiet Man is one of John Ford's most entertaining films. It stars one of his favourite actors, John Wayne, who had appeared in Stagecoach, The Long Voyage Home and many Westerns during the 40s and 50s and into the 60s. He was often teamed with Maureen O' Hara in Ford's films, eg. Rio Grande, Wings of Eagles. Victor Mc Laglan, Barry Fitzgerald, Mildred Natwick, Ward Bond, who had appeared in many Ford films, also feature here. It is a very entertaining story of Ireland, full of Irish flavour and style. The colour photography is very beautiful. All in all, excellent cinema entertainment.

1. How ironic was the title? How was the quiet man the central figure of this film? How important was the contrast between Ireland and America in this film?

2. How was Ireland a strong character in the film? What beauties and love of Ireland emerged from the film? How was Ireland made to contrast with the U.S.? The colour, beauty and tranquillity of Ireland? The manners of Ireland? The old-world customs? How was this illustrated immediately by the train's arrival and the discussion at the station about the way? Of Michaeleen's presence with the buggy?

3. How humorous a film? Wat it a good comedy? Its main comedy ingredients? How were they successfully presented?

4. Sean Thornton as the central character. Why had he returned? Did it matter that this was not known until later in the film? What hopes did he have from Ireland? How proud was he of his heritage? His wanting to buy his home? Was it normal that he should have wanted to marry Mary Kate? His strengths? The impression of cowardice that he gave? The fact that he would put up with this? His amazement at the customs of courting? His withstanding the taunts of Red? How good a man was Sean Thornton?

5. Was Mary Kate a typical Irish heroine? What were her strengths? Her weaknesses? The way that we saw her at the church, in her family? How happy could an Irish girl be in such situations? How much room for unhappiness was there? Her place at home with her brothers and with Red? Her disappointment in his running her life and engagement? The fact that she had to abide by customs? Her willingness to thwart them when she was out with Sean Thornton? Why was the dowry so important to her? Was this made clear? Why couldn't Sean understand this? Why did she refuse to consummate the marriage? How stubborn was she? Why did he taunt Sean with his cowardice? Did Sean do the right thing in making her walk the five miles? Did his humiliate her? How happy was she after the fight? Why did they both live happily ever after?

6. How typical of the Irish ruffian was Red? How boorish was he? Why? What motivated him? Why was he in love with the widow? Why was he blind as how to behave? His book? The follower on? His behaviour at the race? His wanting to pick a fight? The fact that he was humiliated in the fight? Did this matter? All ended happily anyway.

7. What aspects of the Irish character did Michaeleen represent? As the human equivalent of a leprechaun? His companionship for Thorn? His matchmaking abilities? Helping Sean and Mary-Kate? Scheming against Red? The importance of drink and the horse stopping outside the hotel? The mischievous, happy, scheming Irishman? How engaging was Michaeleen? How likable?

8. Father Lonnegan and Father Paul. How did they represent the Catholic Church in Ireland? What picture of the church did they give? The authority of Father Lonnegan and yet his friendliness? The fact that he would enter into the schemes with Michaeleen? Father Paul and his relationship with his mother? His riding in the race? Father Lonnegan and his fishing and his leaving it to go to the fight? Were they caricatures or were they probably the real thing?

9. The role of the Playfairs in the film? As Protestants in Catholic Ireland? As well liked in the village? For example, the Catholic support when the Bishop arrived? The importance of Mr. Playfair in helping Sean understand his situation? (Just as Father Lonnegan had helped Mary Kate.)

10. What did the widow add to the story? Her selling the place to Sean Thornton? Her place at the race? Her thinking that Red was a boor? Yet her love for him? And all ended happily every after?

11. Comment on how the ordinary people of the village were presented? The people in the pub? The people at the station? The fight?

12. How vividly was the whole way of life presented in the film? The Church, the village, the pub, the races, the town itself?

13. What did the race add to the film? In terms of plot and dramatic irony? Mary Kate's feelings? Sean's feelings? The plot run by Father Lonnegan, Mr. Playfair and Michaeleen?

14. How important was the fight in the film? The fact that Sean had been reluctant? Sean's background and his memories of the death? Mary Kate's taunts of cowardice? Red's ridiculing of him? How important was it that Sean beat Red? As regards the dowry and the marriage? How well filmed was the fight? The people following from the station, the people and the betting, the interruptions and the going to the pub, Red's tricks, the whole joyful good nature of the fight?

15. How satisfying was the end of the film? How did it sum up all that had gone before?

16. How optimistic a view of mankind did the film present? Was this part of its charm and its enjoyment?