The Quiet Man (1952)
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A retired boxer returns to his Irish birthplace to reclaim his family farm, only to find himself entangled in a fierce dispute over a local woman's hand in marriage.
The story
In the 1920s, Sean "Trooper Thorn" Thornton, an Irish-born American retired boxer, travels from Pittsburgh to his birthplace of Inisfree to purchase the old family farm. Shortly after arriving, he falls in love with fiery, red-headed Mary Kate Danaher, the sister of bullying Squire "Red" Will Danaher. Will also wants to buy the old Thornton property and is angered when the property's current owner, the wealthy Widow Tillane, accepts Sean's bid instead of his. Will retaliates by refusing consent for Sean to marry his sister. Some village residents trick Will into believing that Widow Tillane will marry him if Mary Kate is no longer under his roof.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In the 1920s, Sean "Trooper Thorn" Thornton, an Irish-born American retired boxer, travels from Pittsburgh to his birthplace of Inisfree to purchase the old family farm. He falls in love with Mary Kate Danaher, but her brother Will Danaher refuses to consent to the marriage and wants the property for himself. Villagers trick Will into thinking he can marry the wealthy Widow Tillane if Mary Kate leaves his house. Will allows the marriage but refuses to give Mary Kate her dowry. Sean, who has sworn off fighting due to a past incident, is frustrated by Mary Kate's insistence on the dowry, which she views as her freedom. After a period of estrangement and a brief reconciliation, Mary Kate attempts to leave for Dublin. Sean rescues her from a train and forces her back to the Danaher farm, where he demands the dowry. When Will refuses, Sean declares he will abide by the custom "no fortune, no marriage." Shocked, Will pays the £350, which Sean immediately burns. A massive fistfight ensues between Sean and Will, attracting a large crowd and lasting for miles. The two men eventually share a drink and admit mutual respect before Sean knocks Will unconscious. The next day, a humbled Will begins a courtship with the Widow Tillane, while Sean and Mary Kate return to their cottage.
- First release year
- 1952
- Runtime (minutes)
- 129
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English; Irish
- Directors
- John Ford
- Writers
- Frank S. Nugent · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- John Wayne · Sean "Trooper Thorn" Thornton; Maureen O'Hara · Mary Kate Danaher; Victor McLaglen · Squire "Red" Will Danaher; Barry Fitzgerald · Michaeleen Óge Flynn; Arthur Shields · Rev. Cyril Playfair; Ward Bond
- Genres
- romantic comedy; drama; boxing
- Themes
- Tradition vs. Individualism; Class and Social Division; Love and Sacrifice; Irish Identity
- Tone and mood
- Romantic; Epic; Comedic; Lush
- Premise and plot tags
- Period Piece; Romance; Boxing; Irish Culture
- Source material / true-story basis
- A 1933 Saturday Evening Post short story of the same name by Irish author Maurice Walsh, later published as part of a collection titled The Green Rushes.
- Reception
- The film was a financial success and received universal acclaim from critics, being praised for its photography, score, and performances, though some found its length unnecessary.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 91% · review count: 46
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Director · Won; Academy Award · Best Cinematography · Won
- Production trivia
- The scene where John Wayne kisses Maureen O'Hara during a storm appears in E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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