The Quiet Man

The Quiet Man, motion picture about an Irish American boxer who returns to his family homestead in Ireland and falls in love with a local woman, based on a short story by Maurice Walsh. John Ford earned an Academy Award for directing this romantic comedy, which was released in 1952. Sean Thornton (played by John Wayne) wants to leave his violent past behind him and start a new life in the village where he was born. He falls in love with Mary Kate Danaher (Maureen O'Hara) and marries her, despite the objections of her brother Red (Victor McLaglen). Red refuses to pay the dowry and challenges Thornton to a fight. Thornton refuses to fight because he accidentally killed a man the last time he was in a prizefight. Mary doesn’t know this, and leaves Thornton because she believes he is a coward. Thornton proves his bravery and his boxing ability in a long, brutal fight with Red, winning his wife’s love and Red’s respect. The film also earned an Academy Award for Winton C. Hoch and Archie Stout’s cinematography.

Director

• John Ford

Cast

• John Wayne (Sean Thornton)
• Maureen O'Hara (Mary Kate Danaher)
• Barry Fitzgerald (Michaeleen Flynn)
• Ward Bond (Fr. Peter Lonergan)
• Victor McLaglen (Red Will Danaher)
• Mildred Natwick (Mrs. Sarah Tillane)
• Francis Ford (Dan Tobin)
• Eileen Crowe (Mrs. Elizabeth Playfair)
• May Craig (Woman at railway station)
• Arthur Shields (Reverend Cyril Playfair)
• Charles FitzSimons (Forbes)
• James Lilburn (Father Paul)
• Sean McClory (Owen Glynn)
• Jack MacGowran (Feeney)
• Ken Curtis (Dermot Fahy)
• Mae Marsh (Father Paul's mother)
• Joseph O'Dea (Guard Maloney)
• Eric Gorman (Engine driver Costello)
• Kevin Lawless (Firefighter)
• Paddy O'Donnell (Porter)
• Webb Overlander (Station master)
• Harry Tenbrook (Police officer)
• Major Sam Harris (General at race)
• Harry Tyler (Pat Cohan the Publican)
• Patrick Wayne (Child)
• Michael Wayne (Child)
• Melinda Wayne (Child)
• Antonia Wayne (Child)
• Tiny Jones (Child)
• David Hughes (Constable)
• Jack Roper (Boxer)
• Douglas Evans (Ring physician)
• Al Murphy (Referee)
• Don Hatswell (Guppy)
• Hank Worden (Trainer in flashback)

Awards

• Academy Award for Best Director (1952): John Ford
• Academy Award for Best Cinematography—Color (1952): Winton C. Hoch, Archie Stout

Quote

• Red Will Danaher: “If he were the last man on earth and my sister the last woman, I’d still say no.”