This sentimental film is ok, but at the risk of being hounded off of the site, to be brutally frank this is kind of the ultimate Irish film for people NOT of Irish descent- I'm telling you, for some reason, everyone I know who loves the film isn't Irish whatsoever, or embarassingly thoroughly assimilated Americans of Irish descent who don't know jack shit about the country or history beyond Lucky Charms commercials and the Droopy cartoon where Spike had an Irish accent and kept yelling Stop whacking me with that shilllelagh . If you want to see a good Ford film about Ireland, see " The Informer" instead.

For years, I've been told by various people, "I know you don't like John Wayne, or John Ford, but if you're of Irish ethnicity, you need to see this movie." So, finally, I decided to bite the bullet, and check it out. And, I'm sorry to all those who are fans, but I wasn't impressed. John Ford may be a brilliant craftsman, a first-rate technician when it comes to the mechanics of film-making...I would concede as much...but he deals in stereotypes and ridiculously unrealistic characters (even more so than other directors/film-makers from that same time period), and that hasn't changed simply because the setting of the story has been changed from the American West to Ireland. The photography, the scenery, is, of course, sumptuous and magnificently beautiful. Ironically enough, John Wayne is the least offensive of anyone here. Again, he doesn't really act (I once saw an interview with James Caan, who co-starred with Wayne in "El Dorado", and he told of how, after years of method-actor training and Stanislavski and the like, he saw Wayne doing his standard "Take 'er easy, there, Pilgrim" routine, and burst out laughing derisively in Wayne's face; surprisingly enough, Wayne took a liking to Caan and would tell him before a scene, "I'm going to the scene this way, and I want you to make that face that you do when I start"...Caan had no idea what "face" he was talking about), but he's more restrained than usual, and it almost works, within the context of the movie's plot. Maureen O'Hara, an extraordinarily beautiful actress, fares the worst. She alternates between making gooey cow eyes at Wayne then exploding in monumental rage at some innocuous remark he makes (isn't it a given that Irish women, more so than others, are explosively unpredictable and whacky?). Barry Fitzgerald (who, in actuality, was a Protestant and a nationalist) plays his usual "cute" Irish gremlin. Victor McLaughlin is Wayne's belligerent nemesis, and their fight scene at the end of the film is probably its best, most effective moment in the film. Appearing in a bit part is a young Jack MacGowran, who years later would portray director Burke Dennings in the movie "The Exorcist". In Ford's vision of Ireland, Catholics and Protestants get along together superbly, and the only cause for controversy is O'Hara's not getting her dowry and worrying that her new husband is less than a man's man because he can't stand up to her brother. The film gets an extra star from me because of the photography, and some of the performances, but this is not a film I anticipate ever having to (or wanting to) watch again. Then again, if you like Wayne and Ford, you'll assuredly like "The Quiet Man".

  A beautifully photographed salute to the Irish by John Ford. The Irish were a bit miffed over them being portrayed in such stereotypical fashion. A fun and entertaining movie with most of John Ford's stock players brought down only by John Wayne "foreplay", frequently slapping Maureen O'Hara's backside in a gesture of love. Oh well, it is John Wayne's trademark move.

The old man that gets up from his deathbed to go watch the big fight was John Ford's real-life Irish brother.

One of my top movies, and one of the most entertaining fight scenes in any movie. Nobody in the movies throw a better right hand than John Wayne, or the left too for that matter. Without Maureen O'Hara this movie would rate far less. It has great cast too. It's an old cliche, I know, but they don't make them like this any more.

This was fantastic! A bit hard to follow in some scenes, but overall a brilliant film. The scenery alone would have been worth the entire film, and I don't think John Ford could have found two better suited actors for the leading roles. Only Maureen O'Hara could have been dragged five miles, kicked in the rear, and still walked off exuding that much dignity and grace. John Wayne is also the only man who could have looked manly refusing to fight for his woman. (not to mention drag her five miles, kick her tush and make it look funny instead of shocking!) And I'm with pineywoodsslim on cheering for lack of political correctness...a feautre horribly lacking in today's "don't breathe too heavy, you could offend someone" society.

While visiting my 78-year old dad, we watched it on AMC. Unbeknownst to me, my pop seems to have watched this movie a dozen times and knew every line and every scene like so many Rocky Horror revelers. Though I am not the biggest John Wayne fan, this one is great. The veiled sexuality between Wayne and Sizzling hot red-head Acollene Maureen O'Hara is palpable -- even in 1952. It was neat when O'Hara confides a very discreet issue on their inability to consummate their marriage with the town priest (Ward Bond) in Gaelic. Victor McLaglan and the Duke have one of the best Hollywood Fights in history. The Irish locales are visually stunning. Overall, a real treat I was glad to share with Pops. Seek it out.

Nice Hollywood movie with the Irish way back when, lovely theme music The isle of Inishfree and great scenery. John Wayne as the the tough American in a wee town of idiots and peasants, too much for me, Is it Sean Thornton or Thorn Seanton I'm talking too!....

One of John Wayne's top 2 or 3, rivaled only by The Searchers.The scenery was excellent in this film and Wayne's costar O'Hara was at her typical best.

Picturesque Ireland, beautiful Maureen O'Hara and The Duke all stirred by the elegant hands of John Ford. If you haven't seen it, take the time to give it a look. Not politically correct -- Hooray!

I saw this film a long while ago and didn't appreciate it. I perceived it as a prejudiced, sexist piece. Since I haven't seen it as a mature adult, I will bestow upon it a rating of 3.5 stars and simply state that it is on a level beyond the doldromous wasteland of modern American cinema. But she ain't no Kurosawa, neither.

A great movie, by the master John Ford, with wonderful red-head Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne, more touching and sexy than he's never been (through his wet shirt...) Don't miss it