The Critics' Corner - THE QUIET MAN

"[John Wayne] ably undertakes a role which makes the best of his rugged physical qualities." - Los Angeles Times, 1952

"No surprise is John Wayne's excellence...As always under Ford's tutelage, he's plain great. What is unexpected is the flair for comedy he demonstrates here...Never before, I'm sure, have you seen a movie quite like this one, nor will you again, unless you go see it twice or more. Which, incidentally, is what I recommend you do" - Kay Proctor, Los Angeles Examiner, 1952

"As darlin' a picture as we've seen this year." -New York Times, 1952

"An entertainment for an IRA club night." -David Thomson, A Biographical Dictionary of Film (Knopf, 2000) .

"You will be amazed by John Wayne's nuanced performance as The Quiet Man, the Irishman returning home to Inisfree after years in Pittsburgh steel mills. The entire cast is a delight, and the camera caresses the Irish countryside." - David Bleiler, TLA Film & Video Guide.

"Critics often speak of how couples create their own electricity on the screen - well, Sean and Mary Kate literally cause thunder and lightning when they kiss. They are the supreme matchup of Wayne and O'Hara, one of the cinema's most appealing, most underrated, romantic teams. Handsome Wayne and beautiful O'Hara are wonderful together, exhibiting strength and, because their characters are in love, vulnerability and tenderness." - Danny Peary, Cult Movies 3.

"John Ford's first return to Ireland since The Informer was one of his most commercially successful postwar films, though not his best. It is too fll of gay 'blarney' and picturesque characters - among whom is Barry Fitzgerald's stage Irish priest. [There are however some beautifully observed scenes, notably the delightful formal courtship and the village steeplechase. Ford's vision of a fairy-tale Ireland may not be realistic but it is as affectionate as his vision of the West.]" - Georges Sadoul, Dictionary of Films.

Awards & Honors - THE QUIET MAN

The Quiet Man won Academy Awards® for John Ford for Best Director (his fourth and final Oscar®), Winton C. Hoch and Archie Stout for Cinematography. It received Nominations for Best Picture, Screenplay, Art Direction/Set Decoration, Sound, and Supporting Actor (Victor McLaglen).

Other awards include:
Directors Guild of America Award to Ford.

National Board of Review Best Picture.

Writers Guild of America Award for Best Screenplay (Frank S. Nugent).

The Quiet Man finished 12th on Variety's list of the top-grossing pictures for 1952, with rentals of more than $3 million.

Compiled by Rob Nixon & Jeff Stafford