Starring
John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Barry Fitzgerald, Victor McLaglen, Ward
Bond, Mildred Natwick. Directed by John Ford. (1952, 129 min).
Show
me someone who doesn’t love The Quiet Man and I’ll show
you someone who doesn’t love movies. It’s the crowning
achievement of director John Ford’s amazing career (and his most
personal film), featuring John Wayne at his most charming, Maureen
O’Hara at her most beautiful & feisty, not to mention the
greatest prolonged fight scene of all time.
For those who do
love movies, you probably already have The Quiet Man in your
collection, perhaps even the Olive Films' Blu-Ray that was released
only three short years ago. This
release – part of Olive's new Signature series – more or less
boasts the same terrific picture and sound as the 2013 Blu-Ray (which
was remastered in 4K). So why put out another edition so soon?
 |
| "Ever heard of roses, Sean?" |
As
nicely restored as the 2013 release was, the supplemental material
was somewhat lacking for such an iconic film, just a 30 minute
retrospective by Leonard Maltin, a leftover DVD
feature. This disc includes quite a few new extras and audio
commentary (outlined below). This stuff is interesting, but not
nearly as comprehensive as Olive's John Ford: Dreaming The Quiet Man, a lengthy documentary released as a stand-alone Blu-Ray in
2012, which is absolutely worth seeking out. Too bad it isn't
included here as a second disc; you'd have an indispensable set on
your hands.
As
it is, the Olive Signature edition of The Quiet Man looks and
sounds great, but it's the new bonus features that might be of the most
interest to fans of the film, even if they already own the previous
disc. If you don't yet have The Quiet Man in your collection,
this handsomely packaged version is the one to pick up.
EXTRA
KIBBLES:
FEATURETTES:
“The
Old Man: Peter Bogdanovich Remembers John Ford”;
“The
Making of The Quiet Man” (was also included on previous
discs);
“Free
Republic: The Story of Herbert J. Yates and Republic Pictures”;
“Don't
You Remember It, Seanin?” (visual essay by film historian Tad
Gallagher)
“A
Tribute to Maureen O'Hara” (my favorite of the new features,
one-time co-stars Juliet Mills, Hayley Mills and Ally Sheedy fondly
recall their experiences working with O'Hara).
Audio
Commentary by Joseph McBride, author of the biography, Searching
for John Ford.
Illustrated
Booklet.
KITTY CONSENSUS:
MEE-OW! BETTER THAN A FRESH CAN 'O TUNA
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