The Quiet Man

In 1952, legendary director John Ford made the film The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Barry Fitzgerald and Victor McLaglen.  Filmed on location in Ireland, The Quiet Man is the story of an Irish born, Irish-American (Sean Thornton played by Wayne) who returns to his roots to live in the house he was born in.

The Quiet Man was the second of five films that Wayne and O'Hara made together.  The others were Rio Grande (1950), Wings of Eagles (1957), McClintock (1963) and Big Jake (1971).  

The Quiet Man was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning two: Best Director (Ford) and Best Cinematography - Color.  The other five nominations were: Best Picture (Ford - won by Cecil B. DeMille for The Greatest Show on Earth), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (McLaglen - won by Anthony Quinn for Viva Zapata), Best Writing, Screenplay (Frank S. Nugent - won by Charles Schnee for The Bad and the Beautiful), Best Art Direction - Set Decoration, Color and Best Sound - Recording.

Thornton is met at an Irish train station by his guide Michaeleen (Fitzgerald).  Later, Michaeleen describes the newcomer to his Irish friends as, "a nice, quiet, peace-loving man, come home to Ireland to forget his troubles.  Sure, yes, yes, he's a millionaire, you know, like all the Yanks." 

Shortly after arriving in rural Ireland, Thornton spots, along a country road, the beautiful Mary Kate (O'Hara).  It was love at first sight.  The scene reminds me (in The Godfather) of when Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) first sees Apollonia (Simonetta Stephanelli) along a country road in Sicily.

Unfortunately, Mary Kate, as is the custom in Ireland at the time, needs her brother's permission (no father) to marry Thornton.  Squire Danaher (McLaglen), the brother, is angry at Thornton for buying the piece of land he also had his eye on.  He forbids the union.  "Never!"

Later, the Squire is tricked and allows Thornton and Mary Kay to marry.  However, when the trick is revealed the Squire refuses to give Mary Kay her dowry, which represents "her personal value to the community and her freedom."  

Growing up in America, Thornton doesn't understand what the dowry means to his wife.  Without her dowry, to her the marriage is invalid.

Having killed a man in a boxing ring, Thornton hesitates to fight his brother-in-law.  But, when Mary Kay abandons him the day after their wedding, he gets the message.

Thornton follows Mary Kay to the train station and drags her all the way to the Squire's home.  There, he demands either the dowry or he will return Mary Kay to her brother.  

The Squire grudgingly gives Thornton the dowry in cash, but then ensues one of the longest fights (eight and a half minutes) in film history.  In the end, Thornton and Mary Kay are a happy married couple.