Customer Reviews

The Complete Guide to the Quiet Man

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Des MacHale book about "The Quiet Man" movie is a book that drew its information and sources from an earlier book written in 1990, about the same subject, written by Gerry McNee, ISBN 1851583211, "In The Footsteps of The Quiet Man". MacHae's unprofessional and unkind remarks and comments in several pages through out the book about the American Actors performances demonstrates his contempt and bias feelings towards these great American Actors, (ie Ward Bond and Francis Ford). Although it contains information about this movie, it is over priced and poorly written. After all anyone can reprint information word by word concerning a movie script. It lacks depth, and historical review of several important facts about the movie and factural information about the actors, the cast and crew that played in it. It has no references and draws the majority of its information from his review of the movie viewed several hundred times. Detail and attention are lacking.

John Ford's cinematic valentine to the land of his ancestors is lovingly and critically explored in this charmingly written book by Irish author-scholar Des MacHale. Widely regarded as one of Ford's masterpieces, THE QUIET MAN has pretty much captured the title of everyone's favorite Irish movie. If you're one of those fans, look no further for a magical trip back to Inisfree and Sean and Mary Kate.

MacHale traces THE QUIET MAN saga from the original story by Maurice Walsh - which is included in its entirety - to Ford's purchasing the rights in 1936, the movie's long gestation before Republic picked it up, filming in Ireland in 1951 and subsequent events. The main part of the book is a detailed and insightful scene-by-scene breakdown of the movie enlivened by MacHale's Irish wit; for instance: "If Red Will Danaher were a house, he would be a bungalow - nothing upstairs."

This book simply wouldn't have been as interesting if the author hadn't been Irish himself. MacHale's knowledge of Irish history, language and culture elevates this book beyond the usual movie book, supplying, as he does, so many fascinating details that provide a back-story to the movie.

Reading MacHale's book will bring a smile to your face as he discusses the many memorable scenes and characters in the movie. Wayne and O'Hara made a wonderfully real couple. Who would have thought that the crusty, cantankerous Ford could direct such gentle yet passionate scenes! Though some say Barry Fitzgerald stole the show, Maureen O'Hara's performance is incredible. And what an entrance she had!

Whether you are a dyed-in-the-wool QUIET MAN fan or just a movie lover, you will want to read this book. It brings to life, like few books have, the story of a memorable movie and the talented people who helped create movie magic.

If you like the movie, you will love the book - so much information

We are big fans of the movie and I recently managed to see some of the movie sites when in western Ireland recently, which is what inspired my wife to get me the book for Christmas.

If you are a fan then just go ahead and get this book - you can't go wrong. Great pics and insights abound.

This is a wonderful companion to the movie, "The Quiet Man". Des MacHale has done a painstaking job analizing and commenting on the entire movie. The script is included as well as the original story on which the movie is based. There are interviews with the cast and crew, photos of scenery, trivia about the movie as well as explinations for the Irish idioms within the movie! Read this book and you will learn just what "There'll be wigs on the green tonight" means!

When my book arrived. Prices on this book run the gamut online. I was lucky to find one at this price. New edition, fast shipping (from UK) and a fabulous edition to any Quietman superfreak.