John Ford: The Man and His Films [Hardcover]

Tag Gallagher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 29, 1986

This radical re-reading of Ford's work studies his films in the context of his complex character, demonstrating their immense intelligence and their profound critique of our culture.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Ford directed his first film in 1917, his last in 1965. Although many of his best-known movies re-create the mythos of the Old West, he directed enduring classics in other genres. Gallagher believes Ford's oeuvre can be placed in four "ages": introspection, idealism, myth, and mortality. These may mirror Ford's personal evolution, but he was an extremely private, complex man, so correlations are uncertain. Still, Gallagher has deftly interwoven detailed interpretations of Ford's major works with knowledgeable analysis of the man. There is also discussion of film theory in order to place Ford in the proper framework. Many books have been done on Ford (by Andrew Sarris, Peter Bogdanovich, et al.), but this is definitive and possibly one of the best of its kind. Highly recommended. Roy Liebman, California State Univ. Lib., Los Angeles
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Ted Gallagher's articles have appeared in Sight & Sound, Film Comment, Artforum, and many other publications.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 600 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press (May 29, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520050975
• ISBN-13: 978-0520050976
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,043,148 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars John Ford's films, May 24, 2001

By 

"joeccosta" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: John Ford: The Man and His Films (Paperback)

If one is searching for a biography of John Ford, this is not the book. (A suggestion--Scott Eyman's "Print the Legend" Another, with a slightly different emphasis but still with insightful observations--"John Wayne's America" by Garry Wills.) But as an analysis of specific Ford films as well as the themes he used throughout his career, this book is invaluable. Gallagher's style is a bit too academic at times, but he offers some interesting observations (His examination of the structure of "The Searchers" is particularly memorable).

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All the bio (as well as analysis) that you could ever need!, December 29, 2000

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: John Ford: The Man and His Films (Paperback)

I don't think customer Lee Kane is quite right when he says that Tag Gallagher's labour-of-love book is mainly about the films. Gallagher's writing is spare and lean but he gives at least as much biography as the purely biographical books.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars John Ford: A Brilliant Film Director whose Dark Glasses hid Poetic Eyes, July 18, 2005

By 

C. M Mills "Michael Mills" (Knoxville Tennessee) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: John Ford: The Man and His Films (Paperback)

T. Gallagher has written an outstanding book on the films of John Ford from his primitive Westerns of the silent era through his last film "7 Women" in 1965.

Gallagher includes biographical information on the enigmatic Mr. Ford-tough guy; closet intellectual; painter of superb movie landscapes and all around genius!

Gallagher's main focus, however, is a close study of all the John Ford movies. His commentary is to be read slowly (a dictionary to look up the abstruse words he likes to use can also prove handy!). Gallagher's writing is often academic (using big words and jargon of film scholars), pedantic and obscure.

However, overall he does a good job at getting at the essence of a film's worth. Gallagher helps you to "read a Ford film" giving you new insights into the neglected genius of the fiery Irishman who made the best American movies of his time.

If you want a biography of John Ford turn to the excellent biographies by Joseph McBride or Scott Eyman among others. If you

want primarily a scholary study of the movies made by Ford then

Gallagher is for you.

I enjoyed the book and recommend it to fans of Ford or for anyone wishing to know more about this legendary director of such classics as "Rio Grande"; "Fort Apache" "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" "The Grapes of Wrath"; "Drums Along the Mohawk"; "Young

Mr. Lincoln"; "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence" and countless other classics! Well recommended.