Customer Reviews

John Ford: The Man and His Films

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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).

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.

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.

This is a good book, even though not what I was looking for. The title says "The man and his films", but this book is mainly about the films. That means, if you are looking for the definitive Ford bio, this book isn't it.

That said, this book does has its advantages. It explores Ford's movies in depth, revealing new facts and a lot of insight. It also has a lot o photos.

If you want research on his movies, this is the book for you. If you want a biography, I suggest you read "Hollywood's Old Master" by Davis.

This is one of the better books out there about John Ford. Ford is one of the greatest American directors ever, and arugably the best director to ever emerge from the studio system (some may disagree on that a bit). Tag Gallagher talks about all phases of Ford's career, from stunt man/prop person to masterful director. Ford directed over 200 (!) films, and almost all of them were classics or near classics. Only until the end of his career did Ford become a little sloppy, but even then, many of his films were still damn good.

Gallagher talks about Ford's relationships with studios, actors, actresses, and specific films (including really hard to find films of Ford's, like Rising of the Moon, Gideon's Day, The Sun Shines Bright, and Seven Women, Ford's last feature). Gallagher goes into a myriad of details about almost every film, but his deepest analysis goes into two films, The Sun Shines Bright (Ford's favorite of all his work), and Ford's final feature, Seven Women, which is arguably his most underrated film and one of the most unique films in his entire canon. In fact, Gallagher dedicates nearly 15 pages of his book to Seven Women, including a reprint of a letter sent to him by none other than Ford himself. Ford thanked him for his support, and even said he felt it was one of his best films.

This is a delightful book for anyone interested in John Ford. Ford's films still resonate today, and this book will enhance them beautifully.