John Ford’s The Quiet Man (1952), starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara (with Ford regulars Victor McLaglen and Ward Bond in supporting roles), is being released on Blu-Ray in the UK for the very first time. Released by Masters of Cinema, the Blu-Ray edition has some great special features (if I do say so myself): A new video-essay about John Ford by Tag Gallagher, a doc about the “making-of”, and a booklet of essays by various writers about different aspects of the film (the Technicolor cinematography, an original 1953 profile of John Wayne, the short story from which the film was based.)
I contributed a lengthy essay about John Wayne that will be included in the booklet (not only about his performance in The Quiet Man but on his career and on HIM, in general.)
If you read my site, you know my love for John Wayne, so this was a super-fun assignment.
The Quiet Man Blu-Ray will be available at the link above or via Amazon on November 23.
Congrats, what a great assignment! I want to buy it to see if someone wrote an essay about “and the IRISH PLAYERS.” So many possibilities open themselves to my mind.
hahaha I know. A wandering band of Irish Players!!
I understand why IRISH Irish people have a hard time with that movie – but it’s compulsory viewing for Irish AMERICAN people. Had a funny conversation with an Irish friend about this. “Oh, the movie’s fine, and I understand it’s important for Americans to know where they came from” he said, “But Irish Americans come to Ireland now and think they’re going to find The Quiet Man with Maureen O’Hara throwin’ pots and pans at them. They’re almost disappointed we have cell phones.” hahahaha I know such Irish-Americans! I’m not one of them, but I do know them!
YAY! An early Christmas present for my family! I cannot wait to read your essay.
Wait-I don’t live in the UK! I got overexcited. Has the blu-ray released in the US yet? I have a region free DVD player, but it isn’t Blu-ray.
I am not sure the status of a US release. This may be a UK-only thing. I’m just not sure! Boo!!!
I want to read all the other essays – even if I can’t watch. The DVD copy I have now is the 50th anniversary version – which has some good special features – but the Masters of Cinema release sounds much more deluxe.
It’s actually been released already in the U.S. by Olive Films, but the MoC version is a tad better: http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film4/blu-ray_reviews_58/the_quiet_man_blu-ray.htm
And congratulations on having an essay in the accompanying booklet, Sheila!
Thanks so much, Greg!