In 1952, John Ford produced a film masterpiece, showing an idyllic Ireland, which everyone who watches The Quiet Man, based on Maurice Walsh's short story 'Green Rushes' , takes to heart.
Based in and around Cong and the grounds of Ashford Castle, the film tells the story of a returned Irish emigrant son of the area, come home to claim his birthright.
John Wayne Looks For Peace in His Homeland
John Wayne fills the screen as a retired boxer whose heart is now set on finding peace in his homeland by buying the rose-covered cottage , 'Pride of Morn', birthplace of the Thorntons, from the local landlowner, the Widow Tillane.
Barrry Fitzgerald, playing a caricature role, attaches himself to our hero and acts on his behalf to help him settle back into the romanticised 'Innisfree' and to find him the love of his life. Trouble looms in the huge bulk of Victor McGlaglen, who disputes 'Sean Thornton's 'right to the land , or to court his sister, played by Maureen O'Hara.
Apart from one of the longest fight scenes in cinematic history, a retired British Army Officer , who drinks away in a closed pub , apparently oblivious to everything going on around him, numerous half-smoked cigarettes tossed away, slammed railway carriage doors and a 'stick to beat the lovely lady with', the film plays out lightly and everyone lives happily ever after.
The Field
However, just 65 miles away, another film was made in 1990, by Jim Sheridan, based on John B.Keane's play, 'The Field'
John B. gave us another massive character who filled the screen; the Bull McCabe. The Bull's main aim in life is to buy the field he has spent his life cultivating, from its owner, another Widow.
His henchman,the Bird is an amalgam of Michaleen Og Flynn and Feeney from the Quiet Man, at times shining but then whining. The banter of the pub and the asceticism of the Church are both introduced to play their parts as in all Irish Drama.
The Bull's position is challenged by yet another visiting American ,who wants the 'Field' for his own purposes. There is another red haired beauty, this time a tinker girl with whom the Bull's feckless son Tadgh runs away and of course there is the inevitable fight, but this time, under no Marquis of Queensberry Rules. This is a fight to the death.
We see again many Irish stock characters on view but this time with all of their frailties showing.
Was John B. just holding up a mirror to show us the reverse side of Irish society at the time?
How far away is Leenane from Cong; 65 miles or just the other side of the looking glass?
Sources:
Movies:
The Quiet Man: Republic Pictures, 1952
The Field: Avenue Pictures, 1990
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