John Ford
 

John Ford was a superior director. Mainly known for his westerns with John Wayne, he also made excellent films with Henry Fonda, including My Darling Clementine, Hamlet in the west. One of my favourite Ford films is How Green was my Valley, which you would believe was made in Wales but was actually shot in US with mainly American actors. Winner of four Oscars, one of the giants of cinema.

Stagecoach is a phenomenal piece of work. I don't always agree with Ford's politics in his films, but his vision is marvellous.

The Grapes Of Wrath and My Darling Clementine are definite favourites for me. The feel of the former is brilliant and it's amazing to realise how long ago it was done because that atmosphere just seeps through the screen and into your mind. Shamefully I've still got loads of his films to get through.

I saw this thread and thought I'd throw this in, (might put some noses out of joint, but what the hell.)
I sat down to watch The Searchers the other day, and was bored out of my skull. Being a huge film fan, I'm quite aware of John Ford's contribution to cinema and so decided to see it, if only to tick it off the list of films to see.
I must confess I don't like John Wayne. Useless cardboard actor, although even I can't deny he has great screen presence, and I did enjoy Rio Bravo (probably because of Dean Martin.)
I just couldn't engage in the story, thought the dialogue was dull, and tried my best to stay awake, but failed.
I'm wondering if there are other film fans out there who also wonder what all the fuss is about...

I think you have to be a bit careful to separate the actor from the role. Wayne, or Marion Morrison was a deeply unpleasant man who had few, if any virtues. Ford himself remarked, I believe, that he did have the advantage that he was one of the few actors who looked good on a horse and Wayne also managed to ensure he didn't serve in the armed forces during the war, so he was available, both in and out of bed.
But if you start holding the Hollywood "greats"up to a strong light you won't see much to feel good about.
Ford used whatever talent he could find and IMV one of his talents was that he managed to make a passable purse out of a sow's ear.

The Grapes and Wrath and The Searchers both changed cinema forever.

The Searchers was certainly a milestone in cinema, and whether you like Wayne or not, or even find the politics of the film hard to stomach, the cinematography is simply stunning.

On the subject of Wayne - yes, he was a very unpleasant individual, and no, he couldn't act, but by god he could hold the screen, and that is why he's a Hollywood great.

Good stuff . . . .

I love some of Ford's work although My Darling Clementine is not one that i particularly liked.

I would agree that the Searchers and Stagecoach are both brilliant films and one other of my favourites is the Man who Shot Liberty Valance.

As soon as i saw a John Ford post I knew i'd find you on here Kev:)

As for the man, he was clearly a great director and has a fantastic body of work - of which my own favourite is The Searchers