Parents' Guide to

The Quiet Man

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Old-fashioned charmer for the family.

Movie NR 1952 129 minutes
The Quiet Man Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Lauren F.
Lauren F. Adult
March 20, 2023
age 9+

Learn from the past

A wonderful classic. Be prepared to discuss with your kids about how it was acceptable back then to abuse and mistreat a woman because there are several scenes where MaryKate is being abused and mistreated. It is a wonderful film to show kids how not to physically treat a woman. Much like watching a slavery movie, or holocaust movie, with kids, I feel there must be discussion about how history teaches us to do better.

This title has:

Educational value
CSM Screen Name 227497
CSM Screen Name 227497 Adult
April 9, 2008
age 13+
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In THE QUIET MAN, tall American Sean Thornton (John Wayne) arrives in Innisfree, Ireland, where he was born, to buy back his family home and settle there. Over the objections of "Squire" Will Danaher (Victor McLaglen), a huge firey man, Sean buys the cottage, called White O'Morning, from the wealthy Widow Tillane (Mildred Natwick). Sean sees Will's sister, Mary Kate Danaher (Maureen O'Hara) out in a field and is immediately struck by her. He approaches her as he would an American girl, but customs are different in Ireland and if he wants to court Mary Kate, he must do it according to the rules and with the permission of her brother. Thus begins Sean's troublesome courtship of Mary, in which her pride, and her dowry, come into play.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (4):

Some critics have claimed that this is an anti-feminist movie, but that is a very superficial perspective. The furniture and money are important to Mary Kate because she wants to enter the relationship as an equal. She believes that without them she will be to Sean what she was in Will's house, just someone to do the work. She says, "Until I've got my dowry safe about me, I'm no married woman. I'm the servant I've always been, without anything of my own!" But it is just as important to Sean to let her know that what he cares about is his love for her, and that alone is enough to make her an equal partner.

Sean also has to conquer his fear of fighting, which requires him to open up emotionally. As "Trouper Thorn," a professional boxer in the U.S., he accidentally killed an opponent in the ring. This left him afraid to let go. In fights with Will and Mary Kate he learns that he can let go physically and emotionally and strengthen his relationships.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Sean and Mary Kate loved each other very much, but had a hard time understanding each other. Why was Mary Kate's dowry so important to her? How did Sean show he understood that? Why did they burn the money? Was that a good way to solve the problem of the dowry for both of them? How did Sean's friends persuade Mary Kate's brother to let Sean marry her? Was that fair? Why did Sean and Will like each other better after fighting each other?

Movie Details

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