John Ford is my favorite director of all time. It's amazing how you chose 5 classic masterpieces, and yet Ford still has so many to his filmography as well, such as The Searchers, The Informer, Tobacco Road, Fort Apache, The Quiet Man, She Wore A Yellow Ribbon, They Were Expendable, The Last Hurrah, Sergeant Rutledge, etc. Speaks volumes about Ford's strength as a filmmaker. Your list is a perfect set of Ford films, and hopefully will be the entry to more people discovering his works. Thanks for the tribute!
A very worthwhile contribution to UA-cam - thanks. I will seek out "Young Mr Lincoln" again, having a dim memory of seeing it many years ago. I am certainly a fan of the rest of this selection, in particular "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" -with its amazing cast that included the likes of Lee Van Cleef before he became a big movie name himself.
I'm glad you label these as "personal favorites," since there can be no arguing with personal choices. My five favorite John Ford films are The Grapes of Wrath, How Green Was My Family, Stagecoach, The Informer, and The Long Voyage Home.
When you cited How Green Was My Valley, l got a lump in my throat. I first saw that film when l was as old as Roddy McDowell was in the movie and it is indeed a wonderful, timeless film. Thank you for posting.
good video and picks, my list (we share 2 picks): 5. The Informer 4. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance 3. The Grapes of Wrath 2. Drums Along the Mohawk and number 1 the searchers
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for creating this wonderful video. I love how it features many Ford films that are often relegated to the sidelines by some of his more celebrated works. I've always felt that "Valley" was subjected to unjust criticism because of its victory over "Kane"; as though the results from Hollywood's annual beauty contest should/would/could have any impact on the ongoing reputation of either film. "Valley" also has to have one of the most beautiful soundtracks of any film with the lovely, poignant singing of the Welsh miners. And "Clementine" simply glows with beauty and humanity and depth. The "To Be Or Not To Be" scene must surely rank as one of the most inspired renderings of Shakespeare on film. And who would have thought that Victor Mature, of all people, would give such an inspired reading of such a well-known text?
Well done. I've never done a list of Ford's films but I often have Liberty Valance on top when doing John Wayne's best. Oh My Darling also gets my nod as runner-up. And all B&W movies - great list.
Excellent video -- although I'm stunned that you would leave out "The Searchers." For me, that's not only one of the best movies John Ford ever made, but one of the best that *anyone* ever made. Of course, as you said, with Ford there are so many to choose from!
Another great list with stellar analysis for a director that I personally would not have even attempted to summarize in just 5 films. He was a mountain. You did a great job. Love that the younger generations can appreciate moves many sadly dismiss as outdated. Today my younger collogues were talking about how songs got their names. And I mentioned that the Buddy Holly song 'That'll be the day' was from The Searchers. John Wayne's continual annoyance with Jeffrey Hunter saying the line repeatedly in a stern dismissive tone. Holly and the band watched the move and made a classic song. Of course nobody I was talking to, much younger than I, knew who Buddy Holly was or had even seen a John Wayne movie. Again, very refreshing to see others appreciate classic film. As a kid I wanted to watch My Darling Clementine because it was mentioned in a MASH episode and so began my fascination with John Ford.
John Ford was the greatest man in film making of all time I grew up on those movies as I am 79 and I miss them very much they might be gone but John Ford will never be forgotten.
So for me, Stagecoach and The Searchers are the best Ford films. Especially because Wayne plays such different characters here. The young hotshot in one, the bitter outsider in the other. The Searchers is a film about America in transition. Tarantino's Hatefull 8 is just a weak copy of Stagecoach. What Ford achieves in the first 30 minutes - precise characterisations of 10 people - QT (and I'm also a big fan of his films) doesn't manage in 2.5 hours. I also love Wayne's line "Hope I don't crowdin you folks none." when he gets into the carriage. I love the first 17 minutes or so of Searchers - it's just perfect film craftsmanship.
The Searchers is long and boring. I’ve waded through it at least three times. Total nonsense as to why people think it’s good. One of Ford’s best is The Quiet Man with one of John Wayne’s best performances. I wouldn’t have put The Man Who Shoot Liberty Valance on this list but I do agree that John Ford is one of the cinema’s greatest directors because of the many, many outstanding films he made. Some directors listed as ‘great’ usually only have a few films to their names. Other directors I would regard as ‘great’ because of their large body of work, in no special order are Billy Wilder, Alfred Hitchcock, Frank Capra and to a lesser extent Joseph L Mankiewicz. Chaplin has a huge body of work and some of his films are great but I don’t think he made enough great movies. Orson Welles made too few films to fit my definition of ‘greatness’
I agree that "My Darling Clementine" was a great movie, but not one scene was historically accurate. It was complete fiction from beginning to end. I still love it because it's simply one of the best western movies ever made.
It's no accident that the very first AFI Lifetime Achievement Award went to John Ford in 1973. This list is solid, but my personal list would have found room for "The Quiet Man."
How Green Was My Valley was Alex Trebeck's favorite. It was also named Best Picture in 1941 beating out Citizen Kane. Like the whole scenario at the camp dance in Grapes.U left out Strother Martin, Lee van Cleef, Woody Strode in your description of LV. Vera Miles is still around.
I am an attorney. If I could hope, as a defense attorney, to set up a prosecution witness at the last minute and win the case based upon the Farmer's Old Almanac, it would be to ask, "Why'd you lie?"
Yes, Ford had so many great movies that rating them is Almost impossible. I would put The Grapes of Wrath is #1. Great movie that reflected the life of many in the Great Depression era. I would put The Searchers as #2.
Can't argue with this list, but. The searchers! Fort apache! Are you kidding! With great directors as well as actors, it's impossible to properly justify a top five, top ten yes.
I could live with this list if you put The Searchers at #1 and bumped the rest down one, chasing Young Mr Lincoln. My Darling Clementine is terribly underrated.
TAKE OUT THE MOVIE " THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE" AN ADD IN " THE INFORMER" . TAKE OUT " MY DARLING CLEMENTINE" AN FILL IN WITH " THE SEARCHES. FORD WON THE BEST DIRECTORS AWARD FOR " THE INFORMER" AN VICTOR MCGALLEN WON THE BEST ACTORS AWARD FOR THIS SAME MOVIE. THK YOU. I RESPECT YR CHOICE TOO, BRO!
Seems to be a penchant for black and white films and the potential underlying starkness of “beautiful” shots that apparently cannot be so classic as the cinematography of Ford films such as She Wore A Yellow Ribbon (Academy Award), The Quiet Man, and The Searchers…..oh and the acting in them specifically by Wayne was dam good.
Lincoln and Drums should not be on this list. Add The Searchers (what gorgeous color) and maybe the most beautiful color film, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. Fort Apache. is superb.....I could go on
I would replace ‘Young Mr. Lincoln’ and ‘My Darling Clementine’ with some of these, ‘The Searchers’(overrated, but still a epic), Sergeant Rutledge’ (underrated, Woody’s performance will rip your heart out), ‘Mr. Roberts’(as good if not better than Wilder).
not a bad film here. Impossible to say "best" for me. Prefer "favorite" So in no order....The Searchers, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence, My Darling Clementine, Fort Apache and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, one of the 3 most beautiful color films I've ever seen. Yes I got 6....So sorry.
Interesting he did not include two movies that Ford wan the best director Oscar: The informer (1935) and The Quiet Man (1952). However all the films are great.
Fonda was a great actor, but he’s way too handsome to play Abe. He’s better as Tom Joad. Clementine, yes. Underrated. Searchers is Ford’s greatest and Wayne’s.
Im about to watch this video but heres the top 5 from my head 1 - The Searchers 2 - The Grapes of Wrath 3 - The Quiet Man 4 - How Green Was My Valley and Stagecoach 5 - The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Most of these here are especially fine Ford films but I cannot put THE SEARCHERS on the same level which. I realize is a minority opinion. Wayne‘s performance here though may be his best in a Ford film but the movies racism & all too typically inane humor compromises it’s better moments such as an early revealing & beautifully understated scene between Wayne, Dorothy Jordan, & Ward Bond. A better Ford western, IMO, remains SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON.
My personal favorites are They Were Expendable and The Searchers instead of Young Mr. Lincoln and My Darling Clementine. I think Abe Lincoln in Illinois is a much better in-depth film about Lincoln's pre-presidential life. My Darling Clementine in my view has too many superfluous characters, woeful historical inaccuracies and a weak half-hearted town setting with only Victor Mature's great performance keeping it from being a complete dud.
Your taste is in your ass. Not one of these films are even close to my favorites or Ford's most endearing movies. Stagecoach, Fort Apache, the Quiet Man, Drums Along the Mohawk and They Were Expendable are much better even though many would disagree. They are, at least, the ones I would watch - repeatedly.
How is Grapes not number 1??!!!! Idk.... It's a perfect film. Even the many small part actors are memorable. Its like you're watching the actual depression
John Ford is my favorite director of all time. It's amazing how you chose 5 classic masterpieces, and yet Ford still has so many to his filmography as well, such as The Searchers, The Informer, Tobacco Road, Fort Apache, The Quiet Man, She Wore A Yellow Ribbon, They Were Expendable, The Last Hurrah, Sergeant Rutledge, etc. Speaks volumes about Ford's strength as a filmmaker.
Your list is a perfect set of Ford films, and hopefully will be the entry to more people discovering his works. Thanks for the tribute!
Yes indeed. Love "The Quiet man" for its sheer human warmth and delightful "Oirish" whimsy.
Nicely done. "Print the legend"--that line has stuck with me for a half-century. Thanks.
Good video, good choices. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance was underrated for many years.
A very worthwhile contribution to UA-cam - thanks. I will seek out "Young Mr Lincoln" again, having a
dim memory of seeing it many years ago. I am certainly a fan of the rest of this selection, in particular
"The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" -with its amazing cast that included the likes of Lee Van Cleef
before he became a big movie name himself.
I'm glad you label these as "personal favorites," since there can be no arguing with personal choices. My five favorite John Ford films are The Grapes of Wrath, How Green Was My Family, Stagecoach, The Informer, and The Long Voyage Home.
I agree with your choices but a Top 10 would be easier to compile.
When you cited How Green Was My Valley, l got a lump in my throat. I first saw that film when l was as old as Roddy McDowell was in the movie and it is indeed a wonderful, timeless film. Thank you for posting.
Same here. I watched with my father when I was a child. Maurine O' Hara was my first love.
good video and picks, my list (we share 2 picks):
5. The Informer
4. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
3. The Grapes of Wrath
2. Drums Along the Mohawk
and number 1
the searchers
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for creating this wonderful video. I love how it features many Ford films that are often relegated to the sidelines by some of his more celebrated works. I've always felt that "Valley" was subjected to unjust criticism because of its victory over "Kane"; as though the results from Hollywood's annual beauty contest should/would/could have any impact on the ongoing reputation of either film. "Valley" also has to have one of the most beautiful soundtracks of any film with the lovely, poignant singing of the Welsh miners. And "Clementine" simply glows with beauty and humanity and depth. The "To Be Or Not To Be" scene must surely rank as one of the most inspired renderings of Shakespeare on film. And who would have thought that Victor Mature, of all people, would give such an inspired reading of such a well-known text?
Well done. I've never done a list of Ford's films but I often have Liberty Valance on top when doing John Wayne's best. Oh My Darling also gets my nod as runner-up. And all B&W movies - great list.
Don't forger Lee Marvin !
"The Grapes of Wrath" is a religious experience to me. And there's "How Green was My Valley." And . . . ❤
I like that you talk about films that aren’t The Searches. I am sure almost all would put it on their lists.
Excellent video -- although I'm stunned that you would leave out "The Searchers." For me, that's not only one of the best movies John Ford ever made, but one of the best that *anyone* ever made. Of course, as you said, with Ford there are so many to choose from!
The Searchers is an absolute masterpiece, and yes it was hard to choose but these five are very special to me. Thanks for watching!
The Searchers is not even on the list? Incredible!
It's a personal list.
I have already written the DOJ and see if they can get involved. The Searchers should obviously be on this list. Criminal.
The searchers is awesome but the top 2 on this list I agree with
The Informer is a masterpiece.Stagecoach too(the famous chase scene alone is worth four stars) My Darling Clementine is a laid back gem of a movie
Nor should it be. The Searchers is long and boring as well as really dull.
Another great list with stellar analysis for a director that I personally would not have even attempted to summarize in just 5 films. He was a mountain. You did a great job. Love that the younger generations can appreciate moves many sadly dismiss as outdated. Today my younger collogues were talking about how songs got their names. And I mentioned that the Buddy Holly song 'That'll be the day' was from The Searchers. John Wayne's continual annoyance with Jeffrey Hunter saying the line repeatedly in a stern dismissive tone. Holly and the band watched the move and made a classic song. Of course nobody I was talking to, much younger than I, knew who Buddy Holly was or had even seen a John Wayne movie. Again, very refreshing to see others appreciate classic film. As a kid I wanted to watch My Darling Clementine because it was mentioned in a MASH episode and so began my fascination with John Ford.
Thank you so much, I appreciate it!
John Ford was the greatest man in film making of all time I grew up on those movies as I am 79 and I miss them very much they might be gone but John Ford will never be forgotten.
Great list! I've seen them all but never realized they were directed by Ford who I always associated with only John Wayne films
It's interesting to see a list of best JF movies that doesn't include "The Searchers". But we are in agreement on #1!
Agree with you on Lee Marvin's performance in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Amazing portrayal of a vicious outlaw.
Great list!!!
So for me, Stagecoach and The Searchers are the best Ford films. Especially because Wayne plays such different characters here. The young hotshot in one, the bitter outsider in the other. The Searchers is a film about America in transition.
Tarantino's Hatefull 8 is just a weak copy of Stagecoach. What Ford achieves in the first 30 minutes - precise characterisations of 10 people - QT (and I'm also a big fan of his films) doesn't manage in 2.5 hours. I also love Wayne's line "Hope I don't crowdin you folks none." when he gets into the carriage. I love the first 17 minutes or so of Searchers - it's just perfect film craftsmanship.
The Searchers is long and boring. I’ve waded through it at least three times. Total nonsense as to why people think it’s good. One of Ford’s best is The Quiet Man with one of John Wayne’s best performances. I wouldn’t have put The Man Who Shoot Liberty Valance on this list but I do agree that John Ford is one of the cinema’s greatest directors because of the many, many outstanding films he made. Some directors listed as ‘great’ usually only have a few films to their names. Other directors I would regard as ‘great’ because of their large body of work, in no special order are Billy Wilder, Alfred Hitchcock, Frank Capra and to a lesser extent Joseph L Mankiewicz. Chaplin has a huge body of work and some of his films are great but I don’t think he made enough great movies. Orson Welles made too few films to fit my definition of ‘greatness’
I agree that "My Darling Clementine" was a great movie, but not one scene was historically accurate. It was complete fiction from beginning to end. I still love it because it's simply one of the best western movies ever made.
Great list. Mine might be a little different because there are some more obscure films I absolutely love and rank very high.
What about “The Informer” This would be in my top 5.
All great selections but I will always rank Stagecoach as Ford’s true masterpiece.
1) Searchers. 2) Stagecoach. 3) TMWSLV. 4) Ft. Apache. 5) The Quiet Man.
Greatest film director of all time. Wayne, stewart and fonda plus a wonderful stock company
It's no accident that the very first AFI Lifetime Achievement Award went to John Ford in 1973. This list is solid, but my personal list would have found room for "The Quiet Man."
Long Voyage Home always overlooked.
I watched it a while ago and really enjoyed it, but I think I'm due for a rewatch!
And "the Sun Shines Bright" seems to have disappeared from everyone's list.
I like the quiet man, and she wore a yellow ribbon, and grapes or wrath, drums along the Mohawk.
Solid picks, I actually watched quiet man for the first time recently and really enjoyed it!
Liberty Valance is, by the way, the single best American film ever made.
Nope. Jaws. Jaws is the best. I will even testify to that in a court of law.
@@trhansen3244
We're gonna need a bigger court room.....for that testimony
Its good but not in the class of How Green Was my Valley, My Darling Clementine, The Informer or The Grapes of Wrath.
i love it , but when it comes to westerns -- its SHANE .
Agree with Grapes of Wrath
Good commentary, Would those westerns be considered in top ten westerns of all time? I doubt it.
I have every one of these great films . You need to mention the Searchers which is the best western ever made
I remain a fan of "The Searchers" for the way it grips from the start and never lets go....despite some
continuity "blips" along the way.
i liked all these and many more of ford's works although, in my opinion, he often took emotion to the gag level.
Great, Great films!
How Green Was My Valley was Alex Trebeck's favorite. It was also named Best Picture in 1941 beating out Citizen Kane. Like the whole scenario at the camp dance in Grapes.U left out Strother Martin, Lee van Cleef, Woody Strode in your description of LV. Vera Miles is still around.
All great but my personal list would start with The Quiet Man☘️
Switch out Clemetine for The Quiet Man and you got yourself a list :)
I am an attorney. If I could hope, as a defense attorney, to set up a prosecution witness at the last minute and win the case based upon the Farmer's Old Almanac, it would be to ask, "Why'd you lie?"
Yes, Ford had so many great movies that rating them is Almost impossible. I would put The Grapes of Wrath is #1. Great movie that reflected the life of many in the Great Depression era. I would put The Searchers as #2.
my best john ford
1; stagecoarch 2; How Green Was My Valley 3; THE SUN SHINES BRIGHT４;3 Bad Men ５;The Grapes of Wrath
６;My Darling Clementine７;STEAMBOAT 'ROUND THE BEND
Can't argue with this list, but. The searchers! Fort apache! Are you kidding! With great directors as well as actors, it's impossible to properly justify a top five, top ten yes.
Ford's biography was titled "Print the Legend"...
Darling Clementine, best western ever made .
I could live with this list if you put The Searchers at #1 and bumped the rest down one, chasing Young Mr Lincoln.
My Darling Clementine is terribly underrated.
TAKE OUT THE MOVIE " THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE" AN ADD IN " THE INFORMER" . TAKE OUT " MY DARLING CLEMENTINE" AN FILL IN WITH " THE SEARCHES. FORD WON THE BEST DIRECTORS AWARD FOR " THE INFORMER" AN VICTOR MCGALLEN WON THE BEST ACTORS AWARD FOR THIS SAME MOVIE. THK YOU. I RESPECT YR CHOICE TOO, BRO!
Seems to be a penchant for black and white films and the potential underlying starkness of “beautiful” shots that apparently cannot be so classic as the cinematography of Ford films such as She Wore A Yellow Ribbon (Academy Award), The Quiet Man, and The Searchers…..oh and the acting in them specifically by Wayne was dam good.
...one of my favorite libes is from Fort Apache.."Pour me some Some Scripture"...
Lincoln and Drums should not be on this list. Add The Searchers (what gorgeous color) and maybe the most beautiful color film, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. Fort Apache. is superb.....I could go on
I would replace ‘Young Mr. Lincoln’ and ‘My Darling Clementine’ with some of these, ‘The Searchers’(overrated, but still a epic), Sergeant Rutledge’ (underrated, Woody’s performance will rip your heart out), ‘Mr. Roberts’(as good if not better than Wilder).
Don't agree but one the Searchers the other top 4 They Were Expendable , The Quiet Man, Fort Apache, She Wore A Yellow Ribbon and Rio Grande.
I would just make one change. "The man who ....." by "The Searches"
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is the best movie ever made.
"Stagecoach", "My Darling Clementine", "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon", "The Searchers". Add your own choice to make five.
the quiet man?
First for me is 'The Searchers' but some of these films I've not seen.'
Where is The Searchers?
not a bad film here. Impossible to say "best" for me. Prefer "favorite" So in no order....The Searchers, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence, My Darling Clementine, Fort Apache and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, one of the 3 most beautiful color films I've ever seen. Yes I got 6....So sorry.
Forget film school... watch this video
Interesting he did not include two movies that Ford wan the best director Oscar: The informer (1935) and The Quiet Man (1952). However all the films are great.
as long as THE GRAPES OF WRATH is on that list, I'm happy
They Were Expendable must be on any such list.
Personally, I think that Wayne and Stewart were too old for their rolls in Liberty Valance, but it’s still a great movie.
Monument Valley was pretty much Ford's exclusive playground...
I agree with The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. I would have to put The Searchers as a very close 2nd.
The Searchers.
Fonda was a great actor, but he’s way too handsome to play Abe. He’s better as Tom Joad. Clementine, yes. Underrated. Searchers is Ford’s greatest and Wayne’s.
THREE GODFATHERS THREE PEOPLE CARRY THE WHOLE THING NUFF SAID!!
The Quiet Man
Where's The Searchers? Are you kidding?
“The Grapes of Wrath” is NOT “based off of” the novel by John Steinbeck! It is based “ON “ the novel! Didn’t you pass freshman English in high school?
Im about to watch this video but heres the top 5 from my head
1 - The Searchers
2 - The Grapes of Wrath
3 - The Quiet Man
4 - How Green Was My Valley and Stagecoach
5 - The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
E quel capolavoro di SENTIERI SELVAGGI ve lo siete dimenticati???
Most of these here are especially fine Ford films but I cannot put THE SEARCHERS on the same level which. I realize is a minority opinion. Wayne‘s performance here though may be his best in a Ford film but the movies racism & all too typically inane humor compromises it’s better moments such as an early revealing & beautifully understated scene between Wayne, Dorothy Jordan, & Ward Bond. A better Ford western, IMO, remains SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON.
I agree wholeheartedly with this list !!!!! I'm not a fan of The Searchers.
My personal favorites are They Were Expendable and The Searchers instead of Young Mr. Lincoln and My Darling Clementine. I think Abe Lincoln in Illinois is a much better in-depth film about Lincoln's pre-presidential life. My Darling Clementine in my view has too many superfluous characters, woeful historical inaccuracies and a weak half-hearted town setting with only Victor Mature's great performance keeping it from being a complete dud.
THE Searchers is the Laurence of Arabia American epic and Fords masterpiece.
Your taste is in your ass. Not one of these films are even close to my favorites or Ford's most endearing movies. Stagecoach, Fort Apache, the Quiet Man, Drums Along the Mohawk and They Were Expendable are much better even though many would disagree. They are, at least, the ones I would watch - repeatedly.
Everyone crying about the Searchers being left off... overrated lol
Opinions are like anal apatures everybody's got at least one.
I agree! It is very good but man o man…the “best” western? Not for me.
I don't think John Wayne is a great actor. I prefer Joel McCrea and Henry Fonda as the Great American Actors.
How is Grapes not number 1??!!!! Idk....
It's a perfect film. Even the many small part actors are memorable. Its like you're watching the actual depression