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Women in the Films of John Ford
While John Ford (1894-1973) remains one of the most influential and revered directors in film history, he is also one of the most frequently misunderstood. One widespread assumption is that he was almost exclusively a man's director, dismissive of, or at best not well attuned to, the stories, perspectives and concerns of women.
This book forthrightly challenges such an assumption, giving readers a richer understanding of the director's view of the world and of the women as well as the men who inhabit it. Taking a fresh look at dozens of Ford films, both familiar favorites and under-appreciated gems, it focuses on the complex and diverse female characters in them as well as the actresses who so ably portrayed them.
This book forthrightly challenges such an assumption, giving readers a richer understanding of the director's view of the world and of the women as well as the men who inhabit it. Taking a fresh look at dozens of Ford films, both familiar favorites and under-appreciated gems, it focuses on the complex and diverse female characters in them as well as the actresses who so ably portrayed them.
204 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
June 27, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Women in the Films of John Ford is Wonderful!
July 18, 2014
David Meuel, like me, is a lifelong student of films, with a passion for the movies. Every line in his book demonstrates serious dedication to his topic. He has read numerous books on John Ford, spoken to their authors, taken film classes, and most of all, watched with both his heart and critical eye the films of John Ford mentioned in his book countless times.
Women in the Films of John Ford not only inspired me at its close to begin reading again cover to cover, the second time aloud to my husband, knowing that he, too, as a lover of classic films, fine writing, and talking to intelligent people would enjoy it, it made me want to visit for the first time John Ford films I had not seen and revisit all those I had. This is what all film books should do, both educate and inspire readers, but sadly fall short. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
~ClassicLiz of ClassicallySpeaking.
July 18, 2014
David Meuel, like me, is a lifelong student of films, with a passion for the movies. Every line in his book demonstrates serious dedication to his topic. He has read numerous books on John Ford, spoken to their authors, taken film classes, and most of all, watched with both his heart and critical eye the films of John Ford mentioned in his book countless times.
Women in the Films of John Ford not only inspired me at its close to begin reading again cover to cover, the second time aloud to my husband, knowing that he, too, as a lover of classic films, fine writing, and talking to intelligent people would enjoy it, it made me want to visit for the first time John Ford films I had not seen and revisit all those I had. This is what all film books should do, both educate and inspire readers, but sadly fall short. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
~ClassicLiz of ClassicallySpeaking.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review