In a directing career that spanned half a century, John Ford’s filmography includes at least a dozen film classics that are considered master works. Most lovers of Hollywood’s golden age know “Stagecoach,” “Grapes of Wrath” and “How Green Was My Valleyx;” they’ve likely seen “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon,” “The Quiet Man,” “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence” and “The Searchers.”
But there’s one worthy John Ford film, not available on DVD or streaming services, that remains mostly obscure. “Seven Women” (1966) is the only one of Ford’s 145 films without a strong central male protagonist, and one of only a few that takes place outside of the United States. It’s a film included on both “Most Unappreciated Motion Pictures” and “Most Important American Film” lists. Yet it was such a commercial failure that four-time Academy Award winner John Ford was never able to get studio backing for another project.
Although it takes place in China, “Seven Women” fits loosely into the category of “Western.” The action of the film occurs inside a fortress. Unlike the standard situation with a well-stocked cavalry, this film’s characters have no way to defend themselves other than prayer — and a fair amount of guile. The principal conflicts are every bit as much between the besieged women as they are from invading forces, leading to the film’s complex resolution. There’s much to discuss here!
Please join us at the Easton Public LIbrary on Wednesday, May 22 at 7 p.m., as we share John Ford’s last feature, the haunting feminist masterpiece, “Seven Women.”
