Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

28 Noteworthy Quotes By John Ford

Famous As: One of the Most Important and Influential Filmmakers of His Generation
Born On: February 1, 1894
Died On: August 31, 1973
Born In: Cape Elizabeth, Maine, United States
Died At Age: 79
John Ford was an illustrious American film director renowned for his adaptations of classical 20th century American novels like ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ and also for Westerns, such as ‘The Searchers’, ‘The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance’ and ‘Stagecoach’. He also holds the feat of winning four ‘Academy Awards’ for best director which till date remains a record. In a career of more than five decades, he directed more than140 movies. He is considered as one of the most influential and important filmmakers of his time. In his films, he frequently used long shoots and location shooting. Here is a treasure trove of quotes and sayings by John Ford which have been corralled from his works, thoughts, populace utterances, movies, dialogues, interviews and life. Go through the quotes and thoughts by John Ford which are frequently quoted.
Revenge proves its own executioner.

Revenge proves its own executioner.

John Ford
Anybody can direct a picture once they know the fundamentals. Directing is not a mystery, it's not an art. The main thing about directing is: photograph the people's eyes.

Anybody can direct a picture once they know the fundamentals. Directing is not a mystery, it's not an art. The main thing about directing is: photograph the people's eyes.

John Ford
You can speak well if your tongue can deliver the message of your heart.

You can speak well if your tongue can deliver the message of your heart.

John Ford
I didn't show up at the ceremony to collect any of my first three Oscars. Once I went fishing, another time there was a war on, and on another occasion, I remember, I was suddenly taken drunk.

I didn't show up at the ceremony to collect any of my first three Oscars. Once I went fishing, another time there was a war on, and on another occasion, I remember, I was suddenly taken drunk.

John Ford
I like, as a director and a spectator, simple, direct, frank films. Nothing disgusts me more than snobbism, mannerism, technical gratuity... and, most of all, intellectualism.

I like, as a director and a spectator, simple, direct, frank films. Nothing disgusts me more than snobbism, mannerism, technical gratuity... and, most of all, intellectualism.

John Ford
I am... a mushroom; On whom the dew of heaven drops now and then.

I am... a mushroom; On whom the dew of heaven drops now and then.

John Ford
When in doubt, make a western.

When in doubt, make a western.

John Ford
Who better than an Irishman can understand the Indians, while still being stirred by tales of the US cavalry?

Who better than an Irishman can understand the Indians, while still being stirred by tales of the US cavalry?

John Ford
To be quite blunt, I make pictures for money, to pay the rent.There are some great artists in the business. I am not one of them.

To be quite blunt, I make pictures for money, to pay the rent.There are some great artists in the business. I am not one of them.

John Ford
Love is the tyrant of the heart; it darkens
Reason, confounds discretion; deaf to Counsel
It runs a headlong course to desperate madness.

Love is the tyrant of the heart; it darkens Reason, confounds discretion; deaf to Counsel It runs a headlong course to desperate madness.

John Ford
Tell us, pray, what devil This melancholy is, which can transform Men into monsters.

Tell us, pray, what devil This melancholy is, which can transform Men into monsters.

John Ford
A bachelor May thrive by observation on a little, A single life's no burthen: but to draw In yokes is chargeable, and will require A double maintenance.

A bachelor May thrive by observation on a little, A single life's no burthen: but to draw In yokes is chargeable, and will require A double maintenance.

John Ford
What is done, is done: Spend not the time in tears, but seek for justice.

What is done, is done: Spend not the time in tears, but seek for justice.

John Ford
Electronics is clearly the winner of the day.

Electronics is clearly the winner of the day.

John Ford
Diamonds cut diamonds.

Diamonds cut diamonds.

John Ford
I love making pictures but I don't like talking about them.

I love making pictures but I don't like talking about them.

John Ford
Physicians are the cobblers, rather the botchers, of men's bodies; as the one patches our tattered clothes, so the other solders our diseased flesh.

Physicians are the cobblers, rather the botchers, of men's bodies; as the one patches our tattered clothes, so the other solders our diseased flesh.

John Ford
Melancholy Is not, as you conceive, indisposition Of body, but the mind's disease.

Melancholy Is not, as you conceive, indisposition Of body, but the mind's disease.

John Ford
Truth is child of Time.

Truth is child of Time.

John Ford
Let them fear bondage who are slaves to fear; the sweetest freedom is an honest heart.

Let them fear bondage who are slaves to fear; the sweetest freedom is an honest heart.

John Ford
Busy opinion is an idle fool.

Busy opinion is an idle fool.

John Ford
Love is a tyrant, resisted.

Love is a tyrant, resisted.

John Ford
It is easier to get an actor to be a cowboy than to 
 get a cowboy to be an actor.

It is easier to get an actor to be a cowboy than to get a cowboy to be an actor.

John Ford
Revenge proves itself to be its own executioner.

Revenge proves itself to be its own executioner.

John Ford
They are the silent griefs which cut the heart-strings.

They are the silent griefs which cut the heart-strings.

John Ford
The main thing about directing is: photograph the people's eyes.

The main thing about directing is: photograph the people's eyes.

John Ford
Alas, poor gentleman,
He look’d not like the ruins of his youth
But like the ruins of those ruins.

Alas, poor gentleman, He look’d not like the ruins of his youth But like the ruins of those ruins.

John Ford
I am a mushroom 
On whom the dew of heaven drops now and then.

I am a mushroom On whom the dew of heaven drops now and then.

John Ford