MovieChat Forums > The Long Voyage Home (1940) Discussion > I don't understand-why isn't this consid...

I don't understand-why isn't this considered a 'classic'?

posted 10 years ago by ZachRomero
3 replies | jump to latest

Just watched it. I adore many Ford Wayne films. Stagecoach and The Searchers are on constant replay along with Man Who Shot Liberty Valence; all of these are considered masterpiece classics. I contend that The Long Voyage Home is just as much a classic as any of the above mentioned westerns. Could it be that the genre doesn't hold true to today's accessibility? I see just as sophisticated (and often more sophisticated) camerawork in this film when compared to the again earlier mentioned. The acting is gangbusters; I'd contend that actor after actor after actor give fine, award worthy performances. And the Nichols adaptation of Oneils work allows both writers to shine. The editing is as modern as anything today and sometimes more experimental. In short, I found the film as moving and powerful as any award season film of the present.

[–] PussyCrusher_Principal 10 years ago

I just caught this great film for the first time - and I agree it should be considered a classic...and I think it is, among a dedicated few, judging from these boards...but as for it not being known by the general public, this is just a guess, but judging by the time it was released, There are at least three other Ford classics released within a year or 3 either way (Grapes of Wrath, How Green Was My Valley, Stagecoach) which, I think, tend to overshadow TLVH, probably even moreso as time marches on.

If I can read between the lines of your post, if you think this film's profile might be enhanced by more frequent showings on, say, TCM, I wouldn't disagree. Anyway, I'm happy it's been shown recently - not sure what Oscars TLVH was up for, but 30 Days of Oscar is the best time of year for TCM (which is always great). I don't take the Oscars as any kind of word on great film, but what's nice is we get showings of films that were just nominated. Again, I say that not knowing if TLVH did actually win anything.

"It is hard to be a man of peace. It would be so pleasant to kill Mr. Weddle." - Massai, 'Apache'

[–] giverny98 10 years ago

There sure is no such thing as a bad John Ford movie. It lost to Rebecca for best film, but so did The Grapes of Wrath and The Philadelphia story, among others.

[–] ben-thayer 9 years ago

My thought is that it just isn't that well know in relation to other Ford films.

I thought I was familiar with most of his work until I saw it for the first time on TCM last evening. I had never heard of it and was somewhat surprised.

I haven't been able to get it out of my head today, and for me that's the sign of a great picture.