This is actually a great film, one of Ford's most unique and fascinating pictures. It's also his last completed feature film, and he even said that he thought it was one of his best. I have seen it several times, and I really like it quite a bit. It should be on DVD.
shareI completely agree with you that it should be made available on DVD. I unfortnately have never had the chance to see it but am hoping endlessly that it will be available some day.
I am a big fan of Margaret Leighton and I hear that she gave one of her most remarkable performances as Agatha Andrews. Also, John Ford said it was one of his favourites so I'm very suprised it has not yet been released.
Please, please, please bring 7 Women out on DVD!!!!!
It was actually released on laserdisc, but never VHS, which was really strange. Luckily, I had a laserdisc player (that has since crapped out on me), so that's how I got to see it. It's a very good film. Ford did say he liked it very much, even calling it one of his best. I don't know if I would say it was one of his best, but it's very good and one of his best films from his late period.
It should be on DVD!
I still want to see it, I have read the reviews which are mixed but it still remains an important film, especially concerning Margaret Leighton's performance.
Since reading Vito Russo's fabulous book, The Celluloid Closet, I have been desperate to see all the films he listed during his analysis. 7 Women does indeed come in for interesting analysis with Leighton's complex performance but I would still like to see it for myself and judge accordingly.
There is a definite undercurrent of lesbianism between Margaret Leighton's character and Sue Lyon's, and it's deliberate. Some might think Ford was too conservative to show stuff like that, but he wasn't. The way Ford frames some shots are really effective, and really show Leighton's character's attraction to Lyon.
I have read many film theorists analysis concerning Agatha Andrews sexuality but all suggest that the tone is negative and her sexuality in the film is perceived as perverse.
This however contradicts what Ford said. He stated that he directed Leighton in a positive light and later declared that Leighton's portrayal also elevated her character and created depth and emotion.
This is why I want to see the film, because, if anything, the film seems very progressive which also elevates Ford as a director who had his pulse on social change. Many have said he was conservative but I have always found his work dense and complex which much more emphasis focused in individuality over conformity.
His work as a whole is much more complex and ambiguous than critics generally say. They like to lump him into a box of "conservative, working class, regular folks Americana", but he's much, much deeper than that.
In 'John Ford and His Films', Tag Gallagher says how seriously Ford took '7 Women', especially the visual aspects, while in other Ford bios, which are good books, they nevertheless dismiss '7 Woman' as a burnout film by an exhausted director. They probably haven't seen it. I've never seen it either, but Gallagher got a personal letter from Ford saying how much he appreciated a fan noticing the subtleties and craft of '7 Women'. All this only adds to the intrigue of this unexpected film from a master.
shareI've read (and own) Tag Gallagher's book, and Gallagher absolutely adored 7 Women (analyzing the film for nearly 16 pages). Ford thought it was one of his best.
Jonathan Rosenbaum of the Chicago Reader thought the film was a masterpiece as well. Here's his mini review...
A commercial disaster when it came out in 1966, generally relegated to the lower half of double bills and dismissed by most critics, John Ford's magnificent last feature is surely one of his greatest--not merely for its unsentimental distillation of Fordian themes, but for the telegraphic urgency and passion of its style, which is aided rather then handicapped by the stripped-down studio sets. Set in 1935, the film effectively transposes the gender and settings of many of his classic westerns to the apocalyptic last days of a female missionary outpost in China, which is about to be invaded by Mongolian warriors (including Mike Mazurki and Woody Strode). Anne Bancroft stars as an atheistic but humanist doctor who turns up at the mission, immediately challenging its sense of propriety with her lack of inhibitions and acerbic manner.
Slant magazine listed 7 Women in their list of 100 Essential Films. This however is the only significant inclusion into a film list compendium. When ever I get any books related to directors and essential film guides I always check to see if 7 Women is listed but more often then not it is absent. This could be down to its limited distribution.
It does seem to have so many undercurrents, themes, complex characterisations and social politics at its heart so I'm surprised it is not avaialble and more well known.
All critics like to label directors into categories, it makes their job easy. The simple fact however is that Ford was an extremely complicated and complex individual and his films have to bear significant viewing before you can even get a glimpse and a feel of the man behind the camera.
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I check every once in awhile (which is what I was doing now) to see if this movie is on DVD.
Hopefully, someone will put it out soon, maybe Warner Archive.
It is considered one of his weakest. There is a reason that Hepburn wanted no part of it.
shareNobody links him like that. WHERE do you get this stuff?
shareI saw the movie yesterday for the very first time in my life, and I totally loved every single minute of it. The cast is absolutely wonderful; how nice to see so many magnificent actresses involved! Everyone did a wonderful job, and it really surprises me it hasn't been released on DVD yet. I'd love to own it.
Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop
In case you're still interested, I purchased a Region 0 DVD.
http://www.amazon.com/7-Women-Anne-Bancroft/dp/B00AHNT4VG/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1437317870&sr=1-1&keywords=7+women
I must warn you: for its high price, the picture quality leaves much to be desired. I'd only recommend it for those who really want to own the movie on DVD no matter what. It's watchable, yes, but not as clear as one would expect.
Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop
He did not think that it was one of his best films.
share