John Wayne John Ford DVD Film Collection (+ documentary: Directed by John Ford)

"When people say a John Wayne picture got bad reviews, I always wonder if they know it's a redundant sentence, but hell, I don't care.
People like my pictures and that's all that counts."

John Wayne John Ford Film Collection
On September 15, Warner Home Video released a collector's DVD Box Set featuring six classic John Wayne films along with the excellent 1971 documentary, Directed by John Ford (produced by Peter Bogdanovich, with narration by Orson Welles).

The 8-disc set has a suggested retail price of $59.92, and includes bonus features (see details below). The documentary disc (first time ever on DVD) is included in the set, or can be purchased separately ($19.97).

Trivia: John Wayne olds the record for the actor with the most leading parts - 142. In all but 11 films he played the leading part.

Marion Mitchell Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), born Marion Robert Morrison, better known by his stage name JOHN WAYNE, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and has become an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive voice, walk and height.

A Harris Poll released January 2009 placed Wayne third among America's favorite film stars, the only deceased star on the list and the only one who has appeared on the poll every year since it first began in 1994. In 1999, the American Film Institute named Wayne 13th among the Greatest Male Stars of All Time.

Wayne rose beyond the typical recognition for a famous actor to that of an enduring icon who symbolized and communicated American values and ideals. By the middle of his career, Wayne had developed a larger-than-life image, and as his career progressed, he selected roles that would not compromise his off-screen image. By the time of his last film The Shootist (1976), Wayne refused to allow his character to shoot a man in the back as was originally scripted, saying "I've made over 250 pictures and have never shot a guy in the back. Change it."

"I never had a goddamn artistic problem in my life, never, and I've worked with the best of them. John Ford isn't exactly a bum, is he? Yet he never gave me any manure about art. He just made movies and that's what I do."

Details + BONUS FEATURES:
Presented on eight discs
The Searchers
• New Featurette The Searchers: An Appreciation
A Turning of the Earth: John Ford, John Wayne and The Searchers, 1998 Documentary Narrated by John Milius
• Introduction by John Wayne's Son and The Searchers Co-Star Patrick Wayne
• Commentary by Director/John Ford Biographer Peter Bogdanovich
• Vintage Behind the Cameras Segments from the Warner Bros. Presents TV Series
• Theatrical Trailer
• Reproduction of the 1956 Dell Comic Book
• Reproduction of the Original 1956 Warner Bros. Press Book
• Reproduction of Filmmaker Memos and Correspondence
• Behind-the-Scenes Photos
The Wings of Eagles
• Theatrical Trailer
Fort Apache
• New Featurette Monument Valley: John Ford Country
• Theatrical Trailer
3 Godfathers
• Theatrical Trailer
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon
• John Ford Home Movies
Theatrical Trailer
They Were Expendable
• Theatrical Trailer

"Westerns are closer to art than anything else in the motion picture business."

JOHN WAYNE — Explore further:
—> Vist the Official JOHN WAYNE website »
—> Director JOHN FORD (Wikipedia) »

"I want to play a real man in all my films, and I define manhood simply: men should be tough, fair, and courageous, never petty, never looking for a fight, but never backing down from one either."

Film Synopsis:
7-Pack Collection Includes:
THE SEARCHERS 2-DISC SPECIAL EDITION -
John Wayne's favorite role. And, many say, Ford's best film. "About as good as Hollywood filmmaking gets… a true American masterpiece" (The Movie Guide).

THE WINGS OF EAGLES - A compassionate biopic salute: aviation pioneer "Spig" Wead (Wayne) overcomes tragedy to forge a Hollywood career. Maureen O'Hara co-stars.

FORT APACHE - They're duty bound to obey. But Wayne and other cavalrymen are at odds with the orders of ramrod commander Henry Fonda. Shirley Temple co-stars.

3 GODFATHERS - The tale of the Magi: Western style. Fugitive bank robbers won't abandon the infant entrusted to them, even though caring for him dims their chances of escape.

SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON - Another Ford masterpiece of mood and heroics. An aging officer (Wayne) who knows the agony of war seeks to make his last mission one of peace. Academy Award (1949): Best Color Cinematography.

THEY WERE EXPENDABLE - Wayne and Robert Montgomery are PT-boat skippers in "one of the finest (and most underrated) of all World War II films" (Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide).

Bonus Documentary Disc (first time on DVD):
DIRECTED BY JOHN FORD - Peter Bogdanovich's groundbreaking tribute to the filmmaker, restored and reedited to include more classic clips and insightful anecdotes from Clint Eastwood, Katharine Hepburn, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg and more contemporary cinema giants.

In 1971 Peter Bogdanovich made a fascinating documentary about legendary John Ford in which Henry Fonda, James Stewart and John Wayne revealed firsthand tales about the man often cited as America's greatest, most influential filmmaker. Thirty-five years later there were more stories to tell – by, among others, Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg and Katharine Hepburn. Bogdanovich wove these new interviews into a reedited, restructured documentary offering a more personal vision of the man and his work. Packed with clips, anecdotes and insights, DIRECTED BY JOHN FORD is a treasure for buffs, for new classics fans, for rising filmmakers who in another 35 years will want to share how Ford's work impacts their own.

Narrated by Orson Welles.

"I don't think John Ford had any kind of respect for me as an actor until I made 'Red River' (1948) for Howard Hawks. I was never quite sure what he did think of me as an actor. I know now, though. Because when I finally won an Oscar for my role as Rooster Cogburn in 'True Grit' (1969), Ford shook my hand and said the award was long overdue me as far as he was concerned. Right then, I knew he'd respected me as an actor since 'Stagecoach' (1939), even though he hadn't let me know it. He later told me his praise earlier, might have gone to my head and made me conceited, and that was why he'd never said anything to me, until the right time.

I play John Wayne in every picture regardless of the character, and I've been doing all right, haven't I?

Talk low, talk slow and don't talk too much."