John Ford
DirectingAbout John Ford
John Ford (February 1, 1894 – August 31, 1973) was an American film director. He was famous for both his westerns such as Stagecoach (1939), The Searchers (1956), and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), and adaptations of such classic 20th-century American novels as The Grapes of Wrath (1940). His four Academy Awards for Best Director (1935, 1940, 1941, 1952) is a record, and one of those films, How Green Was My Valley (1941), also won Best Picture. In a career that spanned more than 50 years, Ford directed more than 140 films (although nearly all of his silent films are now lost) and he is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers of his generation. Ford's films and personality were held in high regard by his colleagues, with Ingmar Bergman and Orson Welles among those who have named him as one of the greatest directors of all time. In particular, Ford was a pioneer of location shooting and the long shot which frames his characters against a vast, harsh and rugged natural terrain.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of John Ford reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 36 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Documentary
The majority of John Ford's filmography leans towards the Documentary genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 19% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), John Ford remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Five Came Back, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best John Ford Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from John Ford's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of John Ford.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Filmmakers for the Prosecution | Self - Filmmaker (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2019 | John Ford: The Man Who Invented America | Self - Filmmaker (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2017 | Five Came Back | Self (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2015 | Spanish Western | Self (archive footage) | Average | Similar → |
| 2013 | John Ford & Monument Valley | Self (archive footage) | Flop | Similar → |
| 2009 | 1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year | Self (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2009 | The Size of Legends, The Soul of Myth | Self (archive footage) | Flop | Similar → |
| 2006 | Monument Valley: John Ford Country | Self (voice) (archive footage) | Flop | Similar → |
| 2006 | Serenity at Sea: John Ford and the Araner | Himself (archive footage) | Flop | Similar → |
| 2000 | Shooting War | himself | Average | Similar → |
| 2000 | Backstory: 'How Green Was My Valley' | Self (archive footage) | Flop | Similar → |
| 2000 | John Wayne-A Life on Film | Self (archive footage) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1999 | National Geographic Explorer: The Battle For Midway | Himself - Filmmaker (archive footage) (unaccredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1992 | Omnibus: John Ford, Part One | Self (archive footage) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1992 | John Wayne's 'The Alamo' | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1992 | Fonda on Fonda | Self (archive footage) | Average | Similar → |
| 1989 | John Ford's America | Himself (Archive Footage) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1971 | The American West of John Ford | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1971 | Directed by John Ford | Self (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1970 | My Name Is John Ford, I Make Westerns | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1959 | The Horse Soldiers | Ned (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1958 | The Western: A Lost TV Special | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 1952 | Ton Diagonismon Dia Thn Anadixin Tis Star Ellas | Himself (Grand Ball Attendee) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1951 | The Screen Director | Self (staged 'archive' footage) (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Show-Business at War | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Undercover: How to Operate Behind Enemy Lines | J.P. Baldwin | Average | Similar → |
| 1929 | Big Time | John Ford (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1917 | The Scrapper | Buck, the scrapper | Flop | Similar → |
| 1917 | The Trail of Hate | Lt. Jack Brewer | Average | Similar → |
| 1917 | The Tornado | Jack Dayton (as Jack Ford) | Average | Similar → |
| 1916 | The Purple Mask | (unconfirmed) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1916 | The Bandit's Wager | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1915 | The Broken Coin | Sacchio's Accomplice (as Jack Ford) | Average | Similar → |
| 1915 | The Birth of a Nation | Klansman (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1914 | A Study in Scarlet | John H. Watson, M.D. | Average | Similar → |
| 1914 | Lucille Love: The Girl of Mystery | - | Average | Similar → |
John Ford - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of John Ford?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring John Ford is "Five Came Back" with a rating of 7.9/10.
How many movies has John Ford acted in?
John Ford has been featured in at least 36 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by John Ford?
Other notable films include "1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year", "Show-Business at War", and "The Horse Soldiers".