If you’re hunting for a blockbuster with high-octane explosions or a modern psychological thriller, you’re looking in the wrong place. Honestly, The Rising of the Moon movie is something else entirely. It’s a 1957 anthology film directed by the legendary John Ford, and it feels less like a polished Hollywood production and more like a warm, slightly tipsy conversation in a Dublin pub.
It’s Irish. Deeply Irish.
John Ford is usually the guy we associate with sweeping Westerns and John Wayne staring intensely into the horizon of Monument Valley. But this film was a passion project. He went back to his roots, filming the whole thing on location in Ireland, using actors from the Abbey Theatre. There are no massive American stars here. No glitz. Just three short stories introduced by Tyrone Power, who basically stands around in a trench coat looking handsome and setting the stage.
What Actually Happens in The Rising of the Moon Movie?
The film is split into three distinct segments, based on Irish literature. It’s an anthology, which usually means one part is great and the others are "meh," but Ford manages to keep a consistent vibe throughout.
First, you’ve got "The Majesty of the Law." It’s based on a story by Frank O'Connor. It’s simple. A police inspector has to arrest an old man for assault. But because it’s Ireland, they don't just do the arrest and leave. They sit. They drink. They talk about the philosophy of law and honor. It’s slow, but it’s remarkably human. You see the internal conflict of a man doing his job while respecting a neighbor’s dignity.
Then comes "A Minute’s Wait." This one is pure comedy. It’s based on a play by Martin J. McHugh. Imagine a train station where nothing happens on time. A train pulls in for a one-minute stop and stays for... well, forever. Passengers get off, lobsters are traded, weddings are discussed, and the bureaucracy of the railroad is mocked relentlessly. It’s chaotic and funny in a way that feels very specific to the era.
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The final segment, which gives the film its title, is "The Rising of the Moon." This is the heavy hitter. Based on the play by Lady Gregory, it’s set during the "Troubles"—the fight for Irish independence. It follows a political prisoner who escapes and the police officer who has to decide whether to catch him or let him go. This is where Ford’s obsession with duty versus conscience really shines.
Why Critics at the Time Were Confused
When this movie came out, it didn't set the box office on fire. People wanted another The Quiet Man. They wanted Technicolor meadows and John Wayne punching people. Instead, they got a black-and-white, grainy, experimental-feeling anthology.
Critics didn't know what to make of it. Some called it "stagey." And yeah, it is. It’s literally based on plays. But that’s the point. Ford wasn't trying to reinvent cinematography here; he was trying to preserve a specific type of Irish storytelling. He used the Abbey Players—Cyril Cusack, Noel Purcell, Jack MacGowran—who were the backbone of Irish theater.
If you watch it today, you'll notice the pacing is... weird. It’s not "modern fast." It’s "1950s slow." But there’s a charm in that. You get to see Ireland before it became a tech hub or a backdrop for Star Wars. You see the mud, the wool coats, and the genuine faces of people who lived through a very different time.
The Cultural Weight of the Final Act
The third act, The Rising of the Moon movie's namesake, is the reason this film is studied in film schools. It’s about the myth of the Irish rebel.
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The song "The Rising of the Moon" is a real folk ballad from the 1860s. It refers to the 1798 Rebellion. By using this as the climax, Ford was tapping into a deep well of national identity. It’s not just a movie; it’s a tribute to the revolutionary spirit. The fog-drenched docks and the shadows of the RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary) officers create a noir atmosphere that feels way more intense than the comedic middle section.
It’s also surprisingly nuanced. The policeman isn't a villain. He’s a guy with a job and a family, caught between his paycheck and his heritage. That’s a very "Fordian" theme—the tension between the institution you serve and the person you actually are.
Technical Details and Where to Find It
For the cinephiles out there, the technical specs of The Rising of the Moon are worth a look. It was produced by Four Provinces Productions, a company Ford helped set up to boost the Irish film industry.
- Director: John Ford
- Cinematographer: Lawrence Edward Williams (The B&W looks incredibly crisp on recent restorations)
- Narrator: Tyrone Power
- Release Date: August 1957 (Ireland/UK), 1958 (USA)
- Runtime: 81 minutes (short and sweet)
Finding it today can be a bit of a hunt. It pops up on TCM (Turner Classic Movies) occasionally. There have been DVD releases, but if you can find a remastered digital version, grab it. The shadows in the final segment are stunning when they aren't compressed into a blurry mess.
Common Misconceptions About the Film
One big mistake people make is thinking this is a sequel or a companion to The Quiet Man. It’s not. The Quiet Man is a Hollywood dream of Ireland. The Rising of the Moon movie is a much more grounded, gritty, and theatrical look at the country. It doesn't care about being "pretty." It cares about being "right."
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Another thing: people often forget it's an anthology. They go in expecting one continuous plot and get confused when the first story ends at the 25-minute mark. You have to treat it like a book of short stories. Each one has its own flavor.
What You Can Learn from John Ford’s "Failure"
At the time, many considered this a minor work. A "doodle" in the margins of a great career. But looking back, it shows a master director working without the pressure of a massive studio budget. He was filming what he loved.
There’s a lesson there for creators. Not everything you do has to be a "Searchers-level" epic. Sometimes, the small, personal projects—the ones that capture a specific culture or a specific feeling—are the ones that age the best because they are the most honest.
Actionable Steps for Film Buffs
If you’re ready to dive into this era of cinema, don’t just stop at the credits. Here is how to actually appreciate what you’re seeing:
- Listen to the original folk song. Search for "The Rising of the Moon" (The Clancy Brothers have a great version). Understanding the lyrics makes the final segment of the movie hit ten times harder.
- Compare it to The Quiet Man. Watch them back-to-back. Notice how Ford uses the camera differently when he's not trying to sell a romanticized version of Ireland to Americans.
- Look up the Abbey Theatre. Many of the actors in this film were legends of the stage. Understanding their background explains why the performances feel so deliberate and "theatrical."
- Check out Frank O'Connor’s short stories. If you liked the first segment, read his work. He’s one of the masters of the short story form, and the movie does his prose justice.
The movie isn't perfect. Some of the humor in the middle section feels dated, and the pacing might test your patience if you're used to TikTok-speed editing. But as a piece of cultural history and a glimpse into the heart of one of cinema’s greatest directors, it’s essential viewing.