Four Sons is without question one of John Ford's best films, and should be better known. It is about a Bavarian woman named Mama Bernie, and her four sons. This is a God fearing woman who despite tragedy's always made life better for those around her. For example one of her son's named Joseph ( James Hall) wanted to take a job opportunity in America, she gave him the money she had hidden away, and would make "The best honey cakes in Bavaria" for the kids. All she ever wanted was grandkids. Spoilers ahead: Three of the kids join the German military and die, while Joseph joins the American military and for that reason people in her small town shun her, because they consider her the mother of a traitor. Joseph is the one who gets married and has a son, and while he is away fighting the war, his wife ( June Collier) makes their small business successful ( turning a deli into a restaurant). When he gets home, his son reminds him you forgot to bring grandma with you. So he sends her money to come. Of course, things do not work out perfectly because at Ellis Island you need to know the alphabet to enter the US, and she cannot read or write. She ends up in New York very lost. But a policeman comes up to her and because she only spoke German, has a German speaking policeman talk to her and bring her to Joseph's home. Earlier,Joseph and his wife went out to get her and left the sin home, but when they came back, they found her sleeping in his chair, cuddling her grandson. She was happy, because she finally got what she wanted. Again a great film and one of Ford's best. 10/10 stars.
Review of Four Sons
