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Ryan's Daughter

Play trailer Poster for Ryan's Daughter R Released Nov 9, 1970 3h 26m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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47% Tomatometer 17 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
A teacher's (Robert Mitchum) wife (Sarah Miles) has an affair with a British soldier (Christopher Jones) in 1916 Northern Ireland.
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Ryan's Daughter

Critics Reviews

View All (17) Critics Reviews
Kevin Maher Times (UK) A weary Madame Bovary rehash set in rural Ireland. Rated: 1/5 Jul 14, 2017 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Overlength of perhaps 30 minutes serves to magnify some weaknesses of Robert Bolt's original screenplay, to dissipate the impact of the performances, and to overwhelm outstanding photography and production. Nov 6, 2007 Full Review Tom Milne Time Out An awe-inspiringly tedious lump of soggy romanticism. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Debbie Brown Baltimore Afro-American David Lean does come through for movie-goers in the second half which is filled with drama and good acting which lead to an almost perfect climax. Sep 23, 2020 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Arguably David Lean's weakest film, this lushly photographed (it won Oscar for Freddie Young) period Irish romance is rambling and pointless, and feels like an occasion for Sarah Miles (then married to writer Bolt) to show off her beautiful body. Rated: C Mar 22, 2008 Full Review TV Guide The best thing about this much-vaunted, overlong Irish epic love triangle is its gorgeous photography. Rated: 2.5/4 Nov 6, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (186) audience reviews
Helen M Snuck into this when I was 14 and I swore that if their wedding night was what sex was all about, then I was never going there! Loved this film. The scenery was magnificent and I think some critics are missing the point. The film highlights what was going on at the time in Ireland. Some of the dialogue may be a bit naff but all in all, I really enjoyed it and i think John Mills played the village idiot perfectly.... for the times that were in it. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/17/24 Full Review Colin M Village life on the Irish coast in 1916 as experienced by a publican's daughter who becomes amorously involved with the local schoolmaster. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/04/24 Full Review Alec B Yes, its definitely the weakest of Lean's epics but I don't think its worthy of outlandish scorn. The weak elements of the film (Mills' performance, the bloated running time) hurt but don't really undo the entire production. The film is still beautifully photographed and the Irish setting for a loose adaption of Madame Bovary works really well. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/10/23 Full Review Shirley S One of my all time favourite films. It is interesting to see so many comments that it is over long and I can't help but wonder if that is a reflection of the modern need for fast action and instant gratification. I never found it too long, it being so full of social commentary and the frailties and follies of people that result in cruelty and heartbreak. When I first saw it, not long after it came out, I was horrified that the great Sir John Mills played the village idiot - then I realised it was the most difficult part to play - and of course, it is visually stunning. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/06/23 Full Review Paul S Amazing cinematography, perfect soundtrack . Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/08/23 Full Review Liam D It's Oscar wins are definitely well deserved but the movie feels shallow Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 11/22/22 Full Review Read all reviews
Ryan's Daughter

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Cast & Crew

Breathless 63% 49% Breathless Watchlist The Arrangement 15% 64% The Arrangement Watchlist Zabriskie Point 64% 74% Zabriskie Point Watchlist Drive, He Said 57% 21% Drive, He Said Watchlist Age of Consent 100% 48% Age of Consent Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis A teacher's (Robert Mitchum) wife (Sarah Miles) has an affair with a British soldier (Christopher Jones) in 1916 Northern Ireland.
Director
David Lean
Producer
Anthony Havelock-Allan
Screenwriter
Robert Bolt
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 9, 1970, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 21, 2016
Runtime
3h 26m
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