Ryan's Daughter 4K 1970

The runtime of this film might scare some people off. But it’s definitely worth watching.

David Lean delivers a master class in directing family dramas. So: the year is 1916. Britain is actively involved in World War I, while in Ireland, all is quiet. Or is it really quiet? The British protectorate clearly irritates the local population, who quietly sympathize with the Germans.

The story unfolds around the marriage of Rosie Ryan, a simple girl, and Shonessy, a rural schoolteacher. He is significantly older than her, and she treats him with due respect. But soon, she begins to realize that things aren’t going as they should. Deep down, she feels no joy.

Soon, a young English soldier, a war hero, arrives in town. He takes up the post of British representative in the town. Rosie and he find each other quite quickly, and a passionate romance begins. Well, there are no secrets in a small town. Her husband finds out about everything.

Meanwhile, the wheels of intrigue turn ever faster.

This is a film about a very simple and commonplace situation, but Lin’s directorial talent ensures that the film is interesting and memorable. Lin is by no means moralizing—as the film’s ending makes clear—yet he strives to view the situation from the perspective of all parties involved in the love triangle, as well as from the viewpoint of those around them.

The actors deserve special mention. Everyone gave a strong performance—which is a rare occurrence. Sarah Miles is simply superb—sensual, precise, and reckless.

Trevor Howard, playing the priest, creates a very nuanced character. He’s sharp and gruff, yet at the same time intelligent, sensitive, and capable of standing up for his principles. Such a role certainly deserved an Oscar.

Robert Mitchum also gave a remarkable performance. He usually played heroes. His unflappable gaze and gait became a cinematic trademark. But in “Ryan's Daughter,” everything is different. Mitchum appears as an ordinary man: doubting, anxious, jealous, and suffering.

The bottom line: a simply wonderful film in which David Lean beautifully recreates the atmosphere of an early 20th-century Irish village. The story centers on a rural schoolteacher’s wife’s affair with a British soldier and the consequences of her actions. Despite its considerable runtime, the film is a very easy watch.