Rent Ryan's Daughter (1970)

A lot of effort for little reward - Ryan's Daughter review by DC

I recently visited Dingle on the west coast of Ireland where this film was mainly shot so thought I would have another go at watching it all the way through (after a number of failed attempts in the past). It hasn't aged well. Yes, the scenery i.e all the stuff that's in the background, is absolutely stunning and brilliantly filmed - there's even a nod to the match scene in Lawrence of Arabia. As to the rest it's very turgid fare and miscast in a lot of roles - Robert Mitchum looks totally uncomfortable despite a reasonable Irish accent. There are no Irish actors at all as leads and the depiction of the locals is so stereotypical and at best insulting to Irish people. Trevor Howard (as a prototype Father Jack?) is good as the priest, however. Leo McKern is always reliable and I suppose John Mills should get some credit for his 'theatrical' performance of the village idiot. Sir David Lean was justifiably renowned as a visionary film director but he should have steered clear of sex scenes. Deary me! And, it's a long, long, long film! 3 hours, 24 mins the version I watched.

I think this film got some appalling reviews when it came out in 1970 and I'm afraid most are still merited. When you think of the absolute majesty of Lawrence of Arabia, Ryan's Daughter is a travesty. So, unless you're a film school student or just like the scenery on the west coast of Ireland and you can't get there to see it in person, then avoid, avoid, avoid!

More Irish Drivel - Ryan's Daughter review by AF

As an Irish woman living in England for over 40 years, I seem to remember that "Ryan's Daughter" was slated by public and critics alike when it first came out.

But having recently re-watched both Lawrence of Arabia and Dr Zhivago, and been reminded what a wonderful director and cinematographer David Lean was, I thought I'd give it a go. Well what a waste of time, and apart from lovely shots of a coast line I know well, (we had a cottage there) I could see no reason for Lean having wasted his talents on this drivel.

Did he want to give local employment ? which he certainly did, (I think he too had a property in the area ) and why no Irish leading actors. Fidelma Murphy, would have made a lovely "Rosy" and certainly no shortage of Irish actors to play Irish priests ! Given the challenge, Robert Mitchum didn't do a half bad attempt at the accent, but no, I can now see why I never saw it in the day.

Epic Historical Romance - Ryan's Daughter review by GI

A grand epic love story told amidst the tumultuous times of the Irish uprising and the First World War. Set in 1916 on the wild and windswept west coast of Ireland it's an example of how the big cinematic epics made in the 60s partially to compete with the popularity rise of TV were now falling out of favour with the viewing public. Director David Lean certainly has made a visually impressive film with strong intermixed themes of forbidden love, religious intolerance and tortured emotions along with historical reminders of the trauma of the trenches and the growing Irish resentment of English occupation. This is the story of Rose (Sarah Miles), a young woman who dreams of better things, she's passionate and wayward and foolishly feels that the the older local school teacher Charles (Robert Mitchum) is the man of her dreams. After they are wed she is quickly disappointed because Charles is steady, devoted but ultimately boring and fails to sexually satisfy her. Then the local Army garrison gets a new commander, the highly decorated but PTSD suffering Major Doryan (Christopher Jones). Rose and he begin an affair, a situation that affronts the strictly Catholic society and brings to the fore the division between the local IRA and the British Army. The narrative plays out over a long run time that does test the patience somewhat although the drama is well scripted and the performances, for the most part, are exceptional. Trevor Howard as the all seeing local priest with a strong streak of humanity is especially good here and should have been awarded for his performance. John Mills as the village idiot and totally speechless throughout did get an Oscar and arguably deservedly as his devotion to Rose, who loathes him, is subtly and well performed. Mitchum is an interesting casting choice too, possibly miscast although he is reported to have thought this his best role. He portrays the gentle and ordinary school teacher rather well I thought. Miles carries the film and is an interesting choice here. Sometimes she appears to be somewhat bland and others very impetuous it's an interesting mix and a performance that is probably just right for the role. Overall this is an epic story, a little laboured at times, and certainly not Lean's finest film by any stretch but he's an important film maker and consequently this is a film worth seeing.