Intro.
I'm a sucker for films shot entirely on location. Films, after all, are all about transporting the viewers into another world, and what better way to do that than with rich, beautiful, true scenery. Ryan's Daughter is an epic shot entirely on location in Ireland, so I was sold. Add in a few Oscars, a love story with Robert Mitchum, and an intriguing plot set around the WWI Irish revolution, and you've got a must see film. Overview
A huge, sweeping epic, Ryan's Daughter begins in a small town in Northern Ireland, where the barkeeper's young daughter Rosy Ryan (Sarah Miles) falls in love with the middle-aged, widowed schoolteacher Charles Schaughnessy (Robert Mitchum). Despite his hesitation and their age difference, they marry and settle into a quiet, peaceful life. But Rosy wants more than that. As if in answer to her prayers, a young British soldier nursing an injured leg and the pains of PTSD, Randolph Doryan (Christopher Jones), arrives at her father's pub. He's been told that there's an informant in town - someone who is helping the Irish rebellion led by Tim O'Leary, but also helping the British. That person has a tie with the pub, but no one is certain who it is. The chemistry between Rosy and Randolph is instant and obvious, so it is no surprise that they begin a sizzling love affair. The two story lines (the love affair and the revolution) are intricately tied together. The town's mute, Michael, reveals the affair. Then Tim O'Leary comes to the village, only to be captured by the British troops, led by Doryan. The town concludes that Rosy was the informant and attack her in her home. Even though Charles has already resolved to have a quiet divorce, he fights back against the mob to protect Rosy. He can only do so much though, and the film ends with Rosy and Doryan each dealing (or not dealing) with what they've done. Highlights
The true highlight of this film is the cinematography. Not only is the beauty of the Irish countryside on full display, but the treatment of the shots and slow moving pace help develop a rich, gorgeous setting. I felt like I was watching poetry. The opening shots of the cliffs and Michael rowing in from the sea are just breathtakingly beautiful. Later the shots of Charles and Rosy meeting on the beach and then Rosy and Doryan meeting in the forest are all just as well done. A word on the rating - this film was rated MA on TCM. There were all of 2 sex scenes and they were nothing compared to some of the scenes in the R-rated comedies today. I'm usually against showing sex in films since it's usually unnecessary, but I think Ryan's Daughter handles it well. It is necessary to see Rosy's first disappointment with Charles on their wedding night because it feeds into her desire for Doryan, who can, in her words, make her feel like a new person.
This film is definitely one of the forgotten, yet still beautifully tragic epic films. There are so many elements that work well. It's funny, as I watched, I thought "this is like Dr. Zhivago without the snow" and after the film finished, TCM host Robert Osborne returned and commented that the director for Ryan's Daughter, David Lean, had also done Dr. Zhivago as well as The Bridge on the River Kwai. It has the same feeling and scope of both those films. The acting is great too - John Mills certainly earned his Oscar for his role as Michael, and I'd argue that Robert Mitchum and Trevor Howard were both just as good.
Review and Recommendation
Overall, I'd say Ryan's Daughter is the kind of film you watch just for the sheer beauty of it. All the elements work together to make a seamless picture. Although it runs pretty long (over three hours) and can be a bit slow at parts, the cinematography, fine acting and great score will keep you fascinated.
