The River

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The River (1951)

12 09/10/1951 (US) Drama, Romance 1h 39m

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Overview

Director Jean Renoir’s entrancing first color feature—shot entirely on location in India—is a visual tour de force. Based on the novel by Rumer Godden, the film eloquently contrasts the growing pains of three young women with the immutability of the Bengal river around which their daily lives unfold. Enriched by Renoir’s subtle understanding and appreciation for India and its people, The River gracefully explores the fragile connections between transitory emotions and everlasting creation.

Jean Renoir

Director, Screenplay
Rumer Godden

Novel, Screenplay

Top Billed Cast

Nora Swinburne

The Mother
Esmond Knight

The Father
Arthur Shields

Mr. John
Suprova Mukerjee

Nan
Thomas E. Breen

Capt. John
Patricia Walters

Harriet
Radha Burnier

Melanie
Adrienne Corri

Valerie
June Tripp

Narrator (voice)
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A review by CinemaSerf

70%

Written by CinemaSerf on February 8, 2024

I found there to be something of the beauty of one of novelist Rumor Godden's other novels - "Black Narcussus" (1947) in this gorgeously photographed tale of three young women growing up with the Ganges river providing a constant in their lives. Our story is narrated, in part, by "Harriet" (Patricia Walters) who lives an affluent life beside the river with her much younger sisters, brother and with her mother (Nora Swinburne) expecting number seven! The age difference means she spends much of her time with her two friends "Valerie" (Andrienne Corri) and "Melanie" (Radha). "Melanie" is of mixed-... read the rest.

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