Ryan’s Daughter (1970)

VHS CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  195 Minutes (Extended: 206 Minutes)

Rated: GP (PG)

Genre: Drama, Romance

Director: David Lean

Starring: Robert Mitchum, Trevor Howard, Christopher Jones, John Mills, Leo McKern, Sarah Miles

IMDB Rank: 7.4/10

Part 1 Time: 102 Minutes (Extended: 106 Minutes)

Part 2 Time:  93 Minutes (Extended: 100 Minutes)

*** The VHS release of the film splits at 114 minutes when Rosy leaves town on a horse as the entire village laughs, a rainstorm then begins.

Where does the first part end?  At the couples home, Charles (Robert Mitchum) questions his wife Rosy (Sarah Miles) about her recent activities.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have asked that, no that’s a rotten question for a man to ask his wife,” Charles states to his wife.

First line of dialogue on the second part:  Charles walks the coastline with his students. One of the students finds a metal object and states “Sir, Sir!” Charles responds “what’s that?”

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal, Rosy has been discreetly seeing English officer Major Doryan (Christopher Jones). Her activities are beginning to be noticed by the townsfolk who believe infidelity is happening. How will this effect Rosy’s standing in the village as well as her relationship with Charles?

Which part is better? The film is quiet slow and focuses on character building. In the first half we are introduced to the main characters as well as the customs, traditions, and folklore of the village. It is not until part two where things begin to take a turn as Rosy becomes an outcast within the village and attempts to balance her relationship with both Charles and Major Doryan. For this reason part two is given given the advantage over the first half.

Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor (John Mills), Best Cinematography, Best Leading Actress (Nominated-Sarah Miles), Best Sound