Movie discovery

Explore stories across every screen

DramaYear1951Duration1h 39mIMDb7.4

The River

DramaRomance

The growing pains of three young women contrast with the immutability of the holy Bengal River, around which their daily lives unfold.

Trailer

Cast

Jean Renoir

Director

Patricia Walters

Harriet

Nora Swinburne

The Mother

Esmond Knight

The Father

Arthur Shields

Mr. John

SM

Suprova Mukerjee

Nan

Thomas E. Breen

Capt. John

Radha

Melanie

Adrienne Corri

Valerie

June Tripp

Narrator

NB

Nimai Barik

Kanu

RR

Richard R. Foster

Bogey

JH

Jane Harris

Muffie

JH

Jennifer Harris

Mouse

Trilak Jetley

Anil

SS

Sajjan Singh

Ram Singh - The Gateman

PW

Penelope Wilkinson

Elizabeth

CW

Cecilia Wood

Victoria

RG

Rumer Godden

Writer

Jean Renoir

Writer

Comments

9 Comments

ujulu from plutoMay 29, 2023

source: The River

Zineb Douas foula 💓💁🏻‍♀️Nov 18, 2022

Alistromae123Nov 16, 2022

The River

Ángel 🫠Nov 16, 2022

Three adolescent girls growing up in Bengal, India, learn their lessons in life after falling for an older American soldier. While I am not at all familiar with the cinema of India, my impression is that it probably did not get started until the 1960s. Maybe this is wrong. But Jean Renoir's "River" may be the first significant film to come out of India following the country's independence in 1948. The "coming of age" aspect of the three girls is very interesting and a good narrative, but more important is the way Indian culture and religion is shown. When did the West become interested in India? Long ago, surely. But there seems to be a Renaissance mid-1900s with such writers as Christopher Isherwood. This film, no doubt, helped push that Renaissance.

user8062051401883Nov 16, 2022

Unlike many western movies i have seen that portrays Indians as if they were some nomadic people who are far from culture and sophistication, this film understands and illustrates the exact philosophy behind every deed that is performed by the Indians. And also i wonder why can't so many great directors inspire from a film like this to understand that the true culture lies in philosophy and not in their race or color. I suppose it is easy to stick to stereotypes rather than educating through movies. Therefore, it is not diversity for namesake that is important, but proper the depiction of one's understanding towards the diversity.

ans_3onNov 16, 2022

My Rating : 9/10 Being an Indian I knew I would be able to connect to this on some level even though it's a different time and place. I found it on Scorsese's top 10 list for Criterion and it certainly piqued my interest. Good film. Yes the acting is a bit wooden but I think you could overlook it as it's made in 1950's by a foreign director and just what he has managed is commendable. I absolutely loved the voiceover narration by the protagonist and the cinematography is gorgeous to boot. Great experience. Recommended.

pabi_cooperNov 16, 2022

This is one of those rare films which give you the impression after viewing it that you have truly lived and shared the lives of its characters (not just 'two people received that kiss', as they say in the film, but everyone who's watching the movie). You became part of that river as the film progresses, it is perhaps the picture which has described the passage of time better than any other. It is life, running within its waters, that catches your soul, which melts with the river and the film and your memory... I think it is the only movie that made me run to a bookstore to buy the book it was based on. Rumer Godden's work is beautiful indeed, but the film is far better for me. Highly recommended!

Kouki✨🌚Nov 16, 2022

I rated this film 9 instead of 10 because of its slow start and because of some of the acting. But what a movie! I don't think it's an accident that Renoir is the son of the great impressionist painter, because in this film, he uses the screen as a canvas. The shot of Valerie standing in midscreen with the green pond and foliage behind her is indescribably beautiful. Moreover, the sensuousness achieved here is rare in film. I felt that I was in India 50 years ago, so skilled was Renoir in being able to absorb the viewer into the film. A real find!

Apox Jevalen KalangulaNov 16, 2022

This film was very lovely to look at and it was obvious that both the author and director had a great love for the material. It is seen in the gentle and non-hurried scenes of everyday life for an English family living in the Bengal region of India. There are a couple aspects of the movie that might put off the average viewer. First, many of the actors are obviously not professionals and occasionally their acting does seem a little amateurish--though it is be no means terrible. Second, because the movie moves at such a slow and gentle pace, some may also become bored very quickly. While I was not bored, I was feeling a bit "antsy" and wish they had picked up the pace a bit. So, overall, it was a good film but I have seen several Indian films I liked much more than this one.

Featured Picks

Looking for more entertainment? Explore our recommended gaming hub and short-drama destination.

Instant Games

Gamixo

Play casual browser games with puzzles, cards, sports, and quick challenges ready in seconds.

Short Drama

VSKIT Drama

Watch trending mini-series, romance stories, and fresh short dramas with fast daily updates.