Ryan's Daughter

This has got to be one of the best visually appealing movies. The setting and photography are wonderful and do distract from the storyline a little. It's a familiar storyline but done beautifully by David Lean (one expects nothing less) and fabulously casted.

this is an amazing film scenery in Ireland is beautiful and the acting top rate. slightly sad at times but it does show the bigatry that prevailled

An incredible performance by all the main actors, especially John Mills as the village idiot, Michael. Very thought provoking and kept you focused and interested throughout, even though the screen play was longer than most.

All in all, a very interesting film.

A big production, big buget for its time, beautiful cinematography showcasing South West of Ireland esp the town of Dingle. Good perforamces from Robert Mitchum as the teacher and excellent performance from John Mills as the village idiot which won him an oscar for this role worth seeing in this !. Unfortunely no chemistry from the main love interests Rosy Ryan and the British soldier that was the main let down.

If ever there was one example of why professional critics need to go and get a proper job this is surely it... Mauled by the critics of the time when it should be considered one of Lean's finest accomplishments (its actually my favourite Lean film - followed closely by Dr Zhivago).

Aesthetically it is simply stunning using the drama of our west coast to full effect, as a narrative it manages to hold the viewers attention fully for 3 hours (no mean feat), and very quickly Lean manages to make us understand the main characters and their position in the small society in which they find themselves. The general feeling of simmering resentment and hatred the community has for anyone who possesses anything out of the ordinary is palpable and creates and underlying tension of jeopardy throughout and so you know from the off that all these creatures are waiting for is a reason to bring Rosy Ryan (the publican and resident informer's daughter) down - shes beautiful, spoilt and she wants more, much more, than what that village has to offer. And unlike Dr Zhivago Lean does not shy away from depicting the horrific violence of the environment. Here we see backward Ireland in all it's 'terrible beauty'. The villagers are seen to be absolute and merciless in their anti-British doctrine and the fact that the parish priest makes some attempt (although small) to limit the punishment inflicted on Rosy but can preach no such mercy for the British soldiers is notable and sinister.

This is a brilliant movie, great story and magnificently performed by all - it has been described as 'overblown' but to me that quality just perfectly reflects the extremities of the times these characters lived in. One thing is for sure - once seen you wont forget it easily.