Product: Ryan's Daughter (Two-Disc Special Edition) (2006)
Rating: 5.0
Leaner Epic
"Ryan's Daughter" probably doesn't get the recognition that director David Lean's larger scale epics like "Lawrence of Arabia" or "Dr. Zhivago" because it's something of a departure for him. This film focuses on a small coastal Irish town during the war for independence from British occupation. What is large here is the emotions. Whether we're talking about the ilicit affair between Rosy(Sarah Miles), the frustrated teachers wife, and a shellshocked British officer or the anti-British fervor among the locals the emotions are large here. Scriptwriter Robert Bolt fashions a script here that is deep in characterization. The ensemble cast is uniformly excellent with probably Robert Mitchum's staid teacher, Trevor Howard's consciencious priest, and John Mills' simpleton being the standouts. If for anything else see this film for Freddie Young's sumptuous cinematography. This has to be one of the best looking film's ever.