Ryan's Daughter is the story of an affair between a British army officer and a married Irish woman during the First World War, and the effect it has individually and socially. It's set in the west of Ireland. The film won two Oscars, one for cinematography and another for best supporting actor.

The cast is almost entirely British, with Robert Mitchum also playing the cuckolded husband. Unfortunately, the foreign actors do not carry off an Irish accent. At times the idiom is noticeably British rather than Irish. Examples being, Rosey Ryan addressing her father as Dad; the IRA man referring to Ryan, a publican, as landlord; the priest shouting to the crowd to 'get off out of it!'. At times, they don't even try to pretend they're Irish and use a straight English accent.

In addition, the dialogue is fairly shallow. Major Doryan is monosyllabic throughout and one wonders how any woman would fall for such a bland individual. And to hear Robert Mitchum voicing lines like 'well I did and I didn't' prevents any suspension of disbelief.

John Mills is excellent as the club-footed idiot Michael. He is helped by not having to speak. The cinematography is expansive and thrilling at times. Accelerated film of clouds reflected on the mountains is very eye-catching. This is the big picture imagery that David Lean was known for. However, Maurice Jarre's music doesn't reach the quality of Lara's theme from Doctor Zhivago.

There is a famous scene where Sarah Miles runs up a hill in a transparent nightdress. This was quite risqué in 1970. The film was accused of insulting Irish morals. I felt that the Great War backdrop was communicated very well through Major Doryan's flashbacks and also the talk between him and his predecessor who was leaving for the Western Front.

I would recommend Ryan's Daughter mainly for the cinematography. It also offers insight into how Irish carricatures persisted in British culture right into the 1970s.

Recommended:
No

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older