Ryan's Daughter (1970)
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A married Irish woman navigates a forbidden affair with a British officer amidst the political turmoil of World War I.
The story
In August 1917, Rosy Ryan, the daughter of a local publican, lives in the isolated village of Kirrary on Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. While the surrounding villagers are Irish nationalists, Rosy marries the quiet village schoolmaster, Charles Shaughnessy. However, her life changes when Major Randolph Doryan, a British officer suffering from shell shock and a crippled leg, arrives at the local pub. After a passionate encounter between Rosy and Doryan, the village begins to suspect they are having an affair, creating a tense atmosphere of moral and political opposition from the nationalist community.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In August 1917, Rosy Ryan, the daughter of a local publican in Kirrary, Ireland, marries the quiet schoolmaster Charles Shaughnessy. Her life is upended when Major Randolph Doryan, a British officer with shell shock and a crippled leg, arrives in the village. After a passionate liaison between Rosy and Doryan, the village nationalists begin to suspect their affair. Charles becomes suspicious but remains silent. During a fierce storm in January 1918, local rebels attempt to recover German arms from the beach. Thomas Ryan, who secretly serves as a British informer, tips off the authorities. The villagers, led by Ryan, attempt to help the rebels, but Doryan's troops capture them. Doryan kills the rebel leader, O'Leary, and collapses. Charles eventually demands a separation from Rosy. That night, Rosy leaves Charles to meet Doryan. The villagers seize Rosy and humiliate her, believing she informed the British. Finally, Doryan gives his cigarette case to a local boy, Michael, who leads him to a cache of explosives. Doryan then commits suicide by detonating the explosives. Rosy and Charles eventually leave for Dublin.
- First release year
- 1970
- Runtime (minutes)
- 206
- Production countries
- United Kingdom
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- David Lean
- Writers
- Robert Bolt · writer
- Cast and characters
- Robert Mitchum; Sarah Miles; John Mills; Christopher Jones; Trevor Howard; Leo McKern
- Genres
- epic; romantic drama; historical drama
- Themes
- Infidelity; Nationalism; War; Isolation
- Tone and mood
- Epic; Romantic; Tragic
- Premise and plot tags
- Historical Drama; Romantic Drama; War Drama; Based on Literature
- Source material / true-story basis
- Gustave Flaubert's 1857 novel Madame Bovary
- Content notes
- Infidelity
- Reception
- The film was harshly received by critics upon its initial release but was a box office success. It has since retained a reputation as one of David Lean's weakest films, often criticized for its length and scale.
- Production trivia
- The film was more than 185 days over schedule.; The role of Major Doryan was originally written for Marlon Brando.; The film was photographed in Super Panavision 70.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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