Ryan’s Daughter, 1970

First seen at the cinema on Linthorpe Road (I think) in Middlesbrough, shortly after I left home at age 18. A David Lean film. Never had him down as a favourite Director but he does seem to be coming through strongly.

I did not know until today that Ryan’s Daughter is a re-telling of Madame Bovary but then again, I never claimed to be educated in literary matters.

Ryan’s Daughter is currently leading the pack in the bum-numbing stakes, at a hefty 3 hrs and 26 minutes but fear not, it is a riveting watch and the time passes swiftly.

I remember watching the whole film and wondering what had happened to John Mills, as I knew that he was in the film. I simply failed to recognise him. He played Michael, in a performance that was not necessarily well-received. At that age however, I admired it. Sarah Miles is beautiful and Robert Mitchum is, er, Robert Mitchum.

As for impact, just add this film to the ever-growing list of those that formed my attitudes and opinions about the appalling way that women have been treated over the years.

I note that the Producer was Anthony Havelock-Allan, I had no idea. I was acquainted with the Havelock-Allans through my work when I was younger. I had no idea that they had movie connections. File under “small world”.

Directed byDavid Lean
Produced byAnthony Havelock-Allan
Written byRobert Bolt
StarringRobert Mitchum
Trevor Howard
Christopher Jones
John Mills
Leo McKern
Sarah Miles
Music byMaurice Jarre
CinematographyFreddie Young

Published by Scattered Thinker

The Scattered Thinker is somewhat past her prime, but not yet in any danger of giving up. In the Inter-world, she is often known as plumbum, or sometimes as ulygan. In the Real Life, she goes by the name of Beth. Beth is a roamer. She lives in a motorhome and has a backup static caravan that serves as a bolthole if needed. Bricks and mortar are very much a thing of the past. Contact Beth if you would like to correspond with paper and pen.