The River
1951 · Movie · 99 min · ★ 7.3 · 87% critics
Director Jean Renoir’s first color feature immerses viewers in India, following three young women whose day-to-day lives revolve around the Bengal river. As the river keeps flowing, their feelings and relationships shift with the passage of time, life, and change.
Where to watch
Streaming on HBO Max and The Criterion Channel — or rent from $3.99.
2 hours to watch.
Stream (included)
Rent
Streaming availability and prices may be inaccurate or change — verify with the provider before subscribing.
unSUB's subscription recommendations are informational only, not financial advice.
More value for your money
Similar titles, ranked by watch-hours per subscription dollar.
Details
- Years
- 1951
- Release date
- 1951-09-10
- Language
- English
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Critic score
- 87/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.3/10 (126 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy The River if you want a beautiful, lyrical coming-of-age story with timeless themes and a steady sense of flow; Not for you if you need action, or dislike voiceover-driven storytelling.
Pros: stunning color and scenery; gentle coming-of-age focus | Cons: slow, meditative pace; voiceover heavy
Themes
- based on novel or book
- river
- snake charmer
- hindu
- love
- india
- american
- first love
- kite flying
- bengal
- ganges
Cast & crew
Nora Swinburne
as The Mother
Esmond Knight
as The Father
Arthur Shields
as Mr. John
Suprova Mukerjee
as Nan
- TB
Thomas E. Breen
as Capt. John
- PW
Patricia Walters
as Harriet
Radha Burnier
as Melanie
Adrienne Corri
as Valerie
June Tripp
as Narrator (voice)
- NB
Nimai Barik
as Kanu (uncredited)
Directed by Jean Renoir