The River (1951)

Directed by Jean Renoir. With Patricia Walters, Nora Swinburne, Esmond Knight, Arthur Shields. Three adolescent girls growing up in Bengal, India, learn their lessons in life after falling for an older American soldier.

The River (1951) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more.

Director Jean Renoir’s entrancing first color feature—shot entirely on location in India—is a visual tour de force. Based on the novel by Rumer Godden, the film eloquently contrasts the growing pains of three young women with the immutability of the Bengal river around which their daily lives unfold. Enriched by Renoir’s subtle understanding and appreciation for India and its people, The River gracefully explores the fragile connections between transitory emotions and everlasting creation. The River was restored by the Academy Film Archive in association with the BFI and Janus Films, with restoration funding provided by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and The Film Foundation.

Jean Renoir's "The River" (1951) begins with a circle

Director Jean Renoir’s entrancing first color feature—shot entirely on location in India—is a visual tour de force. Based on the novel by Rumer Godden, the film eloquently contrasts the growing pains of three young women with the immutability of the Bengal river around which their daily lives unfold. Enriched by Renoir’s subtle understanding and appreciation for India and its people, The River gracefully explores the fragile connections between transitory emotions and everlasting creation.

The River is a film directed by Jean Renoir with Patricia Walters, Adrienne Corri, Nora Swinburne, Esmond Knight, .... Year: 1951. Original title: Le fleuve (The River). Synopsis: Harriet (Patricia Walters) is a pensive, awkward, and fanciful adolescent growing up in Bengal near the banks of the river. The eldest child of a jute factory manager (Esmond Knight), she spends most ...

Three teenage girls are living in Bengali (India) near a big river: Harriet is the oldest child of a big family of English settlers. Valerie is the unique daughter of an American industrialist. Melanie has an American father and an Indian mother. One day, a man arrives. He will be the first love of the three girls.

Director Jean Renoir’s entrancing first color feature—shot entirely on location in India—is a visual tour de force. Based on the novel by Rumer Godden, the film eloquently contrasts the growing pains of three young women with the immutability of the Bengal river around which their daily lives unfold. Enriched by Renoir’s subtle understanding and appreciation for India and its people, The River gracefully explores the fragile connections between transitory emotions and everlasting creation.

The River (French: Le Fleuve) is a 1951 film directed by Jean Renoir. It was filmed in India. It is a coming of age film.