The River (1951): cast, story & where to watch
1951 · Film · ★ 7.3
Released in 1951, The River is a drama and romance film directed by Jean Renoir, running about 99 minutes. “Beauty... Mystery... Delightful Humor...” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. 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.
Who’s in it. The River stars Nora Swinburne as The Mother, Esmond Knight as The Father, Arthur Shields as Mr. John and Suprova Mukerjee as Nan, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.3/10, The River has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel and HBO Max and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The River page.
If you liked it. Fans of The River tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The River (1951)?
- In US, The River is available to stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel and HBO Max, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The River worth watching?
- The River holds an audience score of 7.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and romance. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The River?
- The River stars Nora Swinburne, Esmond Knight, Arthur Shields, Suprova Mukerjee and Thomas E. Breen.
- When was The River released?
- The River was released in 1951, with a runtime of about 99 minutes.