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Ryan's Daughter

Ryan's Daughter

A story of love...set against the violence of rebellion

1970200 minRMidcredits score: 89th percentile of all films
Director
David Lean
Starring
Robert Mitchum, Trevor Howard, Christopher Jones, John Mills

In the wake of the 1916 Easter Rising, a married schoolteacher in a small Irish village has an affair with a troubled British officer.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Ryan's Daughter?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Ryan's Daughter streaming on Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

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Highlights

What stands out about Ryan's Daughter?

Ryan's Daughter earns 10 badges, led by Oscar Winner and Visual feast.

Show 2 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Ryan's Daughter worth watching?

Ryan's Daughter's Midcredits score is the 89th percentile of all films, from 20K ratings across 4 sources. 78% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

89th percentile

Better received than 89% of films

91st percentile among Drama90th percentile among 1970s
Acclaim (how much people like it)87th
Approval (how many liked it)88th

73 /100

87th percentile of all films

90th percentile among Drama88th percentile among 1970s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.5 — solid but not unanimous.

78% liked it

88th percentile of all films

90th percentile among Drama90th percentile among 1970s
78% rated it 7–1022% rated it 1–6

Critics 47% · Audience 73%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

2 Oscars won · 2 Oscar noms · 8 wins / 22 noms overall

  • WonAcademy Awards· Best Actor in a Supporting Role
  • WonAcademy Awards· Best Cinematography

84th percentile

20K ratings across platforms

86th percentile among Drama88th percentile among 1970s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 2% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$15M
Worldwide gross$9.3K

Returned 0.0× its budget — 12th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A visually stunning but slow-moving epic set in a small Irish village during WWI, centered on an adulterous love affair.

Fans praised

  • Oscar-winning cinematography capturing Ireland's stunning coastline
  • Masterful direction by David Lean with epic scope
  • John Mills' affecting performance as the village idiot

Detractors panned

  • Overlong runtime with slow pacing
  • Thin story unworthy of epic treatment
  • Miscast lead Robert Mitchum as mild-mannered schoolteacher

What stands out

Cinematography95

Astonishing Oscar-winning widescreen photography of Irish coastline

Effects and spectacle90

Remarkable practical storm sequence and shipwreck salvage

Atmosphere85

Powerful sense of place and period; bleak village life

ActingDivisive75

Strong performances from Mitchum, Miles, Howard; Mills' Oscar-winning role divisive

CharactersDivisive50

Sympathetic husband and priest vs. unsympathetic selfish heroine

Sound and musicDivisive45

Divisive score: some find it haunting, others inappropriate and overbearing

Plot and story35

Simple love story unable to sustain epic length

PacingDivisive25

Glacial pace widely criticized; over three hours feels too long

Preferred by

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 14 points higher than US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 3 points apart
  • Critics vs users 6 points apart

Watch experience

What is Ryan's Daughter like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Dark and unsettling: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want something dark that stays with you.

It is intense, takes its time and leaves you devastated. Skip it when you want an easy night or you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings and patience.

What it feels like

Dark and unsettling.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseMelancholicRomanticDread
Heaviest: late
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.Epic · 2% of films: Vast in scale: big landscapes, big stakes, a long span.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its characters' emotional turmoil with gravity and visual grandeur, never undercutting the drama.
The rideThe mood builds from romantic yearning through tense secrecy to a violent, shaming climax and a somber departure.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically from Rosy's marriage through her affair and its consequences.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Devastated.

The answer rests on this: Devastating · 3% of filmsBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayThe film's tragic conclusion and the couple's ambiguous future leave a profoundly sad yet lingering sense of possible redemption.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Tragedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9% (this title): Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% (this title) · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Tragedy: A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin. · Doomed love: Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).

9% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeRosy's pursuit of passion leads to destruction when her affair with a British officer is exposed, and she is scapegoated by her nationalist village.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfPurposeSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% (this title) · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Purpose · 9% of filmsRomantic love · 15% of filmsIsolation · 5% of films
Mourns its theme: Grieves its theme, or what has been lost of it.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeRosy yearns for a life beyond her constraining village, seeking purpose through passion and escape, leading to romantic entanglement and societal rejection.
StanceThe film mourns Rosy's loss of purpose and passion, which are crushed by rigid community judgment and her own choices, offering no celebration of its themes.

The world

Early 20th centuryRuralWildernessInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · Maurice Jarre
Settingisolated Irish coastal village during World War I, with nearby British army base and windswept beaches
MusicMaurice Jarre's sweeping orchestral score underscores the romantic yearning and tragic isolation of the Irish coastal setting.

Content guide

Is Ryan's Daughter okay for kids?

R

Ryan's Daughter is rated R: “Rated R for a sex scene” (MPAA). As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (36/100), sexual content at moderate (50/100), language at mild (26/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (33/100) and frightening material at moderate (38/100). Its language, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 13 other countries
  • UK15
  • AustraliaPG
  • Germany16
  • FranceTP
  • Ireland15
  • JapanR18+
  • Argentina+16
  • FinlandK-16
  • Italy14+
  • Netherlands6
  • PortugalM/12
  • Spain16
  • Sweden11
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Moderate
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 17%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 53%
Profanity
Mild
too few votes to rank (9 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
too few votes to rank (8 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (70 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Ryan's Daughter have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Ryan's Daughter?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Robert Mitchum
as Charles Shaughnessy
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Trevor Howard
as Father Collins
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Christopher Jones
as Major Randolph Doryan
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
John Mills
as Michael
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Leo McKern
as Thomas Ryan
Sarah Miles
as Rosy Ryan
Barry Foster
as Tim O'Leary
Marie Kean
as Mrs. McCardle
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Arthur O'Sullivan
as Mr. McCardle
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Evin Crowley
as Moureen
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.

Crew

Directed by

David Lean

Written by

Robert Bolt

Cinematography

Freddie Young

Edited by

Norman Savage

Music by

Maurice Jarre

Produced by

Anthony Havelock-AllanRoy Stevens

More like this

What are movies like Ryan's Daughter?

Movies like Ryan's Daughter include Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Doctor Zhivago (1965) and Madame Bovary (2014). Of the 12 closest matches, several are films by David Lean, and most are forbidden-love stories.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

10 of these 12 share its story type: period drama. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Ryan's Daughter?

3.9K other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: forbidden love. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.