The River
“Beauty... Mystery... Delightful Humor...”
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.
Where to watch The River in United States
HBO Max Amazon Channel
Criterion Channel
HBO Max
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Fandango At HomeClick a service to open The River there. Availability last verified on July 11, 2026.
Where is The River streaming around the world?
| Country | Streaming on | Rent / Buy |
|---|---|---|
| United States | HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home |
| United Kingdom | BFI Player, BFI Player Amazon Channel, BFI Player Apple TV Channel | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| Canada | Criterion Channel | Apple TV Store |
| France | — | Apple TV Store, LaCinetek, Sooner |
| Spain | Filmin | — |
| Japan | U-NEXT, FOD | — |
About The River
The River is a 1951 English-language drama and romance film directed by Jean Renoir. The cast is led by Nora Swinburne, Esmond Knight, Arthur Shields. It has a runtime of 1h 39m. Viewers rate it 7.3/10 across 100 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max.
The River was produced by Oriental International Films and made in France and India. It was released on September 10, 1951, and carries a U certification.
- Director
- Jean Renoir
- Writers
- Jean Renoir, Rumer Godden
- Release date
- September 10, 1951
- Original language
- English
- Age rating
- U
- Status
- Released
- Country
- France, India
- Production
- Oriental International Films
The River cast & crew
The River was directed by Jean Renoir and written by Jean Renoir and Rumer Godden.
The cast features Nora Swinburne as The Mother, Esmond Knight as The Father, Arthur Shields as Mr. John, Suprova Mukerjee as Nan, Thomas E. Breen as Capt. John, and Patricia Walters as Harriet.
Behind the camera, the score was composed by M.A. Partha Sarathy, cinematography is by Claude Renoir, and it was produced by Kenneth McEldowney and Jean Renoir.
Is The River worth watching?
The River holds an audience score of 7.3/10 from 127 ratings, marking it as well-reviewed drama films.
At 1h 39m, it's an easy, time-light watch.
If you enjoy drama and romance, The River is worth a place on your watchlist.
How and where to watch The River
In United States, you can stream The River on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, and HBO Max, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. Click any service above to open it directly.
Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.
Rate & review
Your rating and review are saved privately in this browser — no account needed.
Cast of The River
Nora Swinburne
The Mother
Esmond Knight
The Father
Arthur Shields
Mr. John
Suprova Mukerjee
Nan
Thomas E. Breen
Capt. John
Patricia Walters
Harriet
Radha Burnier
Melanie
Adrienne Corri
Valerie
June Tripp
Narrator (voice)
Nimai Barik
Kanu (uncredited)
Richard R. Foster
Bogey (uncredited)
Jane Harris
Muffie (uncredited)
The River — FAQs
▸Where can I watch The River in United States?
The River is streaming on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max in United States.
▸Is The River on HBO Max Amazon Channel?
Yes — The River is currently available on HBO Max Amazon Channel in United States.
▸What language is The River in?
The River is originally in English, with audio tracks including English, Bengali. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.
▸How long is The River?
The River runs 1 hours 39 minutes (99 minutes).
▸What is The River rated?
The River is rated U. It holds a 7.3/10 audience score from 127 ratings.
More like The River
