Movie
Where to Watch The River (1951) in the US
- 1951
- Approved
- 1h 39m
- 7.4IMDb
- 92%Rotten Tomatoes
The River is available with a subscription or to rent in the United States.
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- Apple TV StoreSD99 minAudioEnglish$3.99Opens in a new tab.
- Apple TV StoreHD99 minAudioEnglish$3.99Opens in a new tab.
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Availability last checked Oct 9, 2026.
Report a wrong listingAvailability
- Watch the movie with a subscription on HBO Max (HD) and The Criterion Channel (HD).
- Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video.
What it's about
Harriet, now an adult, narrates the story of her coming of age, growing up as a British national and as a daughter of a jute press manager in the Bengal region of India, they living in the big house on the banks of one of the holy rivers. At the time, she is the eldest of six siblings - five girls and one boy - with another one on the way and with her being significantly older than the rest of her siblings. As such, she spends much time with an honorary member of their family, a late teen - not quite an adult - named Valerie, also a British national and the daughter of the jute press owner. Another friend, who recently arrived home from her western schooling, is Melanie, the biracial daughter of British national Mr. John and his deceased Hindu wife. Both Mr. John and Melanie realize her difficult position, straddling both the Hindi and western cultures. Their small world is shaken up with the arrival of Captain John, Mr. John's cousin and an American ex-military man who has one prosthetic leg, the result of his time in the war. He is a somewhat sullen man who is running away from anything that reminds him of his time before his physical disability. Regardless, he has an effect on all three of Harriet, Valerie and Melanie in different ways, which nonetheless tests their friendships. In combination with other things that happen, this may provide Harriet with a bigger view of life in her coming of age.
Cast and crew
- Director
- Jean Renoir
- Writer
- Rumer Godden, Jean Renoir
- Starring
- Patricia Walters, Nora Swinburne, Esmond Knight
Details
- Release date
- Sep 10, 1951
- Language
- English, Bengali
- Country
- France, United States, India
- Awards
- Nominated for 2 BAFTA 3 wins & 4 nominations total
Where to Watch The River (1951) in the US — common questions
- Where to watch The River in the United States?
- The River is available with a subscription or to rent in the United States. Watch the movie with a subscription on HBO Max (HD) and The Criterion Channel (HD). Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video.
- Can I stream The River or do I have to rent it in the United States?
- Watch the movie with a subscription on HBO Max (HD) and The Criterion Channel (HD). Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video.
- Can I watch The River for free in the United States?
- We have not confirmed a free option for The River in the United States.
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