The River (Blu-ray)

Jean Renoir's intoxicating first colour feature shot entirely on location in India is a lyrical adaptation of Rumer Godden's autobiographical coming-of-age tale of an adolescent girl living with her English family on the banks of West Bengal during the waning years of British colonial life.

Exquisitely shot in luminous Technicolor by Renior's nephew Claude, The River is a visual tour de force and a glorious, meditative tribute to the sights and sounds of Indian culture.

Perhaps Renoir's most symbolic and spiritual work, displaying great humanity and refreshing simplicity. The River received tremendous international acclaim and remains one of his most popular films.

High Definition digital transfer from the restoration by the Film Foundation

2-disc limited edition (3,000 copies)

Introduction to The River by Indian filmmaker Kumar Shahani (2006, 16 mins)

Around the River (2008, 60 mins): Arnaud Mandagaran’s documentary about the making of The River

India Matri Bhumi (1959, 90 mins): several stories depicting the landscapes and fauna of India are mixed with documentary footage in acclaimed filmmaker Roberto Rossellini’s rarely seen film

Around India with a Movie Camera (2018, 73 mins): with material drawn exclusively from the BFI National Archive, Around India explores not only the people and places of over 70 years ago, but asks us to engage with broader themes of a shared history, shifting perspectives in the lead up to Indian independence and the ghosts of the past

Villenour (French India: Territory of Pondicherry) (1914, 4 mins)

Manufacturing Ropes and Marine Cables at Howrah, Near Calcutta (1908, 8 mins)

Trailer

Stills gallery

Reversible sleeve offering a choice of original posters

**LIMITED EDITION ONLY** Illustrated booklet including a new essay by Dina Iordanova, archive essays by David Thompson and Satyajit Ray, an archive interview with Rumer Godden and writing on the special features by Tag Gallagher and Sandhya Suri