RYAN’S DAUGHTER: THE MAKING OF AN IRISH EPIC Book Review — A Beautiful Mess

This is just one of many of the comically misguided escapades that made up day-to-day life as this film was brought to life, as collected with incredible detail by author Paul Benedict Rowan in his new book. Readers will also hear saucy stories of inter-cast affairs and infidelities, petty grievances, bloated budgets, and days wasted as summer failed to perform on the rainy Irish coast. As explained by Rowan, Ryan’s Daughter was greenlit by Hollywood studios that had no reason to doubt their highly successful director, who was coming off a string of impressive hits like Doctor Zhivago and Lawrence of Arabia. Given essentially carte blanche, David Lean indulged his perfectionism on this miscast story, while his actors impatiently killed time in the Irish countryside and the locals happily cashed their checks.

Fans who enjoy a good making of story will not be disappointed, as Rowan delights with outrageous stories of all-night parties full of drugs and debauchery, with men and women slipping out of each other’s beds at all hours, with the added comic detail of the locals looking on in disbelief.

RYAN’S DAUGHTER: THE MAKING OF AN IRISH EPIC  is Window to Cinema History

But those looking for a bit of schadenfreude may be surprised, as Ryan’s Daughter is not the legendary bomb some may have expected; it has not gone down in cinema history like Heaven’s Gate, Ishtar, or Waterworld have. Indeed, the film was nominated for several Oscars and did decent business at the box office. But its results did not excuse the near yearlong production that went millions over budget, without achieving the artistic success of Lean’s previous work.

Price $19.95

For more information visit the University of Kentucky Press website

Photos Courtesy of RYAN’S DAUGHTER: THE MAKING OF AN IRISH EPIC Book

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