The River

[patacake]

I admit this isn't listed as a British film, but anyone who has seen it could be forgiven for thinking it is. Based on a book by Rumer Godden and directed by Jean Renoir it is about 'English' girls growing up in India and stars Nora Swinburne and ..er..his name escapes me..a senior moment..the actor with one eye and missing an arm...it'll come to me in a minute..



I saw this when I was 6 and it made an incredible impression on me, but I saw so many films around that time I couldn't remember it's name but thought the word 'river' was in the title. I'd asked many people if they remembered it to no avail when one day an older friend of my husband- to- be, who just so happened to have been a cinema manager in his youth (this was unknown to me at the time) told me and I was delighted as I'd been chasing this for some years. I was beside myself when I saw it was on tv later that year, recorded it, and now have a DVD of the same. I was a little apprehensive seeing it again as I didnt know if it would be as good as I remembered, and indeed it didn't strike home immediately, but it has an 'after burn' that stays with you a long time. A real favourite of mine.

[Nick Dando]

Esmond Knight, but he hadn't lost his arm. Only his sight during the chase, and subsequent sinking, of the Bismarck.



Nick

[patacake]

Yes, that's the one Nick, was just about to come back and say his name which I immediately remembered. I must have mixed him up with the other actor who lost an arm..someone Grey? Donald? Or am I losing it totally?

I think it might have been Adrienne Corri's first film appearance as Valerie the daughter of the 'big house'.

[batman]

I must have mixed him up with the other actor who lost an arm..someone Grey? Donald?

You are thinking of Donald Gray. He played Mark Saber on TV and was also the voice of Colonel White in Captain Scarlet.

[Steve Crook]

Esmond Knight, but he hadn't lost his arm. Only his sight during the chase, and subsequent sinking, of the Bismarck.



Nick

For more about Esmond Knight and his wonderful life and achievements (despite losing his sight), and his family, check out this site about him



Steve

[patacake]

A very detailed and informative site Steve, thank you! Esmond Knight was a friend of a friend (but we never met him), so I should have known better about the arm.