The River

"Jean Renoir's 'The River' and Michael Powell's 'The Red Shoes' are "the two most beautiful color films ever made," Martin Scorsese says in an interview on the new Criterion DVD of the restored print -see youtube video-." 

"A haunting reverie of the growing-up of a sensitive English girl (...) the illustrations of the country are beautiful beyond words-the serenity of the river, the power of boatmen sweeping its stream, the bazaars full of color and movement, and the dazzling brilliance of festivals." 

"The film is one of the simplest and most beautiful by Jean Renoir, among the greatest of directors. (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 4)" 

"Renoir's location work in India and his semi-documentary excursions look great, juxtaposed as they are with his bold fantasy sequences evoking India's spiritual life. (...) Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)" 

"Masterpiece (...) Renoir's images flow with the same still motion as his metaphorical river" 

"It encompasses the whole cycle of life and is told with a stoic wisdom and simplicity that’s as beautiful as it is moving." 

"It's a beautifully observed rite-of-passage and culture-clash story"