Riders to the Sea

My review was written in March 1989 after watching the show on Diamond Entertainment video cassette.

This faithful adaptation of J. M Synge's 1904 play will be of interest primarily to the educational market. Awkward length is a problem for more commercial exploitation.

Filmed on location in Ireland in 1986, the program features Geraldine Page (in one of her last roles) as a matriarch who waits with daughters Amanda Plummer and Sachi Parker for news of her son Michael, who's been missing for nine days.

Clothing from a drowned man in the far north is brought, and the daughters identify it as Michael's. Page has a hallucination regarding Michael's death and takes it as a bad omen. It comes true when her youngest and last surviving son (Barry McGovern) also perishes in the sea.

More a dirge than a drama, "Riders" benefits from excellent readings by the actresses who preserve Synge's poetry (adaptation is uncredited here). Plummer delivers interesting vocal effects; all-American girl Parker (Shirley MacLaine's daughter) fits surprisingly well in the ensemble, and Page gives a moving, understated performance.

Director Ronan O'Leary lays on the symbolism at times, but generally adheres to simplicity to create a mood resembling that of Greek tragedy. Portentous musical score features eerie choral work.