Ryan's Daughter (1970)

Sarah Miles: Rosy

Photos 

Quotes 

• Charles Shaughnessy : It's not a hangin' matter to be young... but it maybe should be a hangin' matter for a - man of middle age - to - try and steal the youth from a young girl. Especially, a man like me and a - girl like you. You were meant for the wide world, Rose. Not this place, not this. Me - I was born for it. It wouldn't do, Rose. I just know it wouldn't.

  Rosy Ryan : So, you - you don't want me, then?

  Charles Shaughnessy : [Leans to kiss Rose]  Don't want you? Oh...

  [They embrace] 

• Rosy Ryan : It will make me a different person, won't it?

  Father Collins : Marriage?

  Rosy Ryan : No, the satisfaction of the flesh.

  Father Collins : Well, that's a gate I've not been through, myself. But, no, it won't make you a different person.

  Rosy Ryan : I want it to.

  Father Collins : Child, what are you expecting?

  [Look up at noisy seagulls flying above] 

  Father Collins : Wings, is it?

• Father Collins : [Explaining why God ordains the sacrament of marriage]  And thirdly, for the satisfaction of the flesh. Are you scared of that?

  Rosy Ryan : Yes.

  Father Collins : It should be nothing to be scared of Rosy. A function of the body.

  Rosy Ryan : I suppose all girls is a bit scared before.

  Father Collins : Oh, and fellas too.

  Rosy Ryan : Yes?

• Father Collins : [having encountered Rosy walking alone on the beach]  Have you nothin' to do?

  Rosy Ryan : Precisely that!

  Father Collins : Well, Miss Precisely, that's a pity! Doin' nothin's a dangerous occupation!

• Charles Shaughnessy : [Rose has professed her love to Charles]  Rose, you're mistaking a penny mirror for the sun - do you not see that?

  Rosy Ryan : I see you always digging a low pit for yourself - when you should be standing on a heap of pride.

  Charles Shaughnessy : You coming in here and saying what you did just now is the only cause I've ever had for pride.

• Rosy Ryan : [after her affair with Doryan has become public]  You're very kind to me today.

  Charles Shaughnessy : Am I?

  Rosy Ryan : Yes. Why?

  Charles Shaughnessy : Am I not usually kind to you?

• [first lines] 

  Rosy Ryan : Give it over, Michael. Thanks.

• Rosy Ryan : You enjoyed yourself in Dublin, then?

  Charles Shaughnessy : Well, I did and I didn't. A conference of village school teachers, you know, is not exactly a...

  Rosy Ryan : Bacchanalia?

  Charles Shaughnessy : Bacchanalia, precisely.

• Rosy Ryan : In what way, precisely, was she - stimulatin'?

• Charles Shaughnessy : Why don't you see, Rose, I only taught you about Byron and Beethoven and Captain Blood. I'm not one of them fellows, me self.

  Rosy Ryan : I'm not daft, you know.

  Charles Shaughnessy : But, you're terribly young.

• Charles Shaughnessy : You're a wonderful girl, Rose.

  Rosy Ryan : No. No, I'm not.

• Rosy Ryan : You always think the best of people, don't you?

  Charles Shaughnessy : Why not?

• Father Collins : Where have you been?

  Rosy Ryan : Ridin' - with Major Doryan.

  Father Collins : You're bold as brass! You think that's a suitable connection for a decent Irish wife?

  Rosy Ryan : I think that is for my - husband to say, Father.