Oklahoma City University continues its 30th annual Film Institute series on Jan. 22 with Jean Renoir’s “The River,” based on Rumer Godden’s 1946 novel.

The 1951 drama serves as an unconventional romance, centered on three girls in India who fall in love with the same man, an American solider (Thomas E. Breen) who lost one leg in the war. No less a cinema master than Martin Scorsese deems the Technicolor production as one of “the two most beautiful color films ever made. I watch that film three times a year. Sometimes four.” 

When Scorsese showed to Wes Anderson, the younger director was inspired to make “The Darjeeling Limited.” (If, like me, you found “Darjeeling” to be a blight on Anderson’s otherwise spotless filmography, blame Marty, I guess.)

According to a press release from OCU, “The River” was one of the two most requested films on the evaluation forms from last year’s series.

“The River” screens for free at 2 p.m. Jan. 22 in the Meinders School of Business’ Kerr-McGee Auditorium, 2501 N. Blackwelder.

Still to come are:
• “Children of Heaven,” Feb. 5;
• “The Milk of Sorrow,” Feb. 19; and
• “Sansho the Baliff,” March 4.

For more information, call 208-5472. —Rod Lott