The River
“He might be able to hold back the river. But could he hold back the greed of man?”
We checked 8 streaming services in India on 05 Jun 2026 at 07:28 IST
About
Tom and Mae Garvey are a Tennessee farming couple battling violent floods to save their land. In addition to natural disasters, the Garveys fight to stop a selfish land developer and a local corporation from foreclosing on their farm. While Mae stays at home to care for their children and tend to the crops, Tom finds work as a scab at a steel mill to preserve his family's property.
Cast
Mel Gibson
as Tom Garvey
Sissy Spacek
as Mae Garvey
Scott Glenn
as Joe Wade
Billy Green Bush
as Harve Stanley
Shane Bailey
as Lewis Garvey
Becky Jo Lynch
as Beth Garvey
Don Hood
as Senator Neiswinder
James Tolkan
as Howard Simpson
Bob W. Douglas
as Hal Richardson
Andy Stahl
as Dave Birkin
Lisa Sloan
as Judy Birkin
Larry D. Ferrell
as Rod Tessley
Susie Toomey
as Sally Tessley
Kelly Toomey
as Lisa Tessley
Frank Hoyt Taylor
as Zemke
Amy Rydell
as Betty Gaumer
Samuel Scott Osborne
as Billy Gaumer
Charles Robinson
as Truck
Ivan Green
as Smoot
Desmond Couch
as Wilderfoot
Where does The River rank today?
The River is #4803 on the Bowood.TV Daily Streaming Charts today.
- Highest: #4803
- Top 10: 0 days
- Top 100: 0 days
Watch The River Online Free in HD
If you've been searching for The River full movie in HD, Bowood.TV has you covered. This popular English drama title from 1984 is available to stream instantly — no ads to fight through, no paid subscriptions, no annoying redirects.
About The River
“He might be able to hold back the river. But could he hold back the greed of man?”
Tom and Mae Garvey are a Tennessee farming couple battling violent floods to save their land. In addition to natural disasters, the Garveys fight to stop a selfish land developer and a local corporation from foreclosing on their farm. While Mae stays at home to care for their children and tend to the crops, Tom finds work as a scab at a steel mill to preserve his family's property. Running 122 minutes.
The River Cast and Characters
The cast features Mel Gibson (as Tom Garvey), Sissy Spacek (as Mae Garvey), Scott Glenn (as Joe Wade), Billy Green Bush (as Harve Stanley), and Shane Bailey (as Lewis Garvey). Their performances are a major reason The River has built such a passionate audience.
Where to Watch The River Online
Want to watch The River online without paying? Bowood.TV is the easiest way. Click play and the film starts in seconds. No popups, no "5 day trial that auto-charges" — just the show.
▶ Watch The River NowWhy People Are Watching The River
The River flies under the radar but it deserves your attention. What makes it work is emotional weight that hits where it counts. If you enjoy English storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of film you'll end up recommending to friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about The River
Where can I watch The River online for free?
You can watch The River online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.
How long is The River?
The River runs for 122 minutes (about 2 hours).
Is The River good? What's the rating?
The River holds a 6.4/10 rating based on 139 reviews — a solid pick if the genre interests you.
Who is in the cast of The River?
The main cast includes Mel Gibson, Sissy Spacek, Scott Glenn, and Billy Green Bush, plus a strong supporting ensemble.
Is The River available in English?
Yes — The River was originally produced in English and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV.
When was The River released?
The River was released in 1984.
Do I need an account to watch The River on Bowood.TV?
No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch The River without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
Similar Movies You Might Like
If you enjoyed The River, check out The River Wild, The Bridge on the River Kwai, The Gold Rush, The Host, and Maria am Wasser.
💬 Comments
Join the conversation
Share your thoughts, rate episodes, and connect with other fans
Hey everyone! 👋 Welcome to the discussion.
Feel free to share your thoughts about this series — what did you love, what surprised you, which episodes are your favorites? 🎬
Got ideas for what we should add to Bowood.TV? Want to suggest a series? Drop it here! We read every comment ✨
Similar Movies
Movies like this one
Recommended for You
Based on this movie
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The River
Where can I watch The River for free?
You can watch The River (1984) online for free on Bowood.TV. Just click "Watch Free" on this page to start streaming instantly — no account, subscription, or downloads required.
What is The River about?
The River is a Drama English-language film. Tom and Mae Garvey are a Tennessee farming couple battling violent floods to save their land. In addition to natural disasters, the Garveys fight to stop a selfish land developer and a local corporation from foreclosing on their farm. While Mae stays at home to care for their children and tend to the crops, Tom finds work as a scab at a steel mill to preserve his family's property.
When was The River released?
The River was released on December 1, 1984. It has a runtime of 2h 2m. The film was produced by Universal Pictures.
Who stars in The River?
The River stars Mel Gibson, Sissy Spacek, Scott Glenn and Billy Green Bush. The full cast list is available in the Cast section above.
Is The River available in HD?
Yes, The River is available to stream in high definition (HD) on Bowood.TV. Our players automatically deliver the best quality your connection supports — no extra setup needed.