The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

9/21/19621h 44m

Theatrical Release (US)

Overview:

A rebellious youth, sentenced to a boy’s reformatory for robbing a bakery, rises through the ranks of the institution by impressing its Governor through his prowess as a long distance runner. He is encouraged to compete in an upcoming race, but faces ridicule from his peers.

Director:

Tony Richardson

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$0.00

Revenue:

$0.00

Key words:

prison
sports
rebel
based on short story
kitchen sink realism
borstal

Cast

Michael Redgrave

~ as ~

Ruxton Towers Reformatory Governor

Tom Courtenay

~ as ~

Colin Smith

Avis Bunnage

~ as ~

Mrs. Smith

Alec McCowen

~ as ~

Brown, House Master

James Bolam

~ as ~

Mike

Joe Robinson

~ as ~

Roach

Dervis Ward

~ as ~

Detective

Topsy Jane

~ as ~

Audrey

Julia Foster

~ as ~

Gladys

James Fox

~ as ~

Willy Gunthorpe - Ranley School Runner (uncredited)

View full cast & crew

Reviews (1)

CinemaSerf
Written 7 month(s) ago
7
Tom Courtenay is superb as "Colin Smith" who, along with his pal "Mike" (James Bolam) spends much of his time committing petty crimes to alleviate the boredom of his life. When his father dies, his rather venal mother (Avis Bunnage) can't wait for the insurance money; hooks up almost immediately with another man and this all serves to push "Colin" further into his criminal activities. He is eventually apprehended after robbing a bakery and sent to a reformatory where warden Michael Redgrave spots his abilities as a runner. Determined to help the boy from his path of self-destruction the two begin an uneasy relationship that continues after his release when he must race for his school against a neighbouring private school that has advantage and privilege. It is a superbly paced, considerately directed rite-of-passage story; a young man facing indifference from family and society who lucks out, to some extent, with an authority figure who actually gives a damn. At times bleak, it offers quite an interesting insight into the (lack of) opportunity for many in early sixties Britain. The performances are strong, based on good, solid writing supported well by a few now familiar faces - Edward & James Fox; Frank Finlay and Derek Fowlds.