IMDb > This Sporting Life (1963)
This Sporting Life
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

This Sporting Life (1963) More at IMDbPro »

Videos
This Sporting Life (1963) -- Trailer: Richard Harris as the wild Frank Manchin

Overview

User Rating:
8.0/10   2,019 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
No change in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Lindsay Anderson
Writers:
David Storey (novel)
David Storey (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for This Sporting Life on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
January 1963 (UK) more
Genre:
Drama | Sport more
Plot:
In Northern England in the early 1960s, Frank Machin is mean, tough and ambitious enough to become an... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 7 nominations more
User Comments:
Richard Harris does his best in this depressing drama. more (43 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Richard Harris ... Frank Machin
Rachel Roberts ... Mrs. Margaret Hammond
Alan Badel ... Gerald Weaver
William Hartnell ... 'Dad' Johnson
Colin Blakely ... Maurice Braithwaite
Vanda Godsell ... Mrs. Anne Weaver
Anne Cunningham ... Judith
Jack Watson ... Len Miller
Arthur Lowe ... Charles Slomer
Harry Markham ... Wade
George Sewell ... Jeff
Leonard Rossiter ... Phillips, Sports writer
Katherine Parr ... Mrs. Farrer
Bernadette Benson ... Lynda Hammond
Andrew Nolan ... Ian Hammond
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
134 min
Country:
UK
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Australia:M | UK:15 (video rating) | UK:AA (re-rating) (1970) | UK:X (original rating) | UK:12A (2009) | Finland:K-16 | West Germany:16 (bw)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
It was William Hartnell's appearance in this film that brought him to the attention of Verity Lambert, producer of "Doctor Who" (1963). more
Quotes:
Frank Machin: [to scantily clad nightclub singer] Eh love, show us your personality! more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in 50 Films to See Before You Die (2006) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Here In My Heart more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
29 out of 37 people found the following comment useful.
Richard Harris does his best in this depressing drama., 23 June 2004
10/10
Author: Cjc40 (Cjc40@frontiernet.net) from Rochester, New York

Richard Harris; although one of his best works, plays the rugby man always lusting after the widowed Mrs.Hammond, Rachel Roberts. The two act together until the end which ends in tragedy, but nonetheless, you must see this movie because Richard Harris was nominated for an Academy Award as was Rachel Roberts.If you are not in a mood for a sad ending to your day, save this until morning; it is not for the light hearted. Nonetheless, it is regarded as a classic and is also a movie where Richard Harris is playing a part that was actually something to him. Before getting tuberculosis at age 19, he was a professional rugby player. He regarded this as one of his best movies. It is also one of his earliest movies, so you can think about how young "that Dumbledore guy" was. ---He even sings a song in this movie; long before he knew his career would take him into the singing business. Also something to look forward to in the movie. Anyway, highly recommended!

Camelot and The Field are also two Richard Harris must-sees.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (43 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for This Sporting Life (1963)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
The spider grahamchris
Rugby League Phil_Gwilliam
Structure and Fantasy (Spoilers) ndhand
SPOILER WARNING mtkane209
Flashback Structure Flawed? davidarnold
Content? moviedude298
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Billy Liar Raging Bull The Damned United Apocalypse Now Young Adam
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb UK section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.