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This Sporting Life (1963)

 -  Drama | Sport  -  January 1963 (UK)
7.7
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Ratings: 7.7/10 from 3,128 users  
Reviews: 60 user | 38 critic

In Northern England in the early 1960s, Frank Machin is mean, tough and ambitious enough to become an immediate star in the rugby league team run by local employer Weaver. Machin lodges ... See full summary »

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(screenplay), (novel)
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Title: This Sporting Life (1963)

This Sporting Life (1963) on IMDb 7.7/10

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Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 7 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Rachel Roberts ...
Mrs. Margaret Hammond
Alan Badel ...
Gerald Weaver
...
'Dad' Johnson
Colin Blakely ...
Maurice Braithwaite
Vanda Godsell ...
Mrs. Anne Weaver
Anne Cunningham ...
Judith
Jack Watson ...
Len Miller
...
Charles Slomer
Harry Markham ...
Wade
George Sewell ...
Jeff
...
Phillips, Sports writer
Katherine Parr ...
Mrs. Farrer
Bernadette Benson ...
Lynda Hammond
Andrew Nolan ...
Ian Hammond
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Storyline

In Northern England in the early 1960s, Frank Machin is mean, tough and ambitious enough to become an immediate star in the rugby league team run by local employer Weaver. Machin lodges with Mrs Hammond, whose husband was killed in an accident at Weaver's, but his impulsive and angry nature stop him from being able to reach her as he would like. He becomes increasingly frustrated with his situation, and this is not helped by the more straightforward enticements of Mrs Weaver. Written by Jeremy Perkins <jwp@aber.ac.uk>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Genres:

Drama | Sport

Certificate:

TV-MA | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

January 1963 (UK)  »

Also Known As:

Lockender Lorbeer  »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Bernadette Benson, the eight-year-old actress who played Lynda Hammond, achieved newspaper publicity in her quest to be exempted from the film's X certificate which prohibited children under the age of 16 from seeing it. She said that it was perverse that she was able to see the rushes of the film as it was being made but was too young to be allowed to see the finished film at the cinema. See more »

Quotes

Frank Machin: We don't have stars in this game, Mrs Weaver, that's soccer.
Mrs. Anne Weaver: What *do* you have?
Frank Machin: People like me.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Arthur Lowe: A Life on the Box (1999) See more »

Soundtracks

"Walking Back to Happiness"
Written by John Schroeder and Mike Hawker
Performed by Kim Leslie
Backed by Tommy Fisher and the Mis-Fits
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Down to earth and brilliant
11 March 2005 | by (United Kingdom) – See all my reviews

Having seen the film several times I can relate to the lifestyle of the characters, I was a child in the sixties and my memories of life back then are reflected in the atmostsphere that the film generates.

I have read various comments about the film looking dated, and yes it does, but it is a true reflection on life at that time.

It is also a great historical piece as many of the towns and sports arena's used in the film have changed drastically or no longer exist.

I particularly remember the MECCA social club in Wakefield and the various coffee bars that surrounded it, Belle Vue where the Rugby League scenes were shot has stayed remarkably unchanged over the years and I still enjoy the atmostsphere as I watch my favourite team Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

To see the massive cooling towers in the background stirs memories of being there on a Saturday afternoon with my late Father Norman.

I have a real soft spot for this film and I'm sorry that I have concentrated on my memories rather than the films content.


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