IMDb >
This Sporting Life (1963)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsThis Sporting Life (1963) More at IMDbPro »
| Videos |
|
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
January 1963 (UK)
more
Plot:
In Northern England in the early 1960s, Frank Machin is mean, tough and ambitious enough to become an...
more
| add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars.
Another 2 wins
&
7 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(4 articles)
Four Angry Young Men: Richard Burton, Albert Finney, Richard Harris, Tom Courtenay
(From Alternative Film Guide. 26 October 2009, 1:53 PM, PDT)
Funeral Arrangements for Richard Harris
(From WENN. 29 October 2002)
(From Alternative Film Guide. 26 October 2009, 1:53 PM, PDT)
Funeral Arrangements for Richard Harris
(From WENN. 29 October 2002)
User Comments:
60's British Film-making 101
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 |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
134 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
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)
Filming Locations:
Company:
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:
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.
more
Mrs. Anne Weaver: What *do* you have?
Frank Machin: People like me.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured 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.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 |
Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| 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:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Drama section | IMDb UK section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |
You know, the more I watch English movies from the 1960's, the more I fall in love with them, Films like I'm all Right Jack, Darling, Alfie, and now, This Sporting Edge, always feature the U.K. as this gritty place, where living is tough, and the people are tougher. Now, whether that's true to life I'm not sure (though I'd be interested to find out) but I sure get a kick out of these films, and I'm glad to add This Sporting Life to that list.
Richard Harris just acts the hell out of his role as a Miner who finds his forte as a star Rugby player. Let's stop here. Why aren't there any more Rugby movies? Soccer and Boxing are always popular sports in movies, but Rugby seems to be sadly neglected. Perhaps they thought this was the definitive movie on this subject? Anyways, Richard Harris's character, Frank Machin, maybe is a brilliant rugby player, but sort of not so in life, but that doesn't stop him from trying to succeed with what he has. The rich people, who of course, have control over the teams, give him some opportunities to move up in the Rugby world.. Some which he's comfortable with, like dropping his Father like a hot potato, other conditions, he's left wondering how low he has to go to make it big. Oooh.
So while Machin is trying to move up in the Rugby world, at home, he's trying to make the the move on his INCREDIBLY repressed landlady, played by Rachel Roberts. Who's that? I've never heard of her up to this movie, and seeing her in this makes me want to see more of her, because she's fabulous in this.
All in all, a great view.