This Sporting Life (1963)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Lindsay Anderson

Writers:

David Storey (novel)
David Storey (screenplay)

Release Date:

January 1963 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Sport

Plot:

In Northern England in the early 1960s, Frank Machin is mean, tough and ambitious enough to become an...

Plot Keywords:

Rugby League | Coal Miner | Tough Guy | Self Destruction | Kitchen Sink Realism

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

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

Runtime:

134 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

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)

Filming Locations:

Bolton Priory, Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire, England, UK

Company:

Independent Artists

Trivia:

It was William Hartnell's appearance in this film that brought him to the attention of Verity Lambert, producer of "Doctor Who" (1963).

Quotes:

Frank Machin: [to scantily clad nightclub singer] Eh love, show us your personality!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 50 Films to See Before You Die (2006) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Here In My Heart

Richard Harris does his best in this depressing drama.

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.