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The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

  • 19621962
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
8.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)
Official Trailer
Play trailer3:10
1 Video
17 Photos
  • Drama
  • Sport
A young thief takes up long-distance running when he is sent to a borstal.A young thief takes up long-distance running when he is sent to a borstal.A young thief takes up long-distance running when he is sent to a borstal.
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
8.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Tony Richardson
  • Writer
    • Alan Sillitoe(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Michael Redgrave
    • Tom Courtenay
    • Avis Bunnage
Top credits
  • Director
    • Tony Richardson
  • Writer
    • Alan Sillitoe(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Michael Redgrave
    • Tom Courtenay
    • Avis Bunnage
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 70User reviews
    • 47Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 BAFTA Award
      • 5 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner
    Trailer 3:10
    The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

    Photos17

    Tom Courtenay in The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)
    Tom Courtenay and Philip Martin in The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)
    Tom Courtenay in The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)
    Tom Courtenay in The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)
    Tom Courtenay in The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)
    Topsy Jane in The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)
    Joe Robinson in The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)
    Tom Courtenay in The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)
    Tom Courtenay in The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)
    Tom Courtenay, Michael Redgrave, and Tony Richardson in The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)
    Tom Courtenay in The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)
    Tom Courtenay in The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael Redgrave
    Michael Redgrave
    • Ruxton Towers Reformatory Governoras Ruxton Towers Reformatory Governor
    Tom Courtenay
    Tom Courtenay
    • Colin Smithas Colin Smith
    Avis Bunnage
    Avis Bunnage
    • Mrs. Smithas Mrs. Smith
    Alec McCowen
    Alec McCowen
    • Mr. Brownas Mr. Brown
    James Bolam
    James Bolam
    • Mikeas Mike
    Joe Robinson
    Joe Robinson
    • Mr. Roachas Mr. Roach
    Dervis Ward
    • Detectiveas Detective
    Topsy Jane
    • Audreyas Audrey
    Julia Foster
    Julia Foster
    • Gladysas Gladys
    Ray Austin
    Ray Austin
    • Harry Craigas Harry Craig
    • (uncredited)
    Ernest Blyth
    • Army Officer at Sports Dayas Army Officer at Sports Day
    • (uncredited)
    John Brooking
    • Greenas Green
    • (uncredited)
    John Bull
    • Ronaldsas Ronalds
    • (uncredited)
    James Cairncross
    • Mr. Jonesas Mr. Jones
    • (uncredited)
    Dallas Cavell
    Dallas Cavell
    • Lord Jaspersas Lord Jaspers
    • (uncredited)
    Peter Duguid
    • Doctoras Doctor
    • (uncredited)
    Charles Dyer
    Charles Dyer
    • Bit Partas Bit Part
    • (uncredited)
    Raymond Dyer
    • Gordonas Gordon
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Tony Richardson
    • Writer
      • Alan Sillitoe(screenplay) (short story)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Producer and Director Tony Richardson continued to insist on selecting filming locations, which he'd begun with A Taste of Honey (1961), the first British movie shot entirely outside of a studio. According to Cinematographer Walter Lassally, location work was very difficult to sell to British movie financiers at the time. "They were afraid that a lack of sunlight would delay the shooting interminably. It was impossible to convince them that for greater realism, it was actually desirable to shoot exteriors without sun."
    • Goofs
      Early in the movie, when the new boys are in the van on the way to the borstal, they are shown in handcuffs and chains; when they emerge from the van, the restraints are gone. However, one of their guards is heard referring to removing their restraints after they pass through the outer gate.
    • Quotes

      Colin Smith: Running's always been a big thing in our family, especially running away from the police.

    • Connections
      Featured in Free Cinema (1986)
    • Soundtracks
      Jerusalem
      Music by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry (uncredited)

      Lyrics by William Blake (uncredited)

      Sung by the lads in the audience at the close of the concert scene

      Several instrumental variations of the melody are heard throughout the soundtrack

    User reviews70

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    The Loveliness of the Black & White Cinema
    Rambling thoughts: A very good movie, really capturing the sense of futility of lower class British existence. The desolate beauty of gray, cold and damp England comes through in wonderful ranges of color; despite being a black and white film, there is a huge variety of tone in the photography. You can almost smell the wet leaves of the forests and hills, and feel the cold of the morning air as you follow the runners on their daily jogs. England's rich heritage of distance running makes it an apt subject. Distance running, which I do enjoy myself, is primarily a solitary activity, designed for bona-fide introverts, "angry young men", obsessive individuals who do not mind pain, and in some cases, may actually enjoy it. England, with its crummy weather, economy, history and hugely varied terrain, is particularly well-suited to the sport. Courtenay is a treasure; we are so fortunate to still have him around. It is a wonder to gaze upon his youthful gauntness, and then to see how his appearance has evolved over the years. Really sharp viewers will be able to spot a very young Inspector Morse, John Thaw, as one of the young inmates.
    helpful•38
    4
    • givnaw
    • Oct 2, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 8, 1962 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Die Einsamkeit des Langstreckenläufers
    • Filming locations
      • Riddlesdown Quarry, Whyteleafe, Surrey, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Woodfall Film Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 44 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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