Billy Liar (1963)

A lazy, irresponsible young clerk (Sir Tom Courtenay) in provincial Northern England lives in his own fantasy world and makes emotionally immature decisions as he alienates friends and family.

Director:

John Schlesinger

Writers:

Keith Waterhouse (screenplay), Willis Hall (screenplay)

Stars:

Tom Courtenay, Julie Christie, Wilfred Pickles

Nominated for 6 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Tom Courtenay	...	Billy Fisher
Wilfred Pickles	...	Geoffrey Fisher
Mona Washbourne	...	Alice Fisher
Ethel Griffies	...	Grandma Florence
Finlay Currie	...	Duxbury
Gwendolyn Watts	...	Rita
Helen Fraser	...	Barbara
Julie Christie	...	Liz
Leonard Rossiter	...	Emanuel Shadrack
Rodney Bewes	...	Arthur Crabtree
George Innes	...	Stamp
Leslie Randall	...	Danny Boon
Patrick Barr	...	Insp. MacDonald
Ernest Clark	...	Prison Governor
Godfrey Winn	...	Disc Jockey

Storyline

A young British clerk in a gloomy North Country undertaker's office, Billy (Sir Tom Courtenay) is bombarded daily by the propaganda of the media that all things are for the asking. This transparently false doctrine, coupled with the humdrum job and his wild imagination, leads him on frequent flights to "Ambrosia", a mythical kingdom where he is crowned King, General, lover, or any idealized hero the real situation of the moment makes him desire. His vacillating commitment and post-adolescent immaturity have created situations which make Ambrosia all the more attractive. He's succeeded in becoming engaged to two different girls, simultaneously, while in love with a third, Liz (Julie Christie). He's in hot water with his employer, having spent a rather large sum of postage money on his personal frivolities. And last, but not least, his dream of becoming a highly-paid, famous scriptwriter in London seems to be doomed to failure. The only person in his life capable of bringing him down to...

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Plot Keywords:

train | liar | compulsive liar | kitchen sink realism | based on novel | 

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Taglines:

one guy... three girls... one ring!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 December 1963 (USA)

Also Known As:

Lažov Bili

Filming Locations:

37 Hinchcliffe Avenue, Baildon, West Yorkshire, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,785, 19 November 2000, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$35,609, 3 December 2000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Vic Films Productions, Waterfall Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Considering this movie's uses of "pissed", "bastard", and numerous "bloody"s, it was passed with an "A" (now PG) cinema certificate by the BBFC after the removal of one line of dialogue. This was "What you wanted me to do that night", and was said by Liz (Julie Christie) to Billy (Sir Tom Courtenay) during their walk in the park. The line was later restored in all video and DVD releases.

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Quotes

Rita: [after Billy reopens the door] You rotten. lying, crossed-eyed git. You're nothing else.
William Terrence 'Billy' Fisher: [clearly not wanting her to come inside] Hello, Rita. Sorry, I can't ask you in. We're havin' our chimney swept.
Rita: They'll be havin' you swept before I finish.

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Connections

Referenced in Rushmore (1998)

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Soundtracks

Song of the Clyde
(uncredited)
Lyrics by R.Y. Bell
Music by Ian Gourlay
Performed by Kenneth McKellar

User Reviews

Very Original Early Schlesinger Work

Billy Liar is basically an autobiographical film for anyone who loves to daydream and get away with mischief. I loved Courtenay's performance and the style of comedy in the film(Billy as a soldier fantasizing about killing the annoying people in his life)is funny and original