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The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

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7.2/10 • 151

1962-09-201h 44m

Drama

A rebellious youth, sentenced to a boy’s reformatory for robbing a bakery, rises through the ranks of the institution by impressing its Governor through his prowess as a long distance runner. He is encouraged to compete in an upcoming race, but faces ridicule from his peers.

Directors
Tony Richardson
Editors
Antony Gibbs

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Michael Redgrave

    Michael Redgrave

    Ruxton Towers Reformatory Governor

  2. Tom Courtenay

    Tom Courtenay

    Colin Smith

  3. Avis Bunnage

    Avis Bunnage

    Mrs. Smith

  4. Alec McCowen

    Alec McCowen

    Brown, House Master

  5. James Bolam

    James Bolam

    Mike

  6. Joe Robinson

    Joe Robinson

    Roach

  7. Dervis Ward

    Dervis Ward

    Detective

  8. Topsy Jane

    Topsy Jane

    Audrey

  9. Julia Foster

    Julia Foster

    Gladys

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Nov 19, 2024

7/10

Tom Courtenay is superb as "Colin Smith" who, along with his pal "Mike" (James Bolam) spends much of his time committing petty crimes to alleviate the boredom of his life. When his father dies, his rather venal mother (Avis Bunnage) can't wait for the insurance money; hooks up almost immediately with another man and this all serves to push "Colin" further into his criminal activities. He is eventually apprehended after robbing a bakery and sent to a reformatory where warden Michael Redgrave spots his abilities as a runner. Determined to help the boy from his path of self-destruction the two begin an uneasy relationship that continues after his release when he must race for his school against a neighbouring private school that has advantage and privilege. It is a superbly paced, considerately directed rite-of-passage story; a young man facing indifference from family and society who lucks out, to some extent, with an authority figure who actually gives a damn. At times bleak, it offers quite an interesting insight into the (lack of) opportunity for many in early sixties Britain. The performances are strong, based on good, solid writing supported well by a few now familiar faces - Edward & James Fox; Frank Finlay and Derek Fowlds.

Media

  • The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner poster
  • The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner poster
  • The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner poster
  • The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner poster
  • The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner poster
  • The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner poster
  • The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner poster
  • The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner poster
  • The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
prisonsportsrebelbased on short storykitchen sink realismborstal