This Sporting Life Movie Review 1963

A gritty, depressing portrait of former coal miner Frank Machin (Harris), who breaks into the violent world of professional rugby, and whose inability to handle social differences causes problems. He begins an affair with widow Mrs. Hammond (Roberts), from whom he rents a room, but finds they are capable of only a physical attachment. One of the best of the British early '60s working-class angry young man melodramas.

Distribution

Paramount Home Video, 5555 Melrose Ave., 5555 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038, Phone: (323)956-5000, URL: http://www.paramount.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 134 minutes.
Originally from British.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Wrong Side of the Tracks, Sports Dramas

Screenplay

David Storey

Cast

Richard Harris, Rachel Roberts, Alan Badel, William Hartnell, Colin Blakely, Vanda Godsell, Arthur Lowe

Cinematography

Denys Coop

Director

Lindsay Anderson

Music

Roberto Gerhard

Producer

Independent Artists, J. Arthur Rank

Awards

British Acad. 1963: Actress (Roberts); Cannes 1963: Actor (Harris).