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The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner DVD+Blu-ray, 1962

£10.99

RRP: £19.99
You save £9 (45%)

Also available on DVD, Blu-ray

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This product should be despatched within two weeks. Despatched from the UK. Delivery timesUsually 2-3 days to reach UK addresses. Europe takes around 2 days longer and International destinations take 1-2 weeks

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MovieMail's Review

When a liberal borstal governor sees new inmate Smith as a means to fulfilling his dream of winning the upcoming cross-country challenge cup against a public school, he doesn’t allow for him having his own thoughts about being used in such races. ‘He’ll surprise us all’ he says. And so he does, but on his own terms, and with a sly, victorious gleam in his eye too. With its ‘excess of language’ and its protagonist’s class-grounded attitude set to the ironic accompaniment of a fractured ‘Jersualem’, the film – adapted by Alan Sillitoe from his own short story – put censors and critics’ backs up, and Colin Smith’s poker-faced defiance in the face of anyone – governor, psychologist, advertiser, politician – who thinks they can tell him what to do, is still bracing. The film also showcases Walter Lassally’s diversely beautiful, inventive cinematography.

Graeme Hobbs on 2nd March 2009
View all 262 of Graeme Hobbs's reviews

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

Film Information

Director - Tony Richardson

Produced - 1962

Main Language - English

Countries & Regions - British Film

Cast - Tom Courtenay, Michael Redgrave, John Thaw, James Bolam

DVD+Blu-ray Details

Certificate:	12	Publisher:	BFI	Region:	2
Length:	100 mins	Cat No:	BFIB1111
Format:	DVD+Blu-ray B&W

DVD+Blu-ray Extras

2 discs
Commentary by film historian Robert Murphy, with lead actor Tom Courtenay and writer Alan Sillitoe
Video essay by cinematographer Walter Lassally
Momma Don’t Allow (1956), Tony Richardson’s Free Cinema documentary shot by Walter Lassally
Illustrated booklet including essays and biographies.

Film Description

In The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, Tom Courtenay - in only his second film role - stars as the petulant borstal boy Colin Smith, who certainly isn't going to let the authorities get control of him. Singled out for his running ability, he is selected to compete against a public school and starts a training programme to get him up to speed - but he's got his own ideas of how to run the race. Adapted by Alan Sillitoe from his own short story, this is a subversive piece of cinema and a key work in the British New Wave.

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Barry Forshaw on 24th February 2003

If Tony Richardson's film wears less well than Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, that may be because it was never in the same class as a piece of filmmaking. Neverthe... more >