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This Sporting Life
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Synopsis
Adapted by David Storey from his own novel, This Sporting Life stars Richard Harris as Frank, an athletic coal miner who aspires to the greener pastures of professional rugby. Soon establishing himself as one of the most brutal and arrogant players in the business, Frank begins to amass a fortune. He also falls in love with his landlady, Mrs Hammond (Rachel Roberts), who initially resists his advances. When she finally gives in, their relationship hinges on sex alone, as Frank practically begs Mrs. Hammond to give of herself emotionally and she remains incapable. At the wedding ceremony for one of Frank's teammates, Mrs. Hammond unexpectedly lashes out at her swaggering lover. They split up, but Frank, who until now has equated happiness with wealth, is unable to get over the permanent loss. In the end, with nothing else left, all of Frank's self-worth becomes contingent on his rugby performances, though Frank and the other players are exploited to such a degree that this also proves disastrous. Widely regarded as one of the finest British feature films ever produced, the gritty and bleak This Sporting Life not only marked former documentary filmmaker Lindsay Anderson's first feature, but became one of the harbingers of the 'Angry Young Man' school of filmmaking. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast

Alan Badel Weaver
Colin Blakely Maurice Braithwaite
Wallas Eaton Waiter
John Gill Cameron
Vanda Godsell Mrs. Weaver
William Hartnell Johnson
Arthur Lowe Slomer
Rachel Roberts Mrs. Hammond
Jack Watson Len Miller
Frank Windsor Dentist
Anthony Woodruff Head Waiter
Richard Harris Frank Machin
Anne Cunningham Judith
Katherine Parr Mrs. Farrer
Peter Duguid Doctor

Production Crew

Alan Withy Art Director
David Storey Book Author
John Harris Camera Operator
Miriam Brickman Casting
Denys Coop Cinematographer
Roberto Gerhard Composer (Music Score)
Sophie Devine Costume Designer
Lindsay Anderson Director
Peter Taylor Editor
Ted Sturgis First Assistant Director
Bob Lawrence Makeup
Karel Reisz Producer
Peter Lamont Set Designer
Gordon K. McCallum Sound/Sound Designer
John W. Mitchell Sound/Sound Designer
Year: 1963
Runtime: 134
Country: UK
MPAA Rating:
Category: Feature

Genre
Drama

Produced by
Continental
Independent Artists
Julian Wintle/Leslie Parkyn Productions

Release
by J. Arthur Rank Productions

Awards
1963 - Best Foreign Film - Golden Globe
1963 - Best Picture - National Board of Review
1963 - Best Film - Both Any Source and British - British Academy Awards
1963 - Best Film - Any Source - British Academy of Film and Television
1963 - Best Foreign Film - Hollywood Foreign Press Association
2004 - Film Presented - Toronto International Film Festival