The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

1962 1h 44m EN

👍

7.2

SOLID

★7.2TMDB · 177

Drama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

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.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Michael Redgrave
Ruxton Towers Reformatory Governor
Tom Courtenay
Colin Smith
Avis Bunnage
Mrs. Smith
Alec McCowen
Brown, House Master
James Bolam
Mike
Joe Robinson
Roach
Dervis Ward
Detective
Topsy Jane
Audrey

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Tony Richardson
Writers: Alan Sillitoe, Alan Sillitoe
Languages: English
Countries: United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 5

ERA

Did you know

64 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 5

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Tony Richardson, shot by Walter Lassally. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 5

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Antony Gibbs shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 5

CAST

Did you know

Michael Redgrave and Tom Courtenay and Avis Bunnage carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 5

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0056194 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Tony Richardson directs. Walter Lassally behind the camera. Antony Gibbs cuts. Produced in United Kingdom. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

164 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
2Directed by Tony Richardson, shot by Walter Lassally. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Editor Antony Gibbs shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
4Michael Redgrave and Tom Courtenay and Avis Bunnage carry the top of the cast.
5IMDB entry: tt0056194 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Walter Lassally
Editing: Antony Gibbs
Production design: Ralph W. Brinton
Costume design: Sophie Devine
Makeup / hair: Bobbie Smith
Runtime: 104 min · 1h 44m
Status: Released
Original language: EN
Certification (US): NR
IMDB: The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)

Also by

Tony Richardson

Trailers & featurettes

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Community reviews

What people are saying

CinemaSerf2024-11-19
★ 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.

Production companies