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From Amazon.co.uk
Prolific British filmmaker Lindsay Anderson weaves this small, evocative tale of young life at the crossroads in early 1960s Northern England. A rough, sullen young man (Richard Harris) working in the local coal mines begins to make a name for himself as a star rugby player, but even as he begins to fall in love he cannot escape the harsh realities of the bleak life around him. The rugby sequences in the film are striking, but no more so than the depiction of downtrodden people living in the shadow of industry and corruption that too often crushes their spirit. Harris in one of his first roles, is remarkably effective as an unlikeable but sympathetic figure trying against hope to savour the small joys life has to offer, and the film also features the debut of renowned actress Glenda Jackson. One of a series of working-class, character-driven British imports, This Sporting Life is one of the best on the field. --Robert Lane
Product Description
Yorkshire miner turned rugby player Frank Machin (Richard Harris) has a number of women chasing after him, but only has eyes for his widowed landlady, Mrs Hammond (Rachel Roberts). However, she remains resolutely unresponsive to his advances. Meanwhile, Frank's rebelliousness at the club is tolerated as long as he is successful on the pitch, but as he comes to appreciate the emptiness of his existence his frustration begins to mount.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Don't believe any of the stupid and insulting reviews of this film left here by people who are obviously out of sympathy with what it is trying to achieve. This represents the high-point of British film-making: a film about British people made FOR British people - in stark contrast to the junk we tend to produce today, sending ourselves up for the jollification of American onanists. Harris was never as impressive as this again and Rachel Roberts gives a heart-breaking performance as his landlady/love interest (sort of). The supporting cast is impeccable and as for the ending....absolutely devastating. No sense of it being rushed at all - absolutely perfect and right.
Be warned, though: this film is sugar and anaesthetic-free, largely unleavened by humour (and none the worse for that, I'd say). Anyone interested in BRITISH film-making (as opposed to 'films made in Britain') needs to see this film.
Be warned, though: this film is sugar and anaesthetic-free, largely unleavened by humour (and none the worse for that, I'd say). Anyone interested in BRITISH film-making (as opposed to 'films made in Britain') needs to see this film.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By M. J. Nelson
Format:DVD
Having been a Rugby League player himself David Storey, author of both the original novel and the screenplay, knew what he was writing about. But the sporting background, characterised by the often brutal nature of the Rugby League game, is properly subsumed by a story of two people - the miner/player Frank Machin (Richard Harris) and the still young widow Margaret Hammond (Rachel Roberts) with whom he lodges - whose relationship is fatally flawed by the inherently violent nature of the former and the inherently repressed nature of the latter. The setting of a grim Northern town rings true, the match scenes, filmed in Wakefield, are vividly staged, the performances of the principals are outstanding and the rawness and passion of the story climaxes in a genuine - and heartbreaking - tragedy. This has some claim to be the finest of the North of England-based New Wave British films of the period.
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By It's me!
Format:DVD
Uncompromising, claustrophobic, grubby, pitiless, deadly - this film succeeds in describing the essence of the industrial North before the winds of social change emanating from Swinging London really started to make themselves felt. It is almostly certainly cinema's most 'honest' portrayal of the British working-class milieu in the early-'sixties. For this reason alone it is well worth seeing, but it also features fine acting performances, not only from the two leads, but also from a surprisingly strong supporting cast, which includes a number of household names from the era.
One word of caution concerning this particular presentation: whether due to the original mono soundtrack or the DVD manufacturers/distributors, the audio is poor throughout the film and dialogue occasionally difficult to follow. Subtitles are however provided.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's about time you took that rock of weight off your shoulders.
This Sporting Life is directed by Lindsay Anderson and written by David Storey. It stars Richard Harris, Rachel Roberts, Alan Badel, William Hartnell, Colin Blakely, Vanda Godsell... Read more
Published 9 days ago by Spike Owen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
The service for this was amazing, it arrived in three days, in great condition. I got this for my Dad for Christmas and he absolutely adores it! Would definitely recommend it! :)
Published 4 months ago by Abbey Woods
5.0 out of 5 stars
Harris Does Brando
It is remarkable to think that master (albeit sporadic) film-maker Lindsay Anderson's 1963 film This Sporting Life was actually his feature debut. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Keith M
5.0 out of 5 stars
Showed Hollywood what we could do....
To my mind, and to many others, This Sporting Life is the essential, character-driven British exponent of that 1960's realism, 'kitchen sink' drama. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Tim Kidner
4.0 out of 5 stars
Scorching Sport-Centered Drama That's Still Angry After All These...
"This Sporting Life." (1963). A true black and white British classic, a scorching sport-centred drama, helmed by prolific director Lindsay Anderson (O Lucky Man Special Edition... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Stephanie DePue
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Story of Unrequited Love
When I first saw this great film, a good few years ago, I was haunted by Richard Harris's Frank Machin, registering his struggle both off and on the rugby field while somehow... Read more
Published 24 months ago by John Garth Raubenheimer
3.0 out of 5 stars
Could do with 10 minutes cut.
A great first hour. But indulgent and ponderous in the last 30 minutes. A shame because it prevents it from being a great classic instead of just a good film. Read more
Published on 17 May 2011 by Mrs. Susan E. A. Andrews
3.0 out of 5 stars
This sporting life
A difficult fi;m to watch in some ways but strong, and Oscar nominated, performances from its two leads and an extraordinary, vivid depiction of life in an industrial, northern... Read more
Published on 24 Feb 2011 by Stuart Suckling
5.0 out of 5 stars
Watch It
for a powerful emotional experience.This film is depressing and negative and not at all easy to watch-but it is one of the great British films,the chemistry between Richard Harris... Read more
Published on 13 Nov 2010 by Mw Puleston
4.0 out of 5 stars
Impressive, assured first feature by Lindsay Anderson
A working class-class young man (Richard Harris) makes his mark as a particularly violent, tough rugby player, while trying, in his awkward, coarse way to seduce his landlady... Read more
Published on 20 Oct 2010 by K. Gordon
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