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This Sporting Life [DVD] [1963] [US Import]
 
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This Sporting Life [DVD] [1963] [US Import]

DVD ~ Richard Harris
4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

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This Sporting Life [1963] [DVD]
55% buy
This Sporting Life [1963] [DVD] 3.3 out of 5 stars (3)
£9.98
This Sporting Life [DVD] [1963] [US Import]
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This Sporting Life [DVD] [1963] [US Import] 4.2 out of 5 stars (4)
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Product details

  • Actors: Richard Harris, Rachel Roberts, Alan Badel, William Hartnell, Colin Blakely
  • Directors: Lindsay Anderson
  • Format: Black & White, Colour, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, PAL
  • Language English
  • Region: All Regions
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: Unrated (US MPAA rating. See details.)
  • Studio: Image Entertainment
  • DVD Release Date: 1 Dec 1998
  • Run Time: 134 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: 6305186642
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 135,432 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

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Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
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

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Customer Reviews

4 Reviews
5 star:
 (2)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars "This Sporting Life" improves with time., 22 Feb 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: This Sporting Life [VHS] [1963] (VHS Tape)
"This Sporting Life" remains a cornerstone of British cinema. Lindsay Anderson's remarkable understanding of the original source material echoes with the political turmoil of the early sixties at the same time as it reminds us that the British New Wave was its own voice. Contrary to critics of the period who denounced this film as derivative of nouvelle vague filmmaking, Anderson and his remarkable team shot the world of class and culture as none had done before. The ragged use of black and white, coupled with a lack of slickness that only compunds the reality of the piece, places us squarely in the squalid and often gritty world of men's locker rooms, desperately lonely rowhouses and heartless luxury. Richard Harris creates a character achingly out of reach of his own emotions and thoughts and Rachel Roberts succeeds as the widow who, sadly, knows nothing but emptiness and tragedy. Both of these actors do the finest work of their careers and they are supported by a quietly powerful ensemble that helps to explain why this period in British filmmaking continues to resonate.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars This Sporting Life, 25 Nov 2004
This review is from: This Sporting Life (DVD) [1963] (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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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful English drama, 2 Feb 2004
This review is from: This Sporting Life (DVD) [1963] (DVD)
This drama offers a gripping story and outstanding performances. The affair between a frigid widow and a professional rugby player who carries the violence of the football field into his personal life is painfully detailed and will have you captivated throughout the whole film.
A powerful film characteristic of the British dramas of the 50’s and 60’s based on working class life in rural England. Director Lindsay Anderson is one of the major contributors to this genre.
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 		 Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars It's cliched up north
Lindsay Anderson's This Sporting Life now seems more a mishmash of influences than an enduring classic. Read more
Published on 9 Sep 2006 by Trevor Willsmer

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