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This Sporting Life
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This Sporting Life (1963) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 13 | slideshow) Videos
This Sporting Life (1963) -- Trailer: Richard Harris as the wild Frank Manchin

Overview

User Rating:
8.0/10   2,065 votes
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Down 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
David Storey (novel)
David Storey (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for This Sporting Life on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
January 1963 (UK) more
Genre:
Plot:
In Northern England in the early 1960s, Frank Machin is mean, tough and ambitious enough to become an... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 7 nominations more
User Reviews:
Down to earth and brilliant more (43 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (complete, awaiting verification)

Richard Harris ... Frank Machin
Rachel Roberts ... Mrs. Margaret Hammond
Alan Badel ... Gerald Weaver
William Hartnell ... 'Dad' Johnson
Colin Blakely ... Maurice Braithwaite
Vanda Godsell ... Mrs. Anne Weaver
Anne Cunningham ... Judith
Jack Watson ... Len Miller
Arthur Lowe ... Charles Slomer
Harry Markham ... Wade
George Sewell ... Jeff
Leonard Rossiter ... Phillips, Sports writer
Katherine Parr ... Mrs. Farrer
Bernadette Benson ... Lynda Hammond
Andrew Nolan ... Ian Hammond
Peter Duguid ... Doctor
Wallas Eaton ... Waiter
Anthony Woodruff ... Tom, Headwaiter
Michael Logan ... Riley
Murray Evans ... Hooker
Tom Clegg ... Gower
Ken Traill ... Trainer
Frank Windsor ... Dentist
John Gill ... Cameron
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Edward Fox ... Restaurant Barman (uncredited)

Glenda Jackson ... Singer At Party (uncredited)
Graham Roberts ... Bit Part (uncredited)
David Storey ... Rugby Player (uncredited)
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Directed by
Lindsay Anderson 
 
Writing credits
(in alphabetical order)
David Storey  novel
David Storey  screenplay

Produced by
Karel Reisz .... producer
 
Original Music by
Roberto Gerhard 
 
Cinematography by
Denys N. Coop (photographed by) (as Denys Coop)
 
Film Editing by
Peter Taylor 
 
Art Direction by
Alan Withy 
 
Costume Design by
Sophie Devine (dresses)
 
Makeup Department
Ivy Emmerton .... hairdresser
Bob Lawrance .... makeup artist (as Bob Lawrence)
 
Production Management
Albert Fennell .... in charge of production
Geoffrey Haine .... production manager
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ted Sturgis .... assistant director
Ken Softley .... third assistant director (uncredited)
Claude Watson .... second assistant director (uncredited)
 
Art Department
Peter Lamont .... set dresser
Ernie Quick .... propertyman
E.W. Brister .... scenic artist (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Chris Greenham .... sound editor
Gordon K. McCallum .... sound recordist
John W. Mitchell .... sound recordist
Ken Cameron .... dubbing crew (uncredited)
 
Special Effects by
Charles Staffell .... special effects (uncredited)
 
Camera and Electrical Department
John Harris .... camera operator
Neil Binney .... focus puller (uncredited)
George Courtney Ward .... still photographer (uncredited)
 
Casting Department
Miriam Brickman .... casting
 
Editorial Department
Tom Priestley .... assistant editor
 
Music Department
Jacques-Louis Monod .... conductor
Gary Hughes .... composer: additional music (uncredited)
 
Other crew
Pamela Mann .... continuity
 

Production CompaniesDistributorsOther Companies
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Additional Details

Runtime:
134 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Australia:M | UK:15 (video rating) | UK:AA (re-rating) (1970) | UK:X (original rating) | UK:12A (2009) | Finland:K-16 | West Germany:16 (bw)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Because the budget would not stretch to the thousands needed for the rugby league match scenes at Belle Vue, director Lindsay Anderson deployed hundreds of wooden dummies to stand amongst the human extras for the crowd scenes. more
Quotes:
Frank Machin: [to scantily clad nightclub singer] Eh love, show us your personality! more
Movie Connections:
Featured in 50 Films to See Before You Die (2006) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
For He's A Jolly Good Fellow more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
18 out of 28 people found the following review useful.
Down to earth and brilliant, 11 March 2005
8/10
Author: (kevin.wakelam@blueyonder.co.uk) from United Kingdom

Having seen the film several times I can relate to the lifestyle of the characters, I was a child in the sixties and my memories of life back then are reflected in the atmostsphere that the film generates.

I have read various comments about the film looking dated, and yes it does, but it is a true reflection on life at that time.

It is also a great historical piece as many of the towns and sports arena's used in the film have changed drastically or no longer exist.

I particularly remember the MECCA social club in Wakefield and the various coffee bars that surrounded it, Belle Vue where the Rugby League scenes were shot has stayed remarkably unchanged over the years and I still enjoy the atmostsphere as I watch my favourite team Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

To see the massive cooling towers in the background stirs memories of being there on a Saturday afternoon with my late Father Norman.

I have a real soft spot for this film and I'm sorry that I have concentrated on my memories rather than the films content.

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more (43 total)

Message Boards

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Rugby League Phil_Gwilliam
Structure and Fantasy (Spoilers) ndhand
SPOILER WARNING mtkane209
Flashback Structure Flawed? davidarnold
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