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This Sporting Life

  • 19631963
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 2h 14m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
6.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
This Sporting Life (1963)
Richard Harris as the wild Frank Manchin in this trailer
Play trailer2:24
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Sport
Despite success on the field, a rising rugby star senses the emerging emptiness of his life as his inner angst begins to materialize through aggression and brutality, so he attempts to woo h... Read allDespite success on the field, a rising rugby star senses the emerging emptiness of his life as his inner angst begins to materialize through aggression and brutality, so he attempts to woo his landlady in hopes of finding reason to live.Despite success on the field, a rising rugby star senses the emerging emptiness of his life as his inner angst begins to materialize through aggression and brutality, so he attempts to woo his landlady in hopes of finding reason to live.
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
6.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Lindsay Anderson
  • Writer
    • David Storey(based on the novel by)
  • Stars
    • Richard Harris
    • Rachel Roberts
    • Alan Badel
Top credits
  • Director
    • Lindsay Anderson
  • Writer
    • David Storey(based on the novel by)
  • Stars
    • Richard Harris
    • Rachel Roberts
    • Alan Badel
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 84User reviews
    • 54Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 4 wins & 10 nominations total

    Videos1

    This Sporting Life
    Trailer 2:24
    This Sporting Life

    Photos158

    Richard Harris in This Sporting Life (1963)
    Richard Harris and Rachel Roberts in This Sporting Life (1963)
    Richard Harris and Rachel Roberts in This Sporting Life (1963)
    Richard Harris and Rachel Roberts in This Sporting Life (1963)
    Richard Harris and Rachel Roberts in This Sporting Life (1963)
    This Sporting Life (1963)
    This Sporting Life (1963)
    This Sporting Life (1963)
    This Sporting Life (1963)
    This Sporting Life (1963)
    This Sporting Life (1963)
    This Sporting Life (1963)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Richard Harris
    Richard Harris
    • Frank Machinas Frank Machin
    Rachel Roberts
    Rachel Roberts
    • Mrs. Hammondas Mrs. Hammond
    Alan Badel
    Alan Badel
    • Weaveras Weaver
    William Hartnell
    William Hartnell
    • Johnsonas Johnson
    Colin Blakely
    Colin Blakely
    • Maurice Braithwaiteas Maurice Braithwaite
    Vanda Godsell
    Vanda Godsell
    • Mrs. Weaveras Mrs. Weaver
    Anne Cunningham
    • Judithas Judith
    Jack Watson
    Jack Watson
    • Len Milleras Len Miller
    Arthur Lowe
    Arthur Lowe
    • Slomeras Slomer
    Harry Markham
    • Wadeas Wade
    George Sewell
    George Sewell
    • Jeffas Jeff
    Leonard Rossiter
    Leonard Rossiter
    • Phillipsas Phillips
    Katherine Parr
    • Mrs. Farreras Mrs. Farrer
    • (as Katharine Parr)
    Bernadette Benson
    • Lyndaas Lynda
    Andrew Nolan
    • Ianas Ian
    Peter Duguid
    • Doctoras Doctor
    Wallas Eaton
    • Waiteras Waiter
    Anthony Woodruff
    • Head Waiteras Head Waiter
    • Director
      • Lindsay Anderson
    • Writer
      • David Storey(based on the novel by) (screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Richard Harris became a star in movies as a result of his performance as Frank Machin, although the film itself was not a box-office hit despite generally favorable reviews.
    • Goofs
      In reality, it would have taken years of training for Frank Machin to become a professional rugby player.
    • Quotes

      Frank Machin: We don't have stars in this game, Mrs Weaver, that's soccer.

      Mrs. Anne Weaver: What *do* you have?

      Frank Machin: People like me.

    • Connections
      Featured in Free Cinema (1986)
    • Soundtracks
      Here In My Heart
      (uncredited)

      Written by Pat Genaro, Lou Levinson and Bill Borrelli

      Performed by Richard Harris

    User reviews84

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    60's British Film-making 101
    You know, the more I watch English movies from the 1960's, the more I fall in love with them, Films like I'm all Right Jack, Darling, Alfie, and now, This Sporting Edge, always feature the U.K. as this gritty place, where living is tough, and the people are tougher. Now, whether that's true to life I'm not sure (though I'd be interested to find out) but I sure get a kick out of these films, and I'm glad to add This Sporting Life to that list.

    Richard Harris just acts the hell out of his role as a Miner who finds his forte as a star Rugby player. Let's stop here. Why aren't there any more Rugby movies? Soccer and Boxing are always popular sports in movies, but Rugby seems to be sadly neglected. Perhaps they thought this was the definitive movie on this subject? Anyways, Richard Harris's character, Frank Machin, maybe is a brilliant rugby player, but sort of not so in life, but that doesn't stop him from trying to succeed with what he has. The rich people, who of course, have control over the teams, give him some opportunities to move up in the Rugby world.. Some which he's comfortable with, like dropping his Father like a hot potato, other conditions, he's left wondering how low he has to go to make it big. Oooh.

    So while Machin is trying to move up in the Rugby world, at home, he's trying to make the the move on his INCREDIBLY repressed landlady, played by Rachel Roberts. Who's that? I've never heard of her up to this movie, and seeing her in this makes me want to see more of her, because she's fabulous in this.

    All in all, a great view.
    helpful•29
    12
    • Spuzzlightyear
    • Jul 27, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 22, 1963 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Lockender Lorbeer
    • Filming locations
      • Bolton Priory, Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Independent Artists
      • Julian Wintle/Leslie Parkyn Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross worldwide
      • $813
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 14 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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