The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner poster

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner( 1962)

TV-MADrama
72%
User
Score

Overview

A rebellious youth sentenced to a reformatory for robbing a bakery rises through the ranks of the institution through his prowess as a long distance runner. During his solitary runs, reveries of his life and times before his incarceration lead him to re-evaluate his privileged status as a prized athlete.

    Top Billed Cast

    1. cast image

      Michael Redgrave

      Ruxton Towers Reformatory Governor

    2. cast image

      Tom Courtenay

      Colin Smith

    3. cast image

      Avis Bunnage

      Mrs. Smith

    4. cast image

      Alec McCowen

      Brown, House Master

    5. cast image

      James Bolam

      Mike

    6. cast image

      Joe Robinson

      Roach

    7. cast image

      Dervis Ward

      Detective

    8. cast image

      Topsy Jane

      Audrey

    9. cast image

      Julia Foster

      Gladys

    10. cast image

      James Fox

      Willy Gunthorpe - Ranley School Runner (uncredited)

    11. cast image

      John Thaw

      Bosworth (uncredited)

    12. cast image

      Arthur Mullard

      Chief Borstal Officer (uncredited)

    13. cast image

      Philip Martin

      Stacy (uncredited)

    14. cast image

      John Brooking

      Green (uncredited)

    15. cast image

      Raymond Dyer

      Gordon (uncredited)

    16. cast image

      Anthony Sagar

      Fenton (uncredited)

    17. cast image

      Peter Kriss

      Scott (uncredited)

    18. cast image

      Peter Madden

      Mr. Smith (uncredited)

    19. cast image

      Dallas Cavell

      Lord Jaspers (uncredited)

    20. cast image

      James Cairncross

      Mr. Jones (uncredited)

    21. cast image

      Frank Finlay

      Booking Office Clerk (uncredited)

    22. cast image

      Robert Percival

      Tory Politician (uncredited)

    23. cast image

      Ray Austin

      Harry Craig (uncredited)

    24. cast image

      Derek Fowlds

      Borstal Inmate (uncredited)

    25. cast image

      Billy Murray

      Borstal Inmate (uncredited)

    26. cast image

      Ernest Blyth

      Army Officer at Sports Day (uncredited)

    27. cast image

      Jim Brady

      Man in Cafe (uncredited)

    28. cast image

      John Bull

      Ronalds (uncredited)

    29. cast image

      Peter Duguid

      Doctor (uncredited)

    30. cast image

      Charles Dyer

      Bit Part (uncredited)

    31. cast image

      Edward Fox

      Extra (uncredited)

    32. cast image

      Brian Hammond

      Johnny Smith - Colin's Brother (uncredited)

    33. cast image

      William Ash Hammond

      Johnny Smith - Colin's Brother (uncredited)

    34. cast image

      Victor Harrington

      Army Officer at Sports Day (uncredited)

    35. cast image

      Aileen Lewis

      Sports Day Spectator (uncredited)

    36. cast image

      Fred Machon

      Borstal Master at Meeting (uncredited)

    37. cast image

      Philip Martin

      Stacy (uncredited)

    38. cast image

      Anita Oliver

      Alice Smith - Colin's Sister (uncredited)

    39. cast image

      Christopher Parker

      Bill Smith - Colin's Brother (uncredited)

    40. cast image

      Joe Phelps

      Borstal Master in Workshop (uncredited)

    41. cast image

      Corin Redgrave

      Spectator at Sports Day (uncredited)

    42. cast image

      Doug Robinson

      Prison Warder (uncredited)

    43. cast image

      Robert Vossler

      Plainclothes Policeman (uncredited)

    44. cast image

      John Wilder

      Ranley Headmaster (uncredited)

    45. cast image

      Chris Williams

      Ranley Boy (uncredited)

    Social

    Review 1Discussion

    A review by CinemaSerf

    7
    Written by CinemaSerf on Tue Nov 19 2024
    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 beg...

    Media

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    Facts

    Status

    Released

    Original Language

    English

    Budget

    -

    Revenue

    -

    Keywords

    • prison
    • sports
    • rebel
    • based on short story
    • kitchen sink realism
    • borstal