Movie Cosmos - The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

Description:

A rebellious youth, sentenced to a boy’s reformatory for robbing a bakery, rises through the ranks of the institution by impressing its Governor through his prowess as a long distance runner. He is encouraged to compete in an upcoming race, but faces ridicule from his peers.

Top Cast >

Michael Redgrave

As Ruxton Towers Reformatory Governor

Tom Courtenay

As Colin Smith

Avis Bunnage

As Mrs. Smith

Alec McCowen

As Brown, House Master

James Bolam

As Mike

Joe Robinson

As Roach

Dervis Ward

As Detective

Topsy Jane

As Audrey

Julia Foster

As Gladys

James Fox

As Willy Gunthorpe - Ranley School Runner (uncredited)

John Thaw

As Bosworth (uncredited)

Arthur Mullard

As Chief Borstal Officer (uncredited)

Philip Martin

As Stacy (uncredited)

John Brooking

As Green (uncredited)

Raymond Dyer

As Gordon (uncredited)

Anthony Sagar

As Fenton (uncredited)

Peter Kriss

As Scott (uncredited)

Peter Madden

As Mr. Smith (uncredited)

Dallas Cavell

As Lord Jaspers (uncredited)

James Cairncross

As Mr. Jones (uncredited)

Frank Finlay

As Booking Office Clerk (uncredited)

Robert Percival

As Tory Politician (uncredited)

Ray Austin

As Harry Craig (uncredited)

Derek Fowlds

As Borstal Inmate (uncredited)

Billy Murray

As Borstal Inmate (uncredited)

Ernest Blyth

As Army Officer at Sports Day (uncredited)

Jim Brady

As Man in Cafe (uncredited)

John Bull

As Ronalds (uncredited)

Peter Duguid

As Doctor (uncredited)

Charles Dyer

As Bit Part (uncredited)

Edward Fox

As Extra (uncredited)

Brian Hammond

As Johnny Smith - Colin's Brother (uncredited)

William Ash Hammond

As Johnny Smith - Colin's Brother (uncredited)

Victor Harrington

As Army Officer at Sports Day (uncredited)

Aileen Lewis

As Sports Day Spectator (uncredited)

Fred Machon

As Borstal Master at Meeting (uncredited)

Philip Martin

As Stacy (uncredited)

Anita Oliver

As Alice Smith - Colin's Sister (uncredited)

Christopher Parker

As Bill Smith - Colin's Brother (uncredited)

Joe Phelps

As Borstal Master in Workshop (uncredited)

Corin Redgrave

As Spectator at Sports Day (uncredited)

Doug Robinson

As Prison Warder (uncredited)

Robert Vossler

As Plainclothes Policeman (uncredited)

John Wilder

As Ranley Headmaster (uncredited)

Chris Williams

As Ranley Boy (uncredited)

Top Crew >

Tony Richardson

Director

Reviews:

CinemaSerf (7/10)

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 begin an uneasy relationship that continues after his release when he must race for his school against a neighbouring private school that has advantage and privilege. It is a superbly paced, considerately directed rite-of-passage story; a young man facing indifference from family and society who lucks out, to some extent, with an authority figure who actually gives a damn. At times bleak, it offers quite an interesting insight into the (lack of) opportunity for many in early sixties Britain. The performances are strong, based on good, solid writing supported well by a few now familiar faces - Edward & James Fox; Frank Finlay and Derek Fowlds.

2024-11-19