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      The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

      1962, Drama, 1h 43m

      23 Reviews 1,000+ Ratings

      What to know

      Critics Consensus

      Dry and full of angst, this British New Wave classic features potent social commentary and a star making performance by Tom Courtenay as a textbook example of the "angry young man." Read critic reviews

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      The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner  Photos

      The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962) The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962) The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962) The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962) The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962) The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)

      Movie Info

      Fleet-footed Colin Smith (Tom Courtenay) is a rebellious teenager in the poverty-stricken town of Nottingham, in northern England, who enjoys running as an escape from his harsh reality. Caught stealing cash from a bakery, Colin is sent to a reform school where the manipulative governor (Michael Redgrave) promotes sports as rehabilitation by enlisting Colin in a foot race against a prestigious rival school. What the governor doesn't realize is that Colin is not so easily disciplined.

      • Genre: Drama

      • Original Language: English

      • Director: Tony Richardson

      • Producer: Tony Richardson

      • Writer: Alan Sillitoe, Alan Sillitoe

      • Release Date (Theaters):  wide

      • Release Date (Streaming):

      • Runtime:

      • Distributor: Continental Distributing Inc.

      • Production Co: Woodfall Film Productions, Bryanston Films Ltd., British Lion Film Corporation

      Cast & Crew

      Critic Reviews for The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

      Audience Reviews for The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

      • Feb 15, 2020

        Appropriately angry as it is one of the definitive films of the British New Wave. Tom Courtenay gives a hell of a performance, especially with his eyes.

        Super Reviewer
      • Dec 16, 2016

        The ending is divisive, but nonetheless this is a decent British film for fans of Ken Loach.

        Super Reviewer
      • Apr 07, 2011

        While The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner is a beautifully bleak story about a reform school kid and for good or ill, the choices he makes. Great direction and cinematography along with a great debut performance by Tom Courtenay are definitely the highlights of this movie, but what I really liked was the flashback-told story and buildup to a truly well-done finale. Out of all the "angry young man" movies I've seen, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner was the best because it actually explained WHY its protagonist was the way he was as opposed to making you endure the behavior of a raving dipshit.

        Super Reviewer
      • Feb 10, 2011

        Ahh Mother,why oh why oh why oh why, don't they make them like they used to? Forget your Guy Richie crime capers,'Loneliness of the long distance runner' is British cinema at its best. I can't explain why I love this film (erm so why I am I here?), whenever I try to explain the plot to friends they look perplexed as to why the film should be so good. Tom Courtenay is in his element in his portrayal as the 'loveable rogue'. Has 'Jerusalem' ever been more poignantly sung as it has here? Im not urging you to go out and purchase the film, but if you have a spare 90 odd minutes and it comes on television then watch it. Ta.

        Super Reviewer

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