THIS SPORTING LIFE

Year: 1963
UK: Park Circus
Cast: Richard Harris, Rachel Roberts, Alan Badel, William Hartnell, William Hartnell, Colin Blakely, Vanda Godsell, Anne Cunningham, Jack Watson, Arthur Lowe, Harry Markham, George Sewell, Leonard Rossiter, Katherine Parr, Bernadette Benson, Andrew Nolan
Director: Lindsay Anderson
Country: UK
UK: 133 mins
UK Certificate: 12A contains moderate sex and violence
UK Release Date: 5 June 2009 (Limited Re-release)
UK Distributor
ICA

Synopsis

Richard Harris plays Frank Machin, a miner who lodges with a widow, Mrs Margaret Hammond (Rachel Roberts). His competitive nature and powerful physique mean that when he reads of the success and respect gained by the local rugby team, he decides to join and share in the glory.

As his career progresses, his brutal nature distances him from those around him. He and Mrs Hammond have a volatile relationship. In a rage, he leaves, but when he finds out she has been taken ill he rushes to her side. Her death leads to him seeing what he has become.