Sure, 'if....', 'Kes', 'Look Back In Anger' and 'Brief Encounter' (and yes, 'Trainspotting') are all great movies, but I think that this is probably the best of all. There isn't a false note in performance, story, script or characterisation throughout the entire film. It's funny, moving and very powerful, the very best of its kind. 'Loneliness' is also a tremendously underrated film. It rarely features in 'Best Movies' lists, but it certainly deserves to.
shareI agree.
Very good film about a rebellious young men in the early 60's.
I just find this film unremittingly bleak. Why is Britain's view of itself so often grim? Yes, there is the odd funny moment, and without doubt the performances are strong, as is the camera work and editing. But it's difficult to identify or even sympathise with any of the characters.
shareif you'd spent one moment watching this film you would have appreciated that the last thing tom courtenay's character wanted was anyones sympathy. Such a nihillistic end and yet you still imagine sympathy has anything to do with it? 'A sympathetic portrayal of the working classes?' sounds like a fairly patronising concept for a film directed by a middle class director.
shareThe nihilistic attitude is interesting, understandable, and even admirable. People get frustrated with the way things are. But for most athletes (or students, or workers, artist, etc.) to put in the work necessary to be ABLE to win (a race and then choose not to) is not going to happen. The world is as it is.
There is a whole strata of underclass who will hide behind "I could get good grades, but choose not to" "I could be good at a job, but choose not to" "I could be a friendly, nice and sincere person, but choose not to." But the sad truth is their choice is worthless, because they don't have the discipline or ability to do these things.
This film is a silly fantasy for writers and filmmakers (and all artists) who wish the system would change.
Side note, "7 Up" director Michael Apted made his documentary in 1964 (and followed up every seven years since) and in his commentary explained that he intended to show the British class system was bankrupt and that money was the only thing separating the children. He came to acknowledge that was not the case, and his worldview (psuedo-communist, my word) was proved wrong. Just like the worldview of "Loneliness..."
[deleted]
[deleted]
Why is Britain's view of itself so often grim?Because, compared to the U.S., Britain following the two world wars has been bleak, very bleak, especially for the lower classes and those progressively put out of work.
More rubbish. Thanks to the post- ww 2 government a welfare state and NHS was created in Britain. Prosperity was realised in the 1960's as the pompous TV presenter discusses. Stop commenting on something you know nothing about.
Ever tried, ever failed?
No matter.
Try again, fail again.
Fail better.
Britain does not have a narcissistic culture is why we are able to look at life in all its colours, even dark grey tones.
Ever tried, ever failed?
No matter.
Try again, fail again.
Fail better.
This ranks pretty high in my list amongst most viewed and most cherished of films. I think only Les Quatre Cents Coups does better in its portrayal of a snapshot of working class youth. It's a shame, really, that this gem of a movie hasn't been given a Criterion treat for everyone else to enjoy.
Do The Mussolini! Headkick!
A beautiful film. One of the best British films ever withoubt a doubt. I only heard of this one because John Lydon said that it is his favourite.
shareI agree. This is one of the greatest of all British films, a remarkable work in every way: the acting, the jazzy soundtrack, the script (Sillitoe's, I think). Courtenay is brilliant, just brilliant. A very moving, extremely poignant film.
shareit is an excellent film yeah, best british film ever? i'm not sure.. but yes, very powerful and i found the ending to be incredibly tense!
shareEarlier posters have mentioned some competitors for 'best British film,' and all of them are strong contenders, though I think "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" is definitely at the top. Two that have not been mentioned, however, that I think are on the same level are the magnificent "This Sporting Life," with Richard Harris as a desperate rugby player, and "The Entertainer," with Laurence Olivier as a failing music hall comedian. Both films are also unrelentingly bleak, but truly brilliant.
shareThere was, I believe, a short period in British film making (circa 1958-62 or so...) that could be called the British New Wave. Richardson, the director of "Lonliness..." was probably the leader of it and for awhile, there were a handful of distinguished, interesting and experimental films coming out of England including "A Taste of Honey", "This Sporting Life", "Look Back in Anger", etc.
I think it all ended when Richardson helmed "Tom Jones". It's an absolutely wonderful film, one of my favorites and it's impeccably directed by Richardson...but his work after it was never the same. He never again was so daring and experimental as he was in his earlier days.
The prison and the woodland around it, where the races took place, are in Claygate , Surrey, my hometown. It was pretty bleak in '62 but thanks to global warming and the resurgence of Surrey Real Estate prices, the place was recently tagged as "Best Place to live in the U.k." in a BBC survey. - Ron Bottitta
share[deleted]
What about the Powell/ Pressburger films? Like Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, A Matter of Life and Death, The Red Shoes, or Tales of Hoffmann? I think these are all among the very best of British cinema and represent a kind of attack on the social realism of films like Brief Encounter and Fires were Started of the same period. Just because they are often fantasy films does not mean they don't deserve equal, or even greater, status.
share