The loneliness of the long distance runner

1960s British drama which centres on Colin Smith (Tom Courtenay), a cynical working class youth, who finds himself in a boys' reformatory for robbing a bakery. The governor in charge of the reform school (Michael Redgrave) preaches to his inmates that exercise and physical challenge can permanently destroy a boy's rebellious streak. But Colin is fortunate enough to be on the boss's good side due to his natural running prowess and is offered the chance to train for a race against the local public school. Tensions build as the big day approaches and after a lot of time spent thinking on his lonely runs, Colin might just reconsider his naturally rebellious instincts.

Cast

James Bolam, Avis Bunnage, Tom Courtenay, Julia Foster, Peter Madden, Michael Redgrave, John Thaw, Alec McCowen, Joe Robinson, Dervis Ward

Genres

Classics

Language

English