Billy Liar
1963
BILLY LIAR was an immediate sensation as first a novel, then a hit play--both written by Keith Waterhouse, who also served as screenwriter on the film. Director John Schlesinger's screen version was a British landmark in the fertile cinema of the late 1950s and early '60s, and launched the career of Julie Christie, who plays .. Read more
| Starring | Tom Courtenay, Julie Christie, Wilfred Pickles, Mona Washbourne |
|---|---|
| Director | John Schlesinger |
| Genres | Comedy |
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Billy Liar
BILLY LIAR was an immediate sensation as first a novel, then a hit play--both written by Keith Waterhouse, who also served as screenwriter on the film. Director John Schlesinger's screen version was a British landmark in the fertile cinema of the late 1950s and early '60s, and launched the career of Julie Christie, who plays Liz, one of Billy's flames. A young Englishman named Billy Fisher (Tom Courtenay) dreams of escaping from his dull working-class family and his dead-end job as an undertaker's assistant. In constant conflict with his parents and with the many women with whom he is romantically involved (he is engaged to two), Billy regularly escapes into a rich fantasy world. Sometimes he imagines himself to be the powerful dictator of a small country. In another fantasy, he wants to become the scriptwriter for a popular comedian on television. Unfortunately, he often blurs the line between fantasy and reality, which is exactly the reason that everybody calls him 'Billy Liar'.
| Starring | Tom Courtenay, Julie Christie, Wilfred Pickles, Mona Washbourne, Finlay Currie, Rodney Bewes, Leonard Rossiter, Gwendolyn Watts, Ethel Griffies |
|---|---|
| Director | John Schlesinger |
| Studio | STUDIO CANAL PLUS OPTIMUM |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 34 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Comedy |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 25 Feb 2002 Production year: 1963 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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A hit on page and stage, Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall's Billy Liar was brought to the screen by John Schlesinger as a faultless blend of social realism and satirical fantasy. Tom Courtenay is at his career best — so far — as the undertaker's assistant who escapes from his mundane existence into the neverland of Ambrosia, where he is supreme dictator. The performances around him are all first rate, notably Julie Christie and Helen Fraser as two of the three women in his life, Wilfred Pickles and Mona Washbourne as his long-suffering parents, and Leonard Rossiter as his humourless boss. A must-see.
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Flawed only by its unsuitable CinemaScope ratio, this is a brilliant urban comedy of its time, seminal in acting, theme, direction and permissiveness.
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Most helpful member's review
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11 out of 11 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Definitely one of the best British films ever
Capturing the change in Britain around the time it was made, it'd make a great film to watch before Blow-Up. A British classic which spoke volumes to me.
Non-judgemental, funny and warm in parts,it really does give you a feel for the change in British society as the 60s were kicking in. Despite the fantasies that Billy has, the film is entrenched firmly in reality and gives honest and realistic reactions to the situations that arise in the film. -
Most recent members' review
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
best ever comedy !
This is the best comedy of it's era - it is side-splittingly funny and Tom Courtney is brilliant in the lead role -his acting range is amazing ! It is also a wonderful dose of nostalgia for those of us who grew up in the sixties - the past really was another country then, with the drabness and conservatism of the fifties gradually giving way to the liberal attitudes of the sixties. The characters are so well-portrayed and the acting so good, the whole film is totally believable. I laughed until I cried !
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News and features
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The Science of Sleep
- 12 Feb 2007
It's taken over a year for Michel Gondry's movie to get a UK release since its Sundance premiere. During that time it's twice been pushed back in the calendar, presumably because Warner Bros - who picked up international distribution rights at the festival - don't have a clue what to do with it. In the US, it made less than $5 million. I mention this not because a film's box office take is any indication of its quality, but because Hollywood always finds it harder to sell something different.... Read more
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BILLY LIAR was an immediate sensation as first a novel, then a hit play--both written by Keith Waterhouse, who also served as screenwriter on the film. Director John Schlesinger's screen version was ... -