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This Sporting Life Reviews

1963

70
from 1946 members

Adapted from David Storey's novel of the same title, THIS SPORTING LIFE is a gritty, unblinking look at life in the coal mining region of Northern England as seen through the eyes of Frank Machin. Richard Harris gives a remarkable performance as Machin, a proud man who wants to quit his job as a miner and follow his aspirations .. Read more

Starring	Arthur Lowe, Colin Blakely, Richard Harris, Rachel Roberts
Director	Lindsay Anderson
Genres	Drama

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Critic's review of This Sporting Life
View all critics' reviews (4)
- A landmark British film that brought together remarkable talents in full command of their abilities. Anderson and Storey were united in their aim to show the inner life of its protagonist. Richard Harris shared their outlook and gave an intense and sensit
- 30150
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:38
Write your own review »
Most helpful member's review of This Sporting Life
View all members' reviews (20)
- - 18
  - 2
  Life as sport...
  
  When he was young, the late Richard Harris could be thought of as Britain's answer to Marlon Brando. Certainly, in This Sporting Life, he displays a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 306862
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Maryco
  - UK
  - 24 Jul 2004 at 22:45
Most recent members' reviews of This Sporting Life
View all members' reviews (20)
- - 2
  - 0
  this sporting life
  
  great movie. lots going on: the oppressive weight of the class system; the gladiatorial nature of sport; richard harris' character's sense of loneliness... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 959048
- - a customer
  - London
  - 30 Jan 2011 at 22:30
- - 1
  - 0
  Gripping Drama that proves the British New Wave was just as impressive as the French
  
  All Frank Machin wants is a little love. He thinks he's found it with the widowed landlady he lives with and, throughout the film, he does everything he can... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 852890
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - LondonCine
  - 21 reviews
  - London
  - 24 Jan 2010 at 10:16
- - 1
  - 8
  Overrated
  
  Only watched this as it is on Film 4 films to see before you die. It really was not worth it! Only decent think was a few lines from Rachel Roberts
  
  Report this review
- 826418
- - Randomfilmbuff
  - 327 reviews
  - London
  - 31 Oct 2009 at 12:40
- - 2
  - 0
  A view of old Wakefield
  
  This is a truely great film with lots of shots of Wakefield that no are longer there. It is for the lovers of B/W gritty 1960's films and lovers of Rugby ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 790116
- - a customer
  - Wakefield
  - 27 Jul 2009 at 21:11
- - 0
  - 0
  Odd but endearing...
  
  THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS | Show review anywayHide
  
  What a peculiar piece of cinema! From a 21stC perspective it appears stilted and disjointed. This is the film which brought Richard Harris to the attention of... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 635723
- - MissCarter
  - 3 reviews
  - London
  - 27 Sep 2008 at 16:46
- - 1
  - 0
  This Sporting Life
  
  Very slow & dreary. Not a good view at all.
  
  Report this review
- 607287
- - Sreenie
  - 123 reviews
  - The Midlands
  - 02 Aug 2008 at 18:53
- - 0
  - 0
  Husband and Wife team...
  
  As in real life...
  
  Harris and Roberts bring a spark to this gritty movie.
  
  Of life and death and a love that was never to be!.
  
  ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 600635
- - MEMPHISSUN
  - 5 reviews
  - INVERGORDON
  - 19 Jul 2008 at 23:10
- - 2
  - 0
  proper acting
  
  This is awesome,if you want to be trained how to be an actor,just watch this,it will give you all the tips you need.If you like this get the L shaped room its ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 554532
- - a customer
  - Ipswich
  - 17 Apr 2008 at 02:20
- - 1
  - 0
  This sporting love life
  
  Being a rugby league fan from a northern mining town I thought this film would be right up my street, it was but for unexpected reasons. Having read other ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 492516
- - FilmyC
  - 27 reviews
  - Runcorn
  - 08 Nov 2007 at 13:37
- - 0
  - 0
  A script made for Harris
  
  This film will leave you with an impression for several weeks after seeing it for the first time. Its one of those films that reveals a different side everytime... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 484557
- - westlondon
  - 5 reviews
  - London, England
  - 13 Oct 2007 at 17:09
View all members' reviews (20)

- - 18
  - 2
  Life as sport...
  
  When he was young, the late Richard Harris could be thought of as Britain's answer to Marlon Brando. Certainly, in This Sporting Life, he displays a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 306862
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Maryco
  - UK
  - 24 Jul 2004 at 22:45
- - 4
  - 0
  Great film
  
  This 1963 story of a rugby league player who is brutal on and off the field seems even better with the passing years. Lindsay Anderson does not film a single ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 88191
- - Zamy
  - 546 reviews
  - London
  - 04 Apr 2005 at 11:17
- - 4
  - 1
  Not that great for me
  
  Richard Harris gives a strong performance but this film didn't grab me. I was glad when it finished, probably something to do with the running time ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 109185
- - Isaac
  - London
  - 31 May 2005 at 16:55
- - 2
  - 0
  proper acting
  
  This is awesome,if you want to be trained how to be an actor,just watch this,it will give you all the tips you need.If you like this get the L shaped room its ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 554532
- - a customer
  - Ipswich
  - 17 Apr 2008 at 02:20
- - 2
  - 0
  A view of old Wakefield
  
  This is a truely great film with lots of shots of Wakefield that no are longer there. It is for the lovers of B/W gritty 1960's films and lovers of Rugby ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 790116
- - a customer
  - Wakefield
  - 27 Jul 2009 at 21:11
- - 2
  - 0
  this sporting life
  
  great movie. lots going on: the oppressive weight of the class system; the gladiatorial nature of sport; richard harris' character's sense of loneliness... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 959048
- - a customer
  - London
  - 30 Jan 2011 at 22:30
- - 1
  - 0
  Worth the wait
  
  I'd heard about this film years ago but never saw it on TV and could never find it on DVD or video. I was very excited to find it in the Screen Select ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 6396
- - Simon ward-Hastelow
  - Orpington, Kent
  - 24 May 2004 at 22:04
- - 1
  - 0
  This sporting love life
  
  Being a rugby league fan from a northern mining town I thought this film would be right up my street, it was but for unexpected reasons. Having read other ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 492516
- - FilmyC
  - 27 reviews
  - Runcorn
  - 08 Nov 2007 at 13:37
- - 1
  - 0
  This Sporting Life
  
  Very slow & dreary. Not a good view at all.
  
  Report this review
- 607287
- - Sreenie
  - 123 reviews
  - The Midlands
  - 02 Aug 2008 at 18:53
- - 1
  - 0
  Gripping Drama that proves the British New Wave was just as impressive as the French
  
  All Frank Machin wants is a little love. He thinks he's found it with the widowed landlady he lives with and, throughout the film, he does everything he can... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 852890
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - LondonCine
  - 21 reviews
  - London
  - 24 Jan 2010 at 10:16

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Critics' reviews
- A landmark British film that brought together remarkable talents in full command of their abilities. Anderson and Storey were united in their aim to show the inner life of its protagonist. Richard Harris shared their outlook and gave an intense and sensit
- 30150
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:38
- "...An erotic dance of death...[and] a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of British class structure." -- Rating: B+
- 7605
- - Entertainment Weekly
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58
- A reminder that something really was stirring in those days of the British New Wave before it frittered itself away.... read more on Time Out
- 43269
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:13
- "...Film as close-up theatre - stark and lingering..." -- 4 out of 5 stars
- 7606
- - Total Film
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58

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