Product Details

• Actors: Richard Harris, Rachel Roberts
• Format: NTSC, Black & White
• Studio: Paramount Home Video
• Run Time: 136.0 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000A09EM0
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #326,896 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Lindsay Anderson, who had directed numerous documentaries, made his fiction film debut with this gritty, frequently violent and highly realistic adaptation of David Storey's novel. Set in Yorkshire, the tale focuses on coal miner Frank Machin, who becomes the star player of a local rugby team. His athletic success takes him from obscurity to celebrity; however, the unsavory "businessmen" who manage his finances manage to bilk him out of much of his money. Frank does find some solace in his relationship with Margaret Hammond, the woman who owns the house where he lodges. But Margaret remains so bitter over her husband's premature death that she cannot find a place for Machin in her heart. Frustrated by the situation, Machin goes away. Then he learns that Margaret is dying, and realizes that he must makes a last ditch effort win the love of the one person who really matters in his life.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A strong and impressive first feature by Lindsay Anderson, October 19, 2010

By 

K. Gordon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: This Sporting Life (VHS Tape)

A lower-class young man (Richard Harris) makes his mark as a particularly violent, tough rugby player, while trying, in his awkward, coarse way to seduce his landlady (Rachel Roberts).

Strong moments of acting, photography, and interesting use of fractured time mark Lindsay Anderson's feature debut. This was a key film of the British New Wave cinema that helped moved English film towards gritty realism. (Ironic, considering Anderson's greatest films; 'If...." and "O Lucky Man" are quite far from that kind of naturalistic realism).

Almost all critics consider it a masterpiece, but on first viewing both the performances and the writing were too theatrical for me to grant it quite that level of perfection.

But I plan to re-see it. As often with films one hears about for years, I may have been over-hyped, and missed some of its greatness. And even as is, I found it a strong, impressive and very worthwhile first feature, worth seeing if you have any interest in any of the elements; the cast, the moment in English history, Lindsay Anderson's great career as a director, etc.

5.0 out of 5 stars a really cool movie, April 24, 2008

By 

London O. Cromwell "fullmoongirl" (sandusky ohio) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: This Sporting Life (VHS Tape)

My mom has always told me about this movie. We were amazed to finally find it on amazon. You can't even rent it in some places.
A strange Love story. Set in Ireland. She's is an older widow, good looking, with kids. He is a rugby Player. It's very tripped out the way this film unfolds, mysterious. pretty dark too, I'd say. Very thought provoking.
He is in Love with her, but she seemingly can't stand him. She considers him a stupid, big ape on the rugby field. Polishes her husbands shoes at the fireplace, he's forced to compete with his memory. He's tormented, is good to her and her kids, she's guilty over husbands seeming suicide. Very interesting, this movie. Wonderful acting performances from Richard Harris, and Rachel Roberts. A classic.