The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)
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- Not Rated
- 1h 44min
- Drama, Sport
- 08 Oct 1962 (USA)
- Movie
A young thief takes up long-distance running when he is sent to a borstal.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- Won 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 4 wins & 2 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Michael Redgrave | ... |
Ruxton Towers Reformatory Governor
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| Tom Courtenay | ... |
Colin Smith
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| Avis Bunnage | ... |
Mrs. Smith
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| Alec McCowen | ... |
Mr. Brown
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| James Bolam | ... |
Mike
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| Joe Robinson | ... |
Mr. Roach
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Dervis Ward | ... |
Detective
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Topsy Jane | ... |
Audrey
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| Julia Foster | ... |
Gladys
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Ray Austin | ... |
Harry Craig (uncredited)
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Ernest Blyth | ... |
Army Officer at Sports Day (uncredited)
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| Jim Brady | ... |
Man in Cafe (uncredited)
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John Brooking | ... |
Green (uncredited)
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John Bull | ... |
Ronalds (uncredited)
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| James Cairncross | ... |
Mr. Jones (uncredited)
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| Dallas Cavell | ... |
Lord Jaspers (uncredited)
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Peter Duguid | ... |
Doctor (uncredited)
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| Charles Dyer | ... |
Bit Part (uncredited)
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Raymond Dyer | ... |
Gordon (uncredited)
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| Frank Finlay | ... |
Booking Office Clerk (uncredited)
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| Derek Fowlds | ... |
Borstal Inmate (uncredited)
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| Edward Fox | ... |
Extra (uncredited)
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| James Fox | ... |
Willy Gunthorpe - Ranley School Runner (uncredited)
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Brian Hammond | ... |
Johnny Smith - Colin's Brother (uncredited)
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William Ash Hammond | ... |
Johnny Smith - Colin's Brother (uncredited)
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| Victor Harrington | ... |
Army Officer at Sports Day (uncredited)
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Peter Kriss | ... |
Scott (uncredited)
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Aileen Lewis | ... |
Sports Day Spectator (uncredited)
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Fred Machon | ... |
Borstal Master at Meeting (uncredited)
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| Peter Madden | ... |
Mr. Smith (uncredited)
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Philip Martin | ... |
Stacy (uncredited)
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| Arthur Mullard | ... |
Chief Borstal Officer (uncredited)
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Anita Oliver | ... |
Alice Smith - Colin's Sister (uncredited)
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Christopher Parker | ... |
Bill Smith - Colin's Brother (uncredited)
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Robert Percival | ... |
Tory Politician (uncredited)
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Joe Phelps | ... |
Borstal Master in Workshop (uncredited)
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| Corin Redgrave | ... |
Spectator at Sports Day (uncredited)
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| Doug Robinson | ... |
Prison Warder (uncredited)
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Anthony Sagar | ... |
Mr. Fenton (uncredited)
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| John Thaw | ... |
Bosworth (uncredited)
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Robert Vossler | ... |
Plainclothes Policeman (uncredited)
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John Wilder | ... |
Ranley Headmaster (uncredited)
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Chris Williams | ... |
Ranley Boy (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Tony Richardson | ||
Written by
| Alan Sillitoe | ... | (screenplay) |
| Alan Sillitoe | ... | (short story) |
Produced by
| Michael Holden | ... | associate producer |
| Tony Richardson | ... | producer |
Music by
| John Addison | ||
Cinematography by
| Walter Lassally | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Antony Gibbs | ||
Editorial Department
| Brian Smedley-Aston | ... | assistant editor |
| Pamela Milner-Gardner | ... | second assistant editor (uncredited) |
Casting By
| Maude Spector | ... | (uncredited) |
Production Design by
| Ralph W. Brinton | ... | (as Ralph Brinton) |
Art Direction by
| Edward Marshall | ... | (as Ted Marshall) |
Costume Design by
| Sophie Devine | ... | (as Motley) |
Makeup Department
| Jimmy Evans | ... | makeup artist |
| Bobbie Smith | ... | hairdresser (as Bobby Smith) |
Production Management
| Leigh Aman | ... | production supervisor |
| Alan Kaplan | ... | production executive |
| Robert Sterne | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Basil Rayburn | ... | assistant director |
| John Danischewsky | ... | third assistant director (uncredited) |
| Andrew Mollo | ... | second assistant director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| Ernie Blake | ... | master carpenter (uncredited) |
| Thomas Erley | ... | property supervisor (uncredited) |
| Tommy Freehan | ... | chargehand props (uncredited) |
| Stan Gale | ... | construction manager (uncredited) |
| Josie MacAvin | ... | set dresser (uncredited) |
| John O'Boy | ... | carpenter (uncredited) |
| Terry Parr | ... | prop buyer (uncredited) |
| Jack Towns | ... | props (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Norman Bolland | ... | sound recordist |
| Don Challis | ... | sound editor |
| Stephen Dalby | ... | director of sound |
| Tom Buchanan | ... | boom operator (uncredited) |
| Robin Gregory | ... | sound maintenance (uncredited) |
| Karen Heward | ... | assistant dubbing editor (uncredited) |
| Derrick Leather | ... | sound camera operator (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Dave Tracey | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Robin Webb | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Desmond Davis | ... | camera operator |
| Fred Anderson | ... | electrician chargehand (uncredited) |
| Frank Boston | ... | camera grip (uncredited) |
| Aubrey Dewar | ... | still photographer (uncredited) |
| Ken Goodman | ... | clapper loader (uncredited) |
| Manny Wynn | ... | focus puller (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Brenda Dabbs | ... | wardrobe |
Music Department
| John Addison | ... | arranger / conductor |
Script and Continuity Department
| Rita Davison | ... | continuity |
Transportation Department
| Jan Niemczynowicz | ... | unit car driver (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Patrick Boyle | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
| Dora Dobson | ... | publicist (uncredited) |
| Fred Harding | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
| Jane Moscrop | ... | production secretary (uncredited) |
| Marjorie Thomas | ... | assistant accountant (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- British Lion-Columbia Distributors (BLC) (1962) (United Kingdom) (theatrical) (as British Lion through BLC)
- Bryanston Distributing (1962) (United Kingdom) (theatrical) (as Bryanston)
- Continental Distributing (1962) (United States) (theatrical)
- Europa Film (1963) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Kommunenes Filmcentral (KF) (1963) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Medusa Distribuzione (1966) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Pari Films (France) (theatrical) (reissue)
- Castle Pictures (1990) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1992) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan)
- PolyGram Video (1993) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- British Film Institute (BFI) (2001) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- British Film Institute (BFI) (2002) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- BFI Video (2003) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2007) (United States) (DVD)
- Atlantic Film (2009) (Sweden) (DVD)
- Atlantic Film (2010) (Finland) (DVD)
- Solaris Distribution (2017) (France) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Shoei Co. (1964) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Suomi-Filmi (1963) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Epoca (Argentina) (VHS)
- Kinokuniya shoten (2013) (Japan) (DVD)
- NHK Sôgô (1970) (Japan) (tv)
- NHK-BS2 (1992) (Japan) (tv)
- Stream Go Media (2022) (World-wide)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (1976) (Finland) (tv)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (2023) (Finland) (tv) (and Internet)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Descriptive Video Works (descriptive video)
- Visual Icon (exclusive clip and still licensing)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
A rebellious youth, sentenced to a boy's reformatory for robbing a bakery, rises through the ranks of the institution through his prowess as a long distance runner. During his solitary runs, reveries of his life and times before his incarceration lead him to re-evaluate his privileged status as the Governor's prize runner. |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Run Boy Run!! See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | Real borstal inmates were used as extras, primarily in the riot scene. Director of Photography Walter Lassally stated: "The mix was so good that you couldn't-, unless you knew that this is an actor and this is an extra and this is a Borstal boy, you couldn't tell. The only time you could tell was at lunchtime, because they were absolutely ravenous. It looked like in the Borstal they were never properly fed because they were always looking. If you'd finished your dinner and you'd left something on your plate, they'd say, can I have that? They participated with great glee in the riot." See more » |
| Goofs | Early in the movie, when the new boys are in the van on the way to the borstal, they are shown in handcuffs and chains; when they emerge from the van, the restraints are gone. However, one of their guards is heard referring to removing their restraints after they pass through the outer gate. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Free Cinema (1986). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Jerusalem See more » |
| Quotes |
Colin Smith:
Running's always been a big thing in our family, especially running away from the police. See more » |