The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner
A defiant young burglar turns his talent for distance running into a silent rebellion against the borstal that claims to reform him.
Overview
A young rebel finds freedom in the rhythm of his own footsteps, but at what cost?
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- angst-ridden
- melancholic
- defiant
- serious film night
- british cinema marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a dry, angst-ridden British New Wave classic with potent social commentary and a star-making performance by Tom Courtenay.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film depicts Colin Smith's working-class family, petty crime, and borstal incarceration with unsentimental social detail.
Colin's running talent is appropriated by the reformatory Governor, but Colin continually questions the institution's attempt to discipline and use him.
Colin's long-distance running elevates his status inside the borstal while making him the Governor's prize runner and intensifying the conflict over his autonomy.
Colin's solitary runs lead into reveries of his family life, friendship with Mike, father's death, and criminal past.
Films like The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, and why
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning
shared british new wave social realism, working-class alienation, and rebellious young protagonist
This Sporting Life
shared kitchen sink realism, angry-young-man energy, institutional pressure, and class resentment
Kes
shared working-class british realism, youthful rebellion, and bittersweet coming-of-age drama
Scum
shared prison reform setting, institutional control, and defiant protagonist resisting imposed redemption
Movie Details
- Director
- Tony Richardson
- Release Date
- 1962-09-20
- Runtime
- 104 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (177)
Cast
- Michael Redgrave
- Tom Courtenay
- Avis Bunnage
- Alec McCowen
- James Bolam
- Joe Robinson
- Dervis Ward
- Topsy Jane
- Julia Foster
- James Fox
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- TCM
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner about?
- A defiant young burglar turns his talent for distance running into a silent rebellion against the borstal that claims to reform him.
- What is The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner as mild.
- What did critics think of The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a dry, angst-ridden British New Wave classic with potent social commentary and a star-making performance by Tom Courtenay.
- Which films are like The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner?
- Films with a similar feel include Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, This Sporting Life, Kes, and Scum.
- How long is The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner?
- The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner runs 104 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner?
- In United States, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner streams on TCM.
