This Sporting Life

He only believed in strength - love was a word he hadn't the power to say.

7.019632h 14mReleased

Drama

Overview

In early 1960s Northern England, Frank Machin is mean, tough and ambitious enough to become an immediate star in the rugby league team run by local employer Weaver.

StatusReleased

Release Date1963-02-07

Runtime2h 14m

LanguagesEnglish

CountriesUnited Kingdom

Budget$286,281

Keywords

northern england

based on novel or book

landlady tenant relationship

Videos

1 total

Trailer

Digitally Remastered This Sporting Life (3rd November 2008)

Stream

Criterion Channel

Buy

Amazon Video

Apple TV Store

Fandango At Home

Rent

Amazon Video

Apple TV Store

Fandango At Home

US data via JustWatch

Cast & Crew

Richard Harris

as Frank Machin

Rachel Roberts

as Mrs. Margaret Hammond

Alan Badel

as Gerald Weaver

William Hartnell

as 'Dad' Johnson

Colin Blakely

as Maurice Braithwaite

Vanda Godsell

as Mrs Anne Weaver

Anne Cunningham

as Judith

Jack Watson

as Len Miller

Arthur Lowe

as Charles Slomer

Harry Markham

as Wade

Reviews

John Chard

Sep 26, 2014

9/10

It's about time you took that rock of weight off your shoulders. This Sporting Life is directed by Lindsay Anderson and written by David Storey. It stars Richard Harris, Rachel Roberts, Alan Badel, William Hartnell, Colin Blakely, Vanda Godsell and Anne Cunningham. Music is by Roberto Gerhard and cinematography by Denys Coop. Frank Machin (Ha…

Full review

CinemaSerf

Jan 7, 2025

7/10

Richard Harris is on great form here as the aspiring rugby league player "Frank" in a northern English town who is about to hit the big time. An enormous payment of £1,000 is offered and that's going to change not just his life, but possibly that of his landlady "Mrs. Hammond" (Rachel Roberts). She's quite a distant widow who keeps a low profile bu…

Full review