A rebellious youth, sentenced to a boy’s reformatory for robbing a bakery, rises through the ranks of the institution by impressing its Governor through his prowess as a long distance runner. He is encouraged to compete in an upcoming race, but faces ridicule from his peers.
Acting
Tom Courtenay's sneer could curdle milk.
Direction
Richardson's flashbacks cut like a switchblade.
Writing
Sillitoe's script hates your feel-good sports movie.
Director
Tony Richardson
Michael Redgrave
Ruxton Towers Reformatory Governor
Tom Courtenay
Colin Smith
Avis Bunnage
Mrs. Smith
Alec McCowen
Brown, House Master
James Bolam
Mike
Joe Robinson
Roach
Julia Foster
Gladys
James Fox
Willy Gunthorpe - Ranley School Runner (uncredited)
John Thaw
Bosworth (uncredited)
Arthur Mullard
Chief Borstal Officer (uncredited)
Philip Martin
Stacy (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Part of 1960s 'kitchen sink realism'—working-class Britain on screen, unpolished and pissed off.
Author Alan Sillitoe refused to let Hollywood studios touch it; insisted on British production to preserve the ending's defiance.
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