This Sporting Life [1963]

The lowdown: Set in Yorkshire in the 1960s, 'This Sporting Life' is the story of Frank Machin (Richard Harris), a coal miner
man who joins his employer's rugby league team, while lodging with his landlady, a widower named Margaret Hammond
(played by Rachel Roberts. His rugby skills bring him to the attention of 'Dad' Johnson (William Hartnell), an ageing talent
scout for a professional rugby league club. Machin tries out for the City club, which signs him up on a salary of 1,000 pounds.
However, fame and fortune quickly go to his head.. The film uses flashbacks to look at Machin's rising fame as a rugby player,
his friendship with Johnson and his ultimately unrequited relationship with Hammond. After tragedy strikes, Machin is brought
back to earth and realises that sporting fame is all-too-brief. 'This Sporting Life' is a bleak and gritty look at working-class life
in 1960s England, and the rugby scenes are very realistic. The film is often described as a kitchen-sink drama (referring to a
genre of British film of the era).

Despite its age, 'This Sporting Life' is an excellent film, particularly if you are a rugby league fan, and is highly recommended
to people who enjoy classic British films. The performance of Harris is brilliant, and William Hartnell is also wonderful as the
talent scout who befriends Frank Machin and is ultimately given the cold shoulder by the football star. Hartnell secured the
role of The Doctor due to his performance in this film. In fact, his portrayal of Johnson is very reminiscent of the first incarnation
of a certain Time Lord.

Trivia: Harris and Roberts both won BAFTA awards in 1964 for their performances in this film. They were also nominated
for Academy Awards in the same year.

Quotes:
Mrs Hammond: 'Did you win?'
Johnson: 'He played a blinder, missus, he played a blinder.' Video Clips:
A visit to the dentist (3.7mb)
Frank and Johnson (2.0mb)
Frank gets signed up (3.6mb)