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Episode 205 - The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner (1962)
Season 1
Episode 205
Published 12 hours ago
Description
Jogging On with the Ultimate Angry Young Man For episode 205 of the Reel Britannia podcast, we're lacing up our running shoes and taking a rather defiant jog into the heart of the British New Wave with Tony Richardson's 1962 classic, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner.
Adapted by Alan Sillitoe from his own celebrated short story, the film introduces us to Colin Smith, played with smouldering brilliance by Tom Courtenay in his breakout role. After a minor scrape with the law, Colin is packed off to a bleak youth offenders' institution. There, the establishment's pompous Governor (a perfectly cast Michael Redgrave) discovers Colin's undeniable talent for cross-country running and decides to exploit the lad's athletic prowess for the institution's glory. What follows is a brilliant, beautifully shot exploration of class, rebellion, and personal freedom.
This week, Scott is joined by Steven to figure out exactly where this gritty masterpiece sits within the broader landscape of sixties British cinema. We'll be debating whether Colin is the ultimate cinematic 'angry young man' or if the film is attempting something a little more complex beneath the surface. Expect our familiar warm, conversational, and lightly irreverent style as we unpack the mud, the miles, and that iconic two-fingered salute to authority.
This episode, along with the complete Reel Britannia back catalogue, is available wherever you download your podcasts and at: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/reelbritannia
You can also follow the podcast on X at @rbritanniapod.
If you'd like to go the extra mile with us, special bonus episodes are available through the Reel Britannia Patreon, inviting you to support the podcast and enjoy additional film discussions.
#TheLonelinessOfTheLongDistanceRunner #TomCourtenay #TonyRichardson #BritishNewWave #BritishCinema #ReelBritannia #Podcast #AngryYoungMan #MichaelRedgrave
Adapted by Alan Sillitoe from his own celebrated short story, the film introduces us to Colin Smith, played with smouldering brilliance by Tom Courtenay in his breakout role. After a minor scrape with the law, Colin is packed off to a bleak youth offenders' institution. There, the establishment's pompous Governor (a perfectly cast Michael Redgrave) discovers Colin's undeniable talent for cross-country running and decides to exploit the lad's athletic prowess for the institution's glory. What follows is a brilliant, beautifully shot exploration of class, rebellion, and personal freedom.
This week, Scott is joined by Steven to figure out exactly where this gritty masterpiece sits within the broader landscape of sixties British cinema. We'll be debating whether Colin is the ultimate cinematic 'angry young man' or if the film is attempting something a little more complex beneath the surface. Expect our familiar warm, conversational, and lightly irreverent style as we unpack the mud, the miles, and that iconic two-fingered salute to authority.
This episode, along with the complete Reel Britannia back catalogue, is available wherever you download your podcasts and at: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/reelbritannia
You can also follow the podcast on X at @rbritanniapod.
If you'd like to go the extra mile with us, special bonus episodes are available through the Reel Britannia Patreon, inviting you to support the podcast and enjoy additional film discussions.
#TheLonelinessOfTheLongDistanceRunner #TomCourtenay #TonyRichardson #BritishNewWave #BritishCinema #ReelBritannia #Podcast #AngryYoungMan #MichaelRedgrave