Review of This Sporting Life (1963) by Tom W — 14 Aug 2007

A complex tale of sporting success and social failing, Lindsay Anderson's British realist film pulses with a level of tragedy Shakespeare would have been proud of.

Tough 'apeman' Richard Harris is a frustrated rugby star, repressed by his own alpha standing and lack of tenderness. His dysfunctional attempts to woo Mrs. Hammond are scuppered by his inability to show love, instead showering her with materials to win her heart.

At it's finest, 'This Sporting Life' is intensely powerful, helped tremendously by Denys Coops moody cinematography and two virtuoso central performances. Harris is a steamtrain, hurtling along his overreaching existence with no brakes.

His Frank Machin is at once disturbing, charming, violent and sincere, frequently in the same scene, which deepens the seemingly simple 'you may be able to take the lad out of the mine, but you can't take the mine out of the lad' premise.

Unmissable psychological drama stacked to the hilt with grim undertones.