The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)

Tom Courtenay is superb as "Colin Smith" who, along with his pal "Mike" (James Bolam) spends much of his time committing petty crimes to alleviate the boredom of his life. When his father dies, his rather venal mother (Avis Bunnage) can't wait for the insurance money; hooks up almost immediately with another man and this all serves to push "Colin" further into his criminal activities. He is eventually apprehended after robbing a bakery and sent to a reformatory where warden Michael Redgrave spots his abilities as a runner. Determined to help the boy from his path of self-destruction the two begin an uneasy relationship that continues after his release when he must race for his school against a neighbouring private school that has advantage and privilege. It is a superbly paced, considerately directed rite-of-passage story; a young man facing indifference from family and society who lucks out, to some extent, with an authority figure who actually gives a damn. At times bleak, it offers quite an interesting insight into the (lack of) opportunity for many in early sixties Britain. The performances are strong, based on good, solid writing supported well by a few now familiar faces - Edward & James Fox; Frank Finlay and Derek Fowlds.