This Sporting Life

One of the finest British films ever made, this benchmark of kitchen-sink realism follows the self-defeating professional and romantic pursuits of a miner turned rugby player eking out an existence in drab Yorkshire. With an astonishing, raging performance by a young Richard Harris, an equally blistering turn by fellow Oscar nominee Rachel Roberts as the widow with whom he lodges, and electrifying direction by Lindsay Anderson, in his feature-film debut following years of documentary work, THIS SPORTING LIFE remains a dramatic powerhouse.

• This Sporting Life: The Lonely HeartNeil Sinyard — Jan 22, 2008
• Of Men and Balls: Ron Shelton on The Freshman and This Sporting LifeMichael Sragow — Feb 3, 2017
• Lindsay Anderson's Singular PathPeter Cowie — May 14, 2014