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The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

Drama · 1962

A rebellious youth, sentenced to a boy’s reformatory for robbing a bakery, rises through the ranks of the institution by impressing its Governor through his prowess as a long distance runner. He is encouraged to compete in an upcoming race, but faces ridicule from his peers.

Movie details

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

1962 Drama 1h 44m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.2 / 10

Community rating

A rebellious youth, sentenced to a boy’s reformatory for robbing a bakery, rises through the ranks of the institution by impressing its Governor through his prowess as a long distance runner. He is encouraged to compete in an upcoming race, but faces ridicule from his peers.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Gridiron Gang

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Tony Richardson

Written by

Alan Sillitoe

Michael Redgrave

Michael Redgrave

Ruxton Towers Reformatory Governor

Tom Courtenay

Tom Courtenay

Colin Smith

Avis Bunnage

Avis Bunnage

Mrs. Smith

Alec McCowen

Alec McCowen

Brown, House Master

James Bolam

James Bolam

Mike

Joe Robinson

Joe Robinson

Roach

Dervis Ward

Dervis Ward

Detective

Court is in session

Put The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.