The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

[rwaits]

Such a fantastic film---it really seems to mean more with each viewing. Anyone know who owns the rights to this one, and if there are any plans for a release? Why is there no dvd yet??? #-o

[dvdane]

It was released on DVD by BFI some two years ago:

Amazon UK

It is indeed a great film, my absolute favorite of the "Angry Young Man" series and I would also argue the central film of the period.

What makes it so great is, that it adapts a form of coming-of-age, as Colin appearently conforms and takes advantage of the system, developing his skills as a runner and transforms his anger and rebellion into what makes him run. Thus, the final rebellion becomes more than just an angry young man defying the system, it shows a mature and educated defying of the system, as Colin, having clearly demonstrated that what Towers saw in him was true, but that he is an individual, not part of a system, and as such having free will and exercises it.

Where this anger somewhat can be traced back to Benedek's "The Wild One" (What are you rebelling against? What do you got!) and Ray's "Rebel without a cause", the anger of the American counterparts were as aimless as the situation the protagonists found themselves in.

In a similar way, the anger of the British arises from the same disillusion of the system, a reaction towards a stiff social system, which asks for respect for the former generation and is answered by a "what has it done for me?"

Rather than conform and become part of the system, thereby continuing the path of their fathers, these youths rebel in an egocentrick and somewhat hedonistic manner. And here "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" rises above the rest, as the system is willing to do something for Colin, and Colin takes advantage of it, only to rebel against it, denying conformity, insisting on individualism.

[rwaits]

Great post, Dane! Thanks!!! I should have clarified that I meant a region 1 release---I'm probably the only member of this forum without a multiregion.

[Polybius]

You should read the Alan Sillitoe novella, too.

[Jeff]

Warner has the Region 1 rights.

[mikeohhh]

I was just watching the VHS of this fantastic film the other day and noticed it was put out by Warner Home Video. Seeing as how it's still unavailable on DVD in R1, I was wondering if Warner still holds the rights or has a DVD in the works.

[Lino]

Don't know if Warner has the rights for R1. Here's what imdb.com has to say:

http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0056194/companycredits

Meanwhile, a UK DVD is already out for quite some time:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASI ... 47-9795635

And here's a review:

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReview ... runner.htm

[rwaits]

I have been thinking about this movie a lot lately. I love it, and can't wait until it finally gets a proper release. I've emailed several different distributors about it, and unfortunately don't think its going to be coming out any time soon.

[Antoine Doinel]

Set for release on 2/13 via Warner.

[Lino]

From the Digital Bits:

Warner has officially announced the DVD release of more catalog titles, including Blume in Love, The Clock, Crossing Delancey, Miracle in the Rain and A Summer Place for 2/6/07, with The Butcher Boy, Ginger & Fred, Performance and The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner following on 2/13.

[Gordon]

Am I right in saying that the BFI edition is OOP? This film's ratio is 1.66:1 so I shall be interested in seeing how Warner transfer it. The BFI is/was yet another DVD (Beaver review) intended to buy but dragged my heels over; it sounds like a superb disc - just like Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (which I do own) so Warner will have their work cut out. Kes needs a SE, too. Soft and scratchy non-anamorphic, bare bones single-layer disc in the UK ((screenshots). Very poor for such a landmark in British Cinema, says I. Far from the Madding Crowd - another MGM fuck-up (cropped from 2.35 to 1.85).

[tryavna]

Yes, Gordon, the BFI disc is OOP. You're right that Warner will have to go a long way to beat it. I doubt they'll manage to top the extras, but they could certainly make it anamorphic, which BFI did not (just like most of their 1.66:1 titles.)

Frankly, I was a little surprised to see that Warner was going to release this movie, as I figured it was an MGM/UA title (like Kes and Saturday Night). If the rights have changed hands, then perhaps that's why the BFI went out of print to begin with, and perhaps it will bode well for a superior R1 release of Kes, which as you say really needs a good release somewhere on the planet.

[Gordon]

Warner actually released a VHS back in 1992. The film was produced by Tony Richardson and John Osborne's company, Woodfall Film Productions; they also produced these.

Most of these have been released on DVD by MGM, so I assume that MGM own the Woodfall library. Whether Warner acquired Loneliness alone or the whole library, will remain to be seen - I hope that they have as The Entertainer (non-anamorphic 1.66) and the underrated Mademoiselle (non-anamorphic 2.35; shot by David Watkin) also need new transfers.

[Gigi M.]

I hope that they have as The Entertainer (non-anamorphic 1.66) and the underrated Mademoiselle (non-anamorphic 2.35; shot by David Watkin) also need new transfers.

I'm so glad that someone else besides me considers Mademoiselle underrated. Is such an amazing piece of cinema.

[Lino]

Cover art

[Gordon]

[Hems and haws]

[Matt]

I fixed the link. Click it now.

[Gordon]

Yes, I saw the artwork - that's why I hemmed and hawed! The BFI artwork was much better, I feel. I saw it in a shop the other day for £10.79 / $18.00 (SRP is £19.99) and it was tempting, but I want to see the specs of the Warner first. Kes was next to it for £5.99 / $10, but I wasn't tempted at all; I really hope that an anamorphic SE shows up at some point.

[tavernier]

good--not great--anamorphic print, but no extras to speak of (unless you count the trailer!).
And I forgot how good Addison's score is....

[Lino]

DVDBeaver comparison and DVDTalk review.

[Der Müde Tod]

What a movie. This was a blind buy for me (thanks!), and it was one of the best I ever did. The amazing photography will stay with me for a while.

[Matt]

This was a blind buy for me as well. I can't say I was terribly engaged with the film during most of it; some of the stylistic choices struck me as a bit odd (the speeded-up camera when the guys are undressing and when Colin and his mate steal the car, some of the musical cues), and Tom Courtenay, 25 playing 16-17 looked at least 35. However, the near-end when you get the rapid montage as Colin thinks over his life and the ending itself made me realize what a great film this really is and how everything previously shown in the film weighs on his final, amazing decision.

The three-film run of A Taste of Honey, this film, and Tom Jones is so incredible, it makes the stilted "comedy" of his next film, The Loved One that much sadder. Has anyone ever seen his film of Laughter in the Dark? I can't even imagine...

[tryavna]

The three-film run of A Taste of Honey, this film, and Tom Jones is so incredible

Let's not forget The Entertainer. If not for the mis-step of Sanctuary falling in between The Entertainer and Taste of Honey, Richardson would have had one of the most interesting and creative four-year runs of the early '60s.

[Lino]

DVD Savant review

[jbeall]

Courtenay is really good in this film, although he does look a bit older than Colin is supposed to be. I was really impressed, however.

I would have liked a little more info on Colin's father, and I think the resentment of the other boys could have been developed a bit more, but overall, the ending definitely comes out of everything that's happened up to that point.

Now to read the book!