A rebellious youth sentenced to a reformatory for robbing a bakery rises through the ranks of the institution through his prowess as a long distance runner. During his solitary runs, reveries of his life and times before his incarceration lead him to re-evaluate his privileged status as a prized athlete.
Won 1 BAFTA Film Award5 wins & 2 nominations total
Top Critics Reviews
rotten:
Most of the period hallmarks of the British New Wave are paraded here.
– ,
Time Out,
24 Jun 2006
rotten:
More allegory from the depths of the British kitchen sink.
– Dave Kehr,
Chicago Reader,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
While this show of compassion may not sit comfortably with those who distrust social agitation and too easy sympathy, it must be said that a splendid presentation is made by Mr. Richardson.
– Bosley Crowther,
New York Times,
20 May 2003
fresh:
The performance of Tom Courtenay and the imaginative, if sometimes overfussy, direction of Tony Richardson, plus some standout lensing by Walter Lassally makes this a worthwhile pic.