tom courtenay has a face that swears. when he opens his mouth (once described as a gash) to speak, he is soft spoken. 1962's 'the loneliness of the long distance runner' is based on a slim novel written by alan sillitoe. one of the reasons courtenay is so right for the role of colin, a defiant juvenile sent up to do a stretch at 'ruxton towers' and coerced into winning the 'cup' for long distance running, is he is skinnier than the book the film is based on.
colin grows up in truly bleak circumstances. the climate is wet, his nutrition is poor, and there's only one t.v. channel. he wears shoes that don't go anywhere till he breaks the law for stealing a pocketful of pounds. how he gets caught is priceless. ultimately this story is about one thing: personal integrity.
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