The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner (1962)

Caught for stealing money from a bakery, a defiant working class teenager (Tom Courtenay) is sent to a custodial institution for youthful offenders. There his talent for cross country running attracts the eye of the borstal's head (Michael Redgrave), who grooms him to win a race against a private school. Based on a short story by Alan Sillitoe (who adapted his story for the screen) and directed by Tony Richardson (TOM JONES). One of the best examples of Britain's kitchen sink "angry young man" dramas, the movie's outcome is never in question but the film divides its narrative with the delinquent's time at the borstal and flashbacks to his family life and the circumstances that led to his arrest. Courtenay doesn't try to make his character likable and while we're never sure just why he's so hostile, there's an empathy for his situation. He's lost and unsure of what he wants out of life. The underscore by John Addison is quite effective. With Alec McCowen, James Fox, Frank Finlay, Avis Bunnage and Julia Foster.