Summary
A young Englishman dreams of escaping from his working class family and dead-end job as an undertaker's assistant. A number of indiscretions cause him to lie in order to avoid the penalties. His life turns into a mess and he has an opportunity to run away and leave it all behind.
Good for
- Friends night
- Teens
- Drop-in friendly
Where to watch
Fingerprint
At a glance
Critics vs audiences
Critics like it more than audiences (+10)
Critics 86Audiences 76GoodWatch 80
Running time
1 h 38 min
A typical length for comedies
typical 10098Half of all comedies run 91–111 min.
Reach
Streams in 4 countries, rent or buy in 9 more
Released
1963
August 15, 1963
63 years ago
Genres
ComedyRomanceDramaLanguage
English
Original language
Made in
United Kingdom
Rated
No age rating yet.
What's in it
- ViolenceLittle or none
- Gore, disturbing imagesLittle or none
- Frightening scenesLittle or none
- Sex, nudityLittle or none
- Dark themesModerate
- Strong languageNamed in the advisories
In white: what the content advisories name. Levels from the title analysis.
Viewing guide
AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensDrop-in FriendlyThought-ProvokingNot listed for kids or family movie night.
24 of 50
Tom CourtenayWilliam Terrence 'Billy' Fisher
Julie ChristieLiz
Wilfred PicklesGeoffrey Fisher
Mona WashbourneAlice Fisher
Ethel GriffiesGrandma Florence
Finlay CurrieDuxbury
Gwendolyn WattsRita
Helen FraserBarbara
Leonard RossiterEmanuel Shadrack
Rodney BewesArthur Crabtree
George InnesStamp
Leslie RandallDanny Boon
Patrick BarrInspector MacDonald
Ernest ClarkPrison Governor- GWGodfrey WinnDisc Jockey
Jack CunninghamTicket Examiner (uncredited)
Harry LandisMan on Train (uncredited)
E. V. H. EmmettNewsreel Commentator (uncredited)
Anna WingMrs. Crabtree (uncredited)
Sheila FearnTelephonist (uncredited)- MDMuriel DaySinger - Dance Hall (uncredited)
- LLLester LeighBand Leader - Dance Hall (uncredited)
- RGReginald GreenMr. Matthieson (uncredited)
Margaret LaceyMrs. Matthieson (uncredited)
Directing · 4
- John Schlesinger Director
- Frank Ernst First Assistant Director
- Jim Brennan Second Assistant Director
- Pamela Mann Continuity
Writing · 2
- Willis Hall Theatre Play, Screenplay
- Keith Waterhouse Screenplay, Novel, Theatre Play
Production · 6
- Joseph Janni Producer
- Miriam Brickman Casting
- Ann Skinner Production Secretary
- Edna Tromans Publicist
- Charles Blair Production Manager
- Jack Rix Associate Producer
Camera · 8
- Denys N. Coop Director of Photography
- Harry Gillard Still Photographer
- Mike Rutter Focus Puller
- Jack Atcheler Camera Operator
- Bert Lott Grip
- Neil Binney Focus Puller
Editing · 3
- Roger Cherrill Editor
- Jean Short Assistant Editor
- Jack Gardner First Assistant Editor
Sound · 6
- Richard Rodney Bennett Original Music Composer
- John Cox Sound Recordist
- Peter Handford Sound Recordist
- John Hollingsworth Conductor
- Tom Buchanan Boom Operator
- Malcolm Cooke Sound Editor
Art · 9
- Ken Bridgeman Set Dresser
- Martin Atkinson Draughtsman
- Ray Simm Art Direction
- Dennis Maddison Property Buyer
- Bill Read Painter
- Clifford Cross Standby Carpenter
Costume & Make-Up · 4
- Bob Lawrance Makeup Artist
- Laura Nightingale Wardrobe Supervisor
- Ron Beck Wardrobe Master
- Joyce James Hairstylist
Lighting · 9
- Kesra Singh Electrician
- Frank Willis Electrician
- Wilfred Campbell Electrician
- Ralph Weighell Electrician
- Archie Eyers Electrician
- Percy Fisher Electrician
Tropes
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