dir. Lindsay Anderson
writ. David Storey (story and screenplay)
feat. Richard Harris, Rachel Roberts, Alan Badel, William Hartnell, Colin Blakely, Vanda Godsell
Richard Harris exploded onto the film scene in his first major role, as Frank Machin, a miner that ascends to local sports hero as a city league rugby star. Brutal determination carries Machin far enough to catch the eye of an elderly benevolent scout who takes Machin under his wing, forming bond enough that the eager upstart calls the gentleman Dad. But after stampeding his way onto the field, Machin doesn't find life much easier than the mines as a minor celebrity, thwarted by the politics of team management and confused by his inability to stir amorous reactions, or even relative warmth, from his widow landlady, Mrs. Hammond (Roberts).
Machin stumbles through life, operating like his namesake (one letter away from machine), taking what he can when he sees the opportunity. His vague ideas of success and its spoils drive him to grab wildly, playing the game to his advantage as he discovers small ways to make gains, such as courting Mrs. Hammond's children as a course to her. But his lack of foundation, and arguable inability to feel emotions other than anger and frustration, make him an ultimately destructive force, a conqueror without care who leaves those he uses behind, damaged and forgotten.
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