This Sporting Life (1963): cast, story & where to watch
1963 · Film · ★ 7
Released in 1963, This Sporting Life is a drama film directed by Lindsay Anderson, running about 134 minutes. “He only believed in strength - love was a word he hadn't the power to say.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. In Northern England in the early 1960s, Frank Machin is mean, tough and ambitious enough to become an immediate star in the rugby league team run by local employer Weaver.
Who’s in it. This Sporting Life stars Richard Harris as Frank Machin, Rachel Roberts as Mrs. Margaret Hammond, Alan Badel as Gerald Weaver and William Hartnell as 'Dad' Johnson, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.0/10, This Sporting Life has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch This Sporting Life page.
If you liked it. Fans of This Sporting Life tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch This Sporting Life (1963)?
- In US, This Sporting Life is available to stream on Criterion Channel, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is This Sporting Life worth watching?
- This Sporting Life holds an audience score of 7.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in This Sporting Life?
- This Sporting Life stars Richard Harris, Rachel Roberts, Alan Badel, William Hartnell and Colin Blakely.
- When was This Sporting Life released?
- This Sporting Life was released in 1963, with a runtime of about 134 minutes.