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Billy Liar (1963)
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Overview
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Release Date:
16 December 1963 (USA) morePlot:
A lazy, irresponsible young clerk in provincial Northern England lives in his own fantasy world and makes emotionally immature decisions as he alienates friends and family. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
Nominated for 6 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 1 nomination moreNewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Christie Was 'Warned Off' Beatty (From WENN. 4 May 2008, 7:12 AM, PDT)
Director John Schlesinger Dies at 77 (From IMDb News. 25 July 2003)
User Comments:
There's a Billy Liar in each of us~~ moreCast
(Complete credited cast)| Tom Courtenay | ... | William Terrence 'Billy' Fisher | |
| Wilfred Pickles | ... | Geoffrey Fisher | |
| Mona Washbourne | ... | Alice Fisher | |
| Ethel Griffies | ... | Florence, Billy's grandmother | |
| Finlay Currie | ... | Duxbury | |
| Gwendolyn Watts | ... | Rita | |
| Helen Fraser | ... | Barbara | |
| Julie Christie | ... | Liz | |
| Leonard Rossiter | ... | Emanuel Shadrack | |
| Rodney Bewes | ... | Arthur Crabtree | |
| George Innes | ... | Stamp | |
| Leslie Randall | ... | Danny Boon | |
| Patrick Barr | ... | Insp. MacDonald | |
| Ernest Clark | ... | Prison governor | |
| Godfrey Winn | ... | Disc jockey |
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Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
98 minCountry:
UKLanguage:
EnglishColour:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)MOVIEmeter: 
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Topsy Jane can still be seen in long-shot in some sequences, notably when Billy and Liz wave to the people of Ambrosia from the balcony. moreQuotes:
Emanuel Shadrack: So that's your ambition, is it? Scriptwriting?William Terrence 'Billy' Fisher: Oh, yes, it always has been.
Emanuel Shadrack: Do you get a salary each week then, or do you get paid by the joke?
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Soundtrack:
Twisterella moreFAQ
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Discuss this title with other users on IMDb message board for Billy Liar (1963)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| Classic tragi-comedy? | Chandro |
| A Clockwork Orange | 8334148 |
| Rushmore | vc2020 |
| Just a terrific movie | ollie02watts |
| Billy Liar + The Smiths | SamiPinarbasi |
| Start of the Swinging Sixties | DD-931 |
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Most novels may not necessary translate well to the stage, let alone to the Big screen. 'Billy Liar' has achieved all that. I have just recently discovered this 'hidden' gem from among the throngs of DVD shelves. The reason I 'picked it up' was due largely to the director's name, John Schlesinger. Having seen his catapult to American fame 'Midnight Cowboy', I reckon why not check out his earlier British work. Boy was I astonished!
First of all, the script. The adapted screenplay by the original writers Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall is wickedly witty and performative for theatre dramatics, yet it crosses perfectly to the realms of cinema. The cut-aways to the lavishly staged dream sequences are so effective, so in contrast to the stark realism that we get from most of the on-location filming (from the DVD bonus features, the two writers actually take you on a present day 'tour' of a couple of the 'real'locations, juxtaposed with snippets of the film sequences at exactly the same spots).
Also commendable is the black and white cinematography by veteran Bristish lensman Denys Coop. Done in Cinemascope, the depth of Hinchcliffe Avenue can only be fully realised in the widescreen format, so avoid the re-formatted tv release at all costs!
And I must say the most amazing thing about the film is still the performance. Schlesinger rarely fails to bring out the best from his actors, and this seminal work is no exception. All the supporting cast, from 'Mr Shadrack ', Billy's family and girlfriends played very well to be the 'plastic reality' that's driving Billy insane. Hence, he seeks solance,affirmation and escape in his fantasies and lies, but ultimately we know which track he ends back on.
Tom Courtenay is simply 'Billy Liar'. Somehow, he bears an uncanny resemblance to Ewen Macgregor, or perhaps that's just me. It was mentioned that Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay, who have both played the title character on stage, were considered for the the film role at the same time. I can't help but only wonder how it would've turned out if Finney got the part instead...
Last but not least, who can resist Julie Christie, aka Liz. She is Billy's object of desire cum temptation cum salvation, very much in contrast to Billy's inhabited world... simply beautiful. The intro sequence of Liz as she walks along the streets of Bradford is another highlight of the film, undescribable with words. You gotta see it for ya self~
What else can I say about 'Billy Liar'. I guess everyone was once a 'Billy Liar', or still has a Billy Liar in him or herself. Well, at least I can say it for me self. Perhaps on a finer day, I WILL CATCH thee TRAIN to 'London'.......
I give it 9/10 :-)