Billy Liar

Billy Liar (1959) is a novel by Keith Waterhouse that was later adapted into a play, film, musical and TV series.

Film

The 1963 film was directed by John Schlesinger and featured Tom Courtenay, who had understudied Albert Finney in the West End play, as Billy and Julie Christie as Liz, one of his three girlfriends. Mona Washbourne played Mrs Fisher, and Wilfred Pickles played Mr Fisher. Rodney Bewes, Finlay Currie and Leonard Rossiter also had roles.

Related Topics:
1963 - John Schlesinger - Tom Courtenay - Albert Finney - Julie Christie - Mona Washbourne - Wilfred Pickles - Rodney Bewes - Finlay Currie - Leonard Rossiter

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The style of the film is archetypal British New Wave (and "kitchen sink"), being inspired by the earlier French New Wave. Characteristic of the style is a documentary/cinema verite feel and the use of real locations (in this case the city of Bradford in Yorkshire).

Related Topics:
British New Wave - Kitchen sink - French New Wave - Documentary - Cinema verite - Bradford - Yorkshire

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Cinemascope photography was by Denys Coop, and Richard Rodney Bennett supplied the score.

Related Topics:
Cinemascope - Denys Coop - Richard Rodney Bennett

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2004 the magazine Total Film named it the 12th greatest British film of all time.

Related Topics:
2004 - Magazine - Total Film

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~