Very early role for 25 year old tom courtenay; colin is sent off to the boys reformatory in england. To escape the boredom, he runs. A lot. Mostly because the warden wants to beat the local school at the athletic meet. The warden is played by michael redgrave, father of lynn and vanessa. While colin runs, he reflects on his former life of freedom, which we see in flashbacks. Typical brit kids, running around the city, trying to score with the birds (ladies). Until he gets locked up. Funny bit where his mother hates the coppers just as much as he does, and she even tells the coppers off whenever she gets the chance. It's okay. Courtenay was twice nominated for oscars, zhivago and dresser. He made billy liar and king rat right after runner. Directed by tony richardson...he will go on to win two oscars for tom jones. Directed a wide range of films.
