Simon Heffer examines the powerful 1963 film version of This Sporting Life, David Storey's novel about Frank Machin, a talented rugby league player, hungry for success and love. Show more

Simon Heffer reveals how Alan Sillitoe's novel Saturday Night and Sunday Morning was turned into a celebrated 1960 film, starring Albert Finney as the anti-hero Arthur Seaton. Show more

Simon Heffer explores the film The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, about a boy whose chance to escape detention depends on his talent as a cross-country runner. Show more

Simon Heffer explores Billy Liar, the 1963 British New Wave film based on Keith Waterhouse's novel, starring Tom Courtenay. Simon asks whether it was a tragedy or a comedy. Show more

Simon Heffer re-examines the 1959 film Room at the Top, starring Laurence Harvey as someone determined to marry a rich man's daughter and live in the 'top' district of town. Show more