This Sporting Life (1963)

Stepping into the bleak landscape of Wakefield in the early 1960s, we find ourselves immersed in the life of Frank Machin, a fiery young miner with a hardened exterior and an unyielding ambition to carve a niche in the rugged terrains of professional rugby. His volatile nature and relentless determination swiftly catapult him into stardom in the local rugby league team, steered by the influential local employer, Weaver. However, beneath the hardened facade is a man trapped in the throes of an unrequited love. Frank lodges with the enigmatic and mournfully beautiful Mrs. Margaret Hammond, a widow whose husband met a tragic end in an accident at Weaver's. Unbeknownst to her, she becomes the subject of Frank's intense yet unexpressed affection. His impulsive and tempestuous nature, however, forms an impenetrable wall, preventing him from reaching out to her as his heart yearns. Simultaneously, he finds himself ensnared in the tantalizing allure of Mrs. Weaver's more straightforward advances, further complicating his emotional turmoil. As he rises in the ruthless world of rugby, his unfulfilled love for Margaret and the growing frustration with his predicament threaten to overshadow his success. In this bleak yet compelling narrative, Frank Machin stands as a testament to the unyielding truth that not all the riches in the world can purchase happiness. As he navigates the tumultuous tide of his life, we're left to ponder the ultimate cost of his success and ambition. What price is the brutal rugby player expected to pay in his pursuit of glory and unattainable love?

This Sporting Life is a drama movie featuring Richard Harris.

This Sporting Life is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Freevee, Plex, Plex Player, Shout! Factory TV, The Roku Channel and Tubi TV and it's also available on Criterion Channel.

It is also possible to buy This Sporting Life on Amazon Video and Apple TV.