There is a channel over here called Turner Movie Classics,and lastnight it was 1960s northern English Kitchen sink Drama night,and This film as well as Billy Liar were shown.It was marvelous seeing old Belle Vue,the old Stand in all its glory,and all them old legendary star's too.Ken Traill had a small speaking part and his name was listed on the credits
I had a workmate who was a regular in Traill's pub in Hunslet and he told me that Ken Traill used to receive a cheque for a small amount every time the film was shown any where ,as a royalty payment.

I actually turned that on last night as well

I noticed that it was only the bit part actors that got the west yorkshire accent correct,all the main star's apart from Arthur Lowe couldnt get it right

got this on dvd, it's a decent watch. dennis waterman is a fan of some of machin's antics.....

Remember the film well, it was filmed at Belle Vue and Thrum Hall, Halifax. Have a T shirt bought for the Scottish RL with a pictire of Richard Harris as Frank Machin stood in front of the old Main Stand - oldies like me will remember it.

The referee in the City v Leeds "A Team" game where Frank Machin smacks his own hooker was an actual RFL Linesman from Eastmoor called Albert Rayner, I used to be friends with his lads and he said a few words when he sent the Leeds man off (by mistake) so should be on the credits.

Albert used to live next to my Grandmother and Grandad years ago, wasn't he a skipping world champ or something.

Yes, still got it on DVD and watch the film every now and again, apart from the fact it's shot in Wakefield, it really is a decent film to watch.

Reading the novel at the mo, great read

Albert Lived up the road from me on Barden rd. Think he held 3 world records at one time.given is age it was quite an achievement.

I used to live on Barden Road and went to Heath View.

To answer Shifty cat he was World Skipping Champion and was in the Guiness Book of Records. He was also a Boxer which I guess is where the skipping came from.

Classic film.

Love seeing Derek Turner's scene.

Didn't he also have a world record for swinging some sort of club ?

Indian clubs I think.

I was at that match Trinity V Wigan When the scenes for the filmed were played

I seem to remember being there and loads of cardboard cutout characters were placed around the ground to add to crowd whilst filming.
Anyone else remember that?

Not old enough to remember myself but was told the same by a friends grandma who was given free tickets for the bing to attend!

Some points of interest for the Wakey fan but by god, it's a depressing watch; it really is grim ooop North.

If i remember right,the cut outs were only used for filming on non match day.
The Wigan game was a sell out.

Thats Right MKcat there was no room for cut outs on matchday

I think in pure entertainment terms it's a poor film that hasn't dated well and if it were not for it's subject matter and setting we would have forgotten it like the rest of the world has. It's not a patch on most of the other early sixties northern dramas that so changed film making.

That said I love watching it and am proud of it's association with our clubs golden era.

Think your being a bit harsh there Vasty, I agree that as fans of the club we all probably rate the film better than what it actually is, but it is a decent enough film in its own right. Harris & Roberts both got Oscar nominations for this didn't they? Not saying its the best film ever but pretty good.

Maybe but the story doesn't really grab me - Harris though puts in a very menacing performance as Machin - Roberts frankly over does the misery for me.

Very few sports related films have ever really hit the mark, Raging Bull and the first Rocky probably the best - can't think of any team sports although there was an Aussie Rules one from the late 70's that was ok.

Each to their own.

Escape To Victory! pmsl

Quote ="vastman"I think in pure entertainment terms it's a poor film that hasn't dated well and if it were not for it's subject matter and setting we would have forgotten it like the rest of the world has. It's not a patch on most of the other early sixties northern dramas that so changed film making. That said I love watching it and am proud of it's association with our clubs golden era.'" Fail www.bfi.org.uk/features/bfi100/41-50.html www.film4.com/galleries/top-50-b ... -life-this news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/455170.stm www.imdb.com/list/89qBy7IreVM/

Quote ="vastman"I think in pure entertainment terms it's a poor film that hasn't dated well and if it were not for it's subject matter and setting we would have forgotten it like the rest of the world has. It's not a patch on most of the other early sixties northern dramas that so changed film making. That said I love watching it and am proud of it's association with our clubs golden era.'" Fail www.bfi.org.uk/features/bfi100/41-50.html www.film4.com/galleries/top-50-b ... -life-this news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/455170.stm www.imdb.com/list/89qBy7IreVM/

Quote ="Trinitarian"Fail www.bfi.org.uk/features/bfi100/41-50.html www.film4.com/galleries/top-50-b ... -life-this news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/455170.stm www.imdb.com/list/89qBy7IreVM/'" You think what you want I think it's a POOR film that no one other than RL fans really remember. You were one of the cardboard cut outs and I want my £5.

Quote ="Trinitarian"Fail www.bfi.org.uk/features/bfi100/41-50.html www.film4.com/galleries/top-50-b ... -life-this news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/455170.stm www.imdb.com/list/89qBy7IreVM/'" You think what you want I think it's a POOR film that no one other than RL fans really remember. You were one of the cardboard cut outs and I want my £5.

Oh sorry I forgot that the BFI are made up of ex members of the RFL and Film 4 are just the Dewsbury Rams BoD's moonlighting.