THIS SPORTING LIFE (1963)

THIS SPORTING LIFE is a monochrome film from 1963 in which Richard Harris features as Frank Machin, a tough, rugby league playing miner who turns professional and becomes highly successful though he pays a heavy emotional price for this success. The film was passed '12A' for moderate sex and violence.

The film contains a brief and circumspect sex scene when Frank pushes Margaret onto the bed and attempts to kiss her. She struggles before allowing him to undo her blouse revealing her bra and sight of his hand tugging on the zip of her skirt at which point the scene finishes. At '12A' the Guidelines state, 'sexual activity may be implied.'

There are also moments of sporting and domestic violence. During the rugby scenes players are punched by other players resulting in the sight of bloodied noses. However, the black and white photography and the fact that the punches are masked tend to dilute the impact of the violence. Similarly, there are two occasions in which the highly volatile Frank slaps his landlady-cum-lover. Again, these are masked and inexplicit moments resulting in no apparent injury to the victim. These moments sit with the violence guidelines at '12A' which state that violence '..must not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood.'

There is some mild language which is restricted to frequent uses of 'bloody' and less frequent uses of 'bastard' and 'bugger'.