Billy Liar

Trailer

Play Dates

NEW 4K RESTORATION

August 14 – 20 New York, NY FILM FORUM

September 11 – 12, 14, & 16 Silver Spring, MD AFI SILVER THEATRE

Featured Quote

"ONE OF THE GREAT MOVIES OF THE 1960s...
In spite of its bitter edge, Billy Liar is pure Ambrosia.”
– A.O. Scott, The New York Times

About

United Kingdom, 1963
Director: John Schlesinger
Producer: Joseph Janni
Cast: Tom Courtenay, Julie Christie
Screenwriter: Keith Waterhouse, Willis Hall
Cinematography: Denys N. Coop
Music: Richard Rodney Bennett
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Black & White
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Language: English
Running Time: 98 minutes

Synopsis:
Billy Fisher (Tom Courtenay) is a feckless aspiring comedy writer in a Yorkshire town who indulges in a rich fantasy life amidst the reality of his endlessly nagging family, stuffy boss, and two fiancées. When his old flame Liz (Julie Christie) appears, the consequences of his immature decisions come crashing down.

Awards and Recognition:
Best British Actor, Best British Actress, Best British Cinematography, Best British Film, Best British Screenplay, Best Film from Any Source nominations (BAFTA Awards, 1964)

Restoration:
New 4K restoration from the original 35mm negative.

Reviews and Quotes 2

“A warm, witty, sensitive film…
Whatever happened later, something stirred in British cinema in the 60s.”
– Time Out (London)

“It's the director's most assured work, and it includes Courtenay's greatest performance. The young actor balances zestiness and frustration, levity and rage, and never soft-pedals his character's more unsympathetic tendencies.”
– Ryan Gilbey, New Statesman

“A brilliant urban comedy…
Seminal in acting, theme, direction and permissiveness.”
– Leslie Halliwell