“The Winning Post Is No End...”: Tony Richardson - “The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner”

Krzysztof Lipka

Abstract

The subject of Lipka’s analysis is The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner that he thinks has revealed an increasing number of metaphorical meanings over the years. This multifaceted analysis contains discussions of the relationship between the film’s storyline and Alan Silitoe’s short story on which the screenplay was based. Also examined are the issues relating to editing (retrospection scenes begin with fine montage cuts), camera’s work (framings, close-ups and tracking reflect the moods of the hero; the „dancing camera” effect when the plot is gaining momentum), music (jazz themes and the ideological function of the hymn „Jerusalem”), or the use of light („dark” shots in contemporary scenes and „light” shots in retrospection scenes). Lipka argues that all the elements play a dramatic function, accentuating the emotional states of the hero and stressing that the main plot is taking place in memories, with the framework story being just its consequence. Some issues concerning interpretations are also raised in the text - the role of happiness and love in the life of the hero and his place in an unfriendly society.