The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

Colin Smith (Tom Courtenay) wants nothing from the people who locked him up, but he has the legs for distance running. Sent to Ruxton Towers reformatory for robbing a bakery, he gets noticed by the Governor (Michael Redgrave), who sees a champion in him. Tony Richardson sets Colin on an upcoming race, with the Governor's favor and his peers' ridicule both riding on how he runs it.