Synopsis
A young Englishman dreams of escaping from his working class family and dead-end job as an undertaker's assistant. A number of indiscretions cause him to lie in order to avoid the penalties. His life turns into a mess and he has an opportunity to run away and leave it all behind.
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Cast
- Tom CourtenayWilliam Terrence 'Billy' Fisher
- Julie ChristieLiz
- Wilfred PicklesGeoffrey Fisher
- Mona WashbourneAlice Fisher
- Ethel GriffiesGrandma Florence
- Finlay CurrieDuxbury
- Gwendolyn WattsRita
- Helen FraserBarbara
- Leonard RossiterEmanuel Shadrack
- Rodney BewesArthur Crabtree
Recommendations
- 100
Christian Science Monitor
A pungent pleasure from start to finish. - 90
The New York Times
One of the great movies of the 1960's, but it has been, in this country at least, maddeningly elusive. In spite of its bitter edge, Billy Liar is pure Ambrosia. - 80
Village Voice
Often seems less a British new wave front-runner than a charming nouvelle vague tagalong, - 70
Chicago Reader
Tom Courtenay is quite good in the title role, and Julie Christie makes a memorable early appearance . - 70
Variety
An imaginative, fascinating film.
