Billy Liar Reviews

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Good Points: Brilliant story, well acted.

Bad Points: none

General comments: Basically a British masterpiece that every film buff should have in their collection. Written by Keith Waterhouse and directed by John Schlesinger it was filmed in B/W in 1963 at Shepperton studios and on location in west Yorkshire and tells the story of Billy Fisher ( Tom Courtenay) an aspiring writer and undertakers clerk who lives in a fantasy world he dreams up. A compulsive liar and lazy to boot Billy get's in all sorts of difficult situations due to his massive fibs. He is engaged to 2 girls at the same time juggling one engagement ring between them both, is responsible for posting out the works calendars but destroys them and spends the postage money and ducks and dives his way through life retreating into his make-believe world when the going gets tough. Billy aspires to be a comedy script writer and has sent some of his work to London comedian Danny Boon (Leslie Randall) for approval, Boon has not replied but this doesn't stop Billy telling all and sundry that he has got a writing job in London and plans to give his notice and move away. All his lies and fantasies conspire to create an intolerable situation which reaches it climax in the local dance hall when both girlfriends finally meet and start fighting, it's announced publicly and worse still to Billy Boss (Leonard Rossiter) that Billy is going to London. Meanwhile Billy's Grandma (Ethel Griffies) is taken Ill and dies and his long suffering Mother (Mona Washbourne) and Father (Wilfred Pickles) need Billy at home at this time but Billy has met with the girl of his dreams Liz (Julie Christie) a free spirited go anywhere kind of girl who offers him the chance to leave his past behind and go with her on the midnight train to London. With his chaotic life in pieces Billy agrees and in the final scenes we see him sat with Liz on the train ready to depart - I'll not give the ending away but Billy acts predictably at the end. A fantastic film described as 'new wave' in it's day and very enjoyable to watch now.