Billy Liar

United Kingdom, 1963

Film
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Billy Fisher lives in the rich and escapist world of his wild imagination. An irresponsible clerk in a north country town, Billy is unable to tell the truth even for two minutes. In his fantasies, Billy is a successful man of the world; in reality he gets into one scrape after another. Unable to communicate with his parents, engaged to two girls at the same time and dreaming of being a writer, Billy’s life becomes almost unbearable. Into this picture enters Liz. Her free spirit and appreciation of the creativity behind the day-dreams, offers Billy the possibility of escape. Tom Courtenay is Billy and Julie Christie is Liz in what is recognised as one of the landmark films of its decade.

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Collection

In ACMI's collection

Credits

director

John Schlesinger

producer

Joseph Janni

production company

Vic Films

Waterhall Productions

Duration

01:38:00:00

Production places
United Kingdom
Production dates
1963

Collection metadata

ACMI Identifier

306563

Language

English

Audience classification

PG

Sound/audio

Sound

Colour

Black and White

Holdings

VHS; Access Print (Section 1)

Wikidata

Q317585

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If you would like to cite this item, please use the following template: {{cite web |url=https://acmi.net.au/works/85189/ |title=Billy Liar |author=Australian Centre for the Moving Image |access-date=3 May 2024 |publisher=Australian Centre for the Moving Image}}