Certificate
PG
Number of Discs
1
Country/Region of Manufacture
United Kingdom
Reviews
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., Sight And Sound - Schlesinger's production remains involving, 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., Christian Science Monitor - A pungent pleasure from start to finish.
Consumer Advice
Contains mild language, a sex reference and fantasy violence
Additional Information
BILLY LIAR was an immediate sensation as first a novel, then a hit play--both written by Keith Waterhouse, who also served as screenwriter on the film. Director John Schlesinger's screen version was a British landmark in the fertile cinema of the late 1950s and early '60s, and launched the career of Julie Christie, who plays Liz, one of Billy's flames. A young Englishman named Billy Fisher (Tom Courtenay) dreams of escaping from his dull working-class family and his dead-end job as an undertaker's assistant. In constant conflict with his parents and with the many women with whom he is romantically involved (he is engaged to two), Billy regularly escapes into a rich fantasy world. Sometimes he imagines himself to be the powerful dictator of a small country. In another fantasy, he wants to become the scriptwriter for a popular comedian on television. Unfortunately, he often blurs the line between fantasy and reality, which is exactly the reason that everybody calls him 'Billy Liar'.
Movie/TV Title
Billy Liar
Sound source
Dolby Digital
Screenwriter
Keith Waterhouse
Writer
Keith Waterhouse
