Billy Liar (film)

Billy Liar is a 1963 black and white CinemaScope film based on the novel by Keith Waterhouse. It was directed by John Schlesinger and stars Tom Courtenay who had understudied Albert Finney in the West End theatre adaptation of the novel as Billy and Julie Christie as Liz, one of his three girlfriends. Mona Washbourne plays Mrs. Fisher, and Wilfred Pickles played Mr. Fisher. Rodney Bewes, Finlay Currie and Leonard Rossiter also feature. The Cinemascope photography is by Denys Coop, and Richard Rodney Bennett supplied the score.

Billy Fisher Tom Courtenay lives in Yorkshire with his parents Wilfred Pickles and Mona Washbourne and grandmother Ethel Griffies, and works as an undertakers clerk overseen by the rigid Mr. Shadrack Leonard Rossiter. Billy wishes to get away from his stifling job and family life. To escape the boredom of his humdrum existence, he constantly daydreams and fantasizes, often picturing himself as the ruler and military hero of an imaginary country called Ambrosia. He also makes up stories about himself and his family, causing him to be nicknamed Billy Liar.Billy has further complicated his life by proposing to two very different girls, the sheltered, virginal Barbara Helen Fraser and the tough, brassy Rita Gwendolyn Watts. He has given the same engagement ring to each girl and lies constantly to get it back from one and give it to the other, eventually resulting in a family row when Rita discovers he has lied about the ring being at the jewellers. Billy also finds himself attracted to his former girlfriend Liz Julie Christie, who has just returned to town after extensive travels. Liz is a free spirit who, unlike anyone else in town, understands and accepts Billys imagination. However, she has more courage and confidence than Billy, as shown by her willingness to leave her hometown and enjoy new and different experiences. ........

Source: Wikipedia