Billy Liar (1963)

A young British clerk in a gloomy North Country undertaker's office, Billy is bombarded daily by the propaganda of the media that all things are for the asking. This transparently false doctrine, coupled with the humdrum job and his wild imagination, leads him on frequent flights to "Ambrosia," a mythical kingdom where he is crowned king, general, lover or any idealized hero the real situation of the moment makes him desire. His vacillating commitment and post-adolescent immaturity have created situations which make Ambrosia all the more attractive. He's succeeded in becoming engaged to two different girls, simultaneously, while in love with a third, Liz. He's in hot water with his employer, having spent a rather large sum of postage money on his personal frivolities. And last, but not least, his dream of becoming a highly-paid, famous scriptwriter in London seems doomed to failure. The only person in his life capable of bringing him down to earth is Liz, and she's having a difficult …

Director: John Schlesinger
Writers: Keith Waterhouse (screenplay), Willis Hall (screenplay)
Stars: Tom Courtenay, Julie Christie, Wilfred Pickles
Country: UK
Also Known As: A hazudós Billy
Ratings: 7.5/10 from 4,171 users
Awards: Nominated for 6 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 1 nomination >> See More