These wonderful photos provide a behind the scenes look at filming of Billy Liar in Leeds. Filming locations for the movie, based on the 1959 novel by former YEP reporter Keith Waterhouse and directed by John Schlesinger, included The Headrow and Leeds Town Hall and Green Lane in Wortley. It starred Tom Courtenay in the lead role and Julie Christie as Liz, one of his three girlfriends. The movie tells the story of Billy Fisher who lives in Yorkshire with his parents and grandmother. He wished to get away from his stifling job and family life and to escape the boredom of his humdrum existence, he constantly daydreamed and fantasized, often picturing himself as the ruler and military hero of an imaginary country called Ambrosia. These made up stories about himself and his family, caused him to be nicknamed 'Billy Liar'. In reality, he lived in a lower-middle-class home with parents who constantly scold and nag him about his behaviour. Released in 1963 the film would go on to be ranked 76 in the British Film Institute's list of the top 100 British films. These behind the scenes photos are published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. READ MORE: Memories of the cobbled streets of Leeds LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
7. Billy Liar
Actor Tom Courtenay during shooting in which he played the title role. This scene, shot at a site off Green Lane, shows Billy's dream of being the head of the state of Ambrosia, where he is preparing to take the salute at the victory parade. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
8. Billy Liar
In this scene, Billy (played by Tom Courtenay) is standing in the turret of an armoured car as it is driven through the streets of the ruined city of his dreams. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
9. Billy Liar
Actor Tom Courtenay during the shooting of the film in which he played the title role. He is seen here in part of a dream sequence in which he drives a tank through the streets of his imaginary land Ambrosia. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
10. Billy Liar
A group of extras preparing for a scene, taking place on an area of cleared ground off Green Lane. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
11. Billy Liar
A group of extras preparing for a scene. Graffiti for the film was written on the walls of buildings ready to be demolished. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
12. Billy Liar
A group of extras preparing for the shooting of a scene in the film. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net