love most of his work. Superman III..is a stretch.
The Knack… And How to Get It is one of my favorites. The best swinging London film (Morgan is a close second). The Three (and Four) Musketeers is my favorite version of the book. The Ritz is probably dated (and perhaps retrograde although maybe not in the post-Bruno universe) today but I still find it hilarious. Juggernaut is the best disaster film of the 70s. Superman II is by far the best of the series (I’d be curious to see the Richard Donner cut to see exactly what Lester’s contribution is but there’s no doubt in my mind that the sequel is far superior to the original). After Superman II, his work declined and he seems to have disappeared (it’s sort of interesting that his career was basically over by the time he hit 50)
Anyone seen the Bed Sitting-Room? I’ve been meaning to but never could find it.
I’ve seen BED-SITTING ROOM. Good fun, but a bit dated. I’m a great fan of Lester’s. His films based on THE THREE MUSKETEERS are the best adaptation of Dumas, and a lot more faithful to the original than you’d think.
Petulia is an absolute gem of cinema.
“Help!’ is one of my favorite movies of all time, it’s so underrated it’s almost criminal.
>>After Superman II, his work declined and he seems to have disappeared (it’s sort of interesting that his career was basically over by the time he hit 50)<<
I understand that he was very distressed/depressed by the accidental on-set death of Roy Kinnear on FOUR MUSKETEERS. That’s I think what prompted the decline.
On the other hand, ROYAL FLASH and – one of my favorites – ROBIN AND MARION follow the second MUSKETEER film, but it gets rather dire from there.
Robin and Marian ( La Rose et la Flèche) is won…..derful !!
Old Robin (Sean Connery “woow”) coming back from the Crusades, trying to reconquer Marian (Audey Hepburn “woow”) who became a nun, having a last fight with his old ennemy the sheriff (Robert Shaw “woow”), and finding his old friend Little John (Nicol Williamson “woow”)….and having a good time in the Sherwood forest: this is the best Robin Hood story ( forget Errol Flynn !! )
Adding great actors like Ian Holm and Richard Harris, and a score by John Barry.
Its romantic, funny, well done, with great action scenes….what else do you need ??
Roy Kinnear died long after THE FOUR MUSKETEERS was completed. He died on the set of RETURN OF THE MUSKETEERS, long after ROBIN AND MARIAN and ROYAL FLASH.
I’ve never thought much of Lester,- i disliked The Knack, no fan of Hard Day’s Night, but today i’ve finally seen Petulia, which Dan wanted to pick in the world cup and i overruled, and which was in my mail rental queue anyway, a recent release in UK.
This is a superb film which struck me in several ways. Firstly because it became clear where Nic Roeg’s directorial film style came from, and especially Don’t Look Now also starring Julie Christie. I hadn’t even realised he was the cinematographer on Petulia; he does a grand job. When Julie Christie says at one point “i won’t forget you Arnold” (instead of Archie), the gamine Audrey Hepburn came to mind and then Charade, then Cray Grant, then the mention of him in the film (and his original name being Archie). There was a moment when John Barry’s music reminded me of Vertigo, then what should pop up but the Golden Gate bridge?’ Now how many other hidden references or connections does this film have, i wonder. But it’s a great film in its own right. I admire Roeg now more as a cinematographer but he seems less inventive as editor/director. Or did he feed any ideas to Lester? Did Lester and this film inspire him to direct? I must admit this is a film i don’t know too much about, it hovered on the periphery for me, after occasional appearances in critics’ top 10s some time back. It deserves more attention for sure. Interesting use of colours and locations, a mix of clinical and some 60s psychedelia, of kooky and deep, playful and serious, with welcome tenderness too.
>>Roy Kinnear died long after THE FOUR MUSKETEERS was completed. He died on the set of RETURN OF THE MUSKETEERS<<
I was misinformed.
But Lester was also the director of that film & he made only one more afterward, so the essentials are correct as to why he left filmmaking.
I Love “Petulia”. And “Help” is fantastic. I saw it not too long ago and was struck by how boldly imaginative it is. It’s positively avant-garde. Also, the songs on that collection owned!
The Bed Sitting Room is one of the best comedies of the 60s. IMO
The Three Musketeers/The Four Musketeers are great movies. I get them out and watch them about once a year. I can’t imagine that anyone will ever do versions which are better or even equal. I don’t know why they are not more appreciated. They would both make my ‘great movies that are under-appreciated’ list.
I agree with you Howard that Richard Lester is under-appreciated. I wish he was still working.
Anyone know how to find a copy of The Bed Sitting Room? I must see it!
BedSitting Room is available on DVD in England…but not in the US…that’s odd. A really OUT THERE movie!
Cuba and Juggernaut are not great films. But I think they’re fun. Very 70’s.
I concur Casey…I only liked the ending of Cuba…not a good sign…the rest was kind of dull. I liked Juggernaut more. I always thought Lester was British…he was from PA.
The Bedsitting Room is a great film, as is The Knack…And How to Get It. I don’t know if it deserved the Palme D’or, but it’s great nonetheless.
Not only does it survive, a myriad of filmmakers have copied him… some without even knowing it. Keep in mind, that Hard Day’s Night happened before ‘music videos’ was even a concept. His style of editing, framing, and pacing were special, unique to him alone. He was surely one of my greatest inspirations.
Howard Fritzson
If you look at his list of accomplishments (“A Hard Day’s Night,” “Help!,” “Petulia,” “Juggernaut,” The Musketeers films, etc.), he has a distinctive style and wit that are uncommon. He could sometimes enliven some pretty dead genres. I liked the blithely subversive performances he got from many of his actors, including The Beatles, which probably dates from his work with the Goon Show actors (“The Running Jumping & Standing Still Film”). He could also get some pretty intense performances (George C. Scott and Shirley Knight in “Petulia”). I think he is due for a revival.