Philadelphia Weekly

Richard Lester at 80: How I Won the War

Philadelphia-born director Richard Lester rarely gives interviews or participates in retrospectives. In fact, he’s modest to a fault: Not only can he claim A Hard Day’s Night, but his resume teems with under-appreciated gems, each belying an original and darkly satirical comic mind. He re-recruited John Lennon for his only non-Beatles screen performance in 1967’s How I Won the War, perhaps the only truly antiwar film ever made. Whereas even Paths of Glory implicitly supports “safer” ways to wage battle, Lester’s landmine-strewn burlesque buries valor and heroism behind a dense thicket of Brechtian jokes. Its most morbid running gag has servicemen, after they’re killed, reincarnated as life-size toy soldiers—a reminder that the Army always has more bodies to throw in harm’s way. The International House’s four-film Lester retro also gives you The Knack, a frenzied Swinging ’60s send-up that netted him the Palme d’Or, and The Bed-Sitting Room, an all-star post-apocalyptic romp so odd, he didn’t work for four years. -Matt Prigge

7pm. $7-$9. Ibrahim Theater, International House, 3701 Chestnut St. 215.387.5125. ihousephilly.org/film

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WHEN
Friday, November 02, 2012
Recurring: ONCE

TIME & PRICE
7pm. $7-$9.

WHERE
International House , 3701 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA
One time only on 11/02/2012. .

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