4 – 10 NOVEMBER 2023

As excitement builds over the release of Now and Then, the new (and final) single from The Beatles, it seemed an opportune moment to reflect on their film work, both individually and collectively. They were fortunate to start out with director Richard Lester who crafted two mini-masterpieces with A Hard Day’s Night (1964) and Help! (1965). Yellow Submarine (1968) was a unique enterprise and the farewell documentary Let It Be (1970) won an Oscar for Best Score. John Lennon had already appeared in How I Won the War (1967) and, later, made a handful of shorts. Ringo Starr involved himself in some unusual projects (to put it mildly): two of these were The Magic Christian (1969) and the 1971 western Blindman. Paul McCartney went on to write arguably the best Bond song for Live and Let Die (1973). However, it is George Harrison’s work as an executive producer, helping to give the green light to films such as Mona Lisa and Withnail and I (which we showed) that is the most significant contribution.   
A KISS BEFORE DYING (1956) Sunday 4 November 10.05pm-12midnight TP (Ch 82)              
Robert Wagner was seldom able to stretch himself in dramatic roles unlike Tony Curtis, for example. He does so here, though, as a psychopathic killer who needs to get rid of his girlfriend (played by Joanne Woodward). Filmed in CinemaScope. 
HIT THE ROAD (2021) Tuesday 7 November 11.25pm-1.20am Film Four    P       
We haven’t always fared well with our ventures into Iranian cinema and road movies can sometimes divide audience opinion. (I was never overly fond of 1971’s Two-Lane Blacktop although Warren Oates is superb and it deserves its cult status.) This film combines the two (an Iranian family is driving across a wild landscape as events unfold), but we like to recommend directorial debuts and Panah Panahi does a very good job. 
PATHS OF GLORY (1957) Friday 10 November 5.10-7.05pm Great Action (Ch 42)           
Great Action rarely shows anything this good! One of my formative viewing experiences (aged about nine, as I recall) was discovering this masterpiece, late at night when I was supposed to be asleep. Kirk Douglas is ordered to take the Ant Hill – whatever the cost to his men – whilst the generals wine and dine in a French château. It was banned in France for many years. When asked, I say still that it is the best (anti) war film I have seen.
PAN’S LABYRINTH (2006) Friday 10 November 11.05pm-12.55am BBC 2            
It did well enough in our 2007/2008 season (81%), but it is one of the best films LRFS has ever shown and should have had 10 to 14% more. It has such a rich tapestry: stunning visually; adroit as a political allegory; thought-provoking in its depiction of the Spanish Civil War and its aftermath. Then, to top it all, Guillermo del Toro interweaves a breathtaking fantasy anchored by a young innocent. Pan’s Labyrinth is what cinema is all about – Spiderman, please don’t bother to come home.