Director

Richard Lester

1932 – 2006

Who they are

Born: 19 January 1932, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died: 25 March 2006
Known for: A Hard Day's Night, The Knack... and How to Get It, The Three Musketeers

Richard Lester was an American-born director who worked mainly in Britain. He is best known for directing the Beatles films A Hard Day's Night and Help!, whose fast, playful style shaped 1960s screen comedy. He later made The Three Musketeers films and Superman II.

Where to start

A Hard Day's Night (1964)Full guide
His breakthrough: the Beatles comedy whose quick-cut, loose style became hugely influential.
The Knack... and How to Get It (1965)Full guide
Swinging London comedy that won the top prize at Cannes and cemented his reputation.
The Three Musketeers (1973)Log in to add it to the library
Lively, comic swashbuckler that revived his career and was followed by a sequel.
Robin and Marian (1976)Log in to add it to the library
Elegiac take on the Robin Hood legend, with an older Robin returning from the Crusades.
Superman II (1980)Log in to add it to the library
Major blockbuster sequel that brought him to the biggest commercial audience of his career.

Their films in the library

Awards

1965: Palme d'Or (Cannes Film Festival) for The Knack... and How to Get It

The full list · 38

1959The Running Jumping & Standing Still FilmLog in to add it to the libraryDirector · Actor
1962It's Trad, Dad!Log in to add it to the libraryDirector
1963The Mouse on the MoonLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1964A Hard Day's NightLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1965Help!Log in to add it to the libraryDirector
1965The Knack... and How to Get ItLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1966A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the ForumLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1967How I Won the WarLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1968PetuliaLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1968Petulia: The Uncommon MovieLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
1969The Bed Sitting RoomLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1973The Three MusketeersLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1974The Four MusketeersLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1974JuggernautLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1975Royal FlashLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1975La routeLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1976Robin and MarianLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1976The RitzLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1979CubaLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1979Butch and Sundance: The Early DaysLog in to add it to the libraryDirector · Actor as Man Watching Hearse Pass by (uncredited)
1980Superman IILog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1983Superman IIILog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1983The Making of 'Superman II'Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
1984Finders KeepersLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1985The Making of 'Superman III'Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
1986A Turnip Head's Guide To The British CinemaLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
1989The Return of the MusketeersLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1991Paul McCartney's Get BackLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1995You Can't Do That! The Making of 'A Hard Day's Night'Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
1996SpikeLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
1998Richard Lester!Log in to add it to the libraryActor
2000The Unknown Peter SellersLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2002Things They Said TodayLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2004Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove'Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2006Filmmakers in ActionLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2007THE BEATLES in HELP!Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2014Spike Milligan: Love, Light and PeaceLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self - Director
2016The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring YearsLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self

Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.