King of Hearts

Although somewhat dated, Philippe de Broca’s 1966 cult classic farce still packs a memorable anti-war punch in its justly-acclaimed final scenes. Set in the French countryside during World War I, the film stars Alan Bates as Scottish soldier Charles Plumpick, who works with messenger pigeons. Due to a name mix-up, Plumpick is mistakenly chosen to disarm a bomb set by nearby German forces in a village where the locals have wisely fled—all except for the inmates of a lunatic asylum who are now free to roam the streets, donning various colorful work costumes and assuming civilian and military positions for which they are no doubt supremely unqualified. Plumpick desperately tries to find the bomb and save the people, but the latter are far more interested in playing dress-up and have crowned Plumpick as the King of Hearts—a role as leader of the insane that Plumpick gradually comes to prefer over the insanity of war. Geneviève Bujold costars as a tutu-wearing innocent who becomes Plumpick’s love interest. The silly antics of the inmates eventually grow somewhat precious and tiresome but the film is redeemed by a powerful ending. Extras include audio commentary by film critic Wade Major, and interviews with Bujold and cinematographer Pierre Lhomme. Recommended. (R. Pitman)