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High Street Theatre presents The Monuments Men, a film about one of the largest art heists in history, on Friday, May 6, at 7 p.m. Admission and popcorn are free for everyone.

Based on the true story of the greatest treasure hunt in history, The Monuments Men is an action drama focusing on an unlikely World War II platoon tasked by FDR with going into Germany to rescue artistic masterpieces from Nazi thieves and returning them to their rightful owners. It would be an impossible mission: with the art trapped behind enemy lines, and with the German army under orders to destroy everything as the Reich fell, how could these guys — seven museum directors, curators and art historians, all more familiar with Michelangelo than the M-1 — possibly hope to succeed? But as the Monuments Men, as they were called, found themselves in a race against time to avoid the destruction of 1,000 years of culture, they would risk their lives to protect and defend some of western Europe’s greatest artistic achievements.

Several touchstones of western European art history were among the looted art the Monuments Men were tasked with tracking down, including Johannes Vermeer’s The Artist’s Studio and The Astronomer, Leonardo da Vinci’s Lady with an Ermine, Michelangelo’s Bruges Madonna, and the Ghent Altarpiece – stolen a stunning seven times since its creation in 1432 – widely considered one of the most important and valuable works of art in existence.

The Monuments Men is rated PG-13 for language, some images of war violence and historical smoking. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a responsible guardian.

Schedules, film trailers, and details about the ratings can be found on the LCVA website and Facebook page, or by scanning the QR code on the exterior of the theater.

About High Street Theatre:

The High Street Theatre (HST) is Longwood University’s flexible use theater space. Its mission is to engage a diverse community through accessible and inclusive programs, including film, performance, and other forms of visual arts.  The theater is located at 102 ½ High St., in Farmville Admission to the High Street Theatre is free for all. For additional information, visit LCVA’s website at https://lcva.longwood.edu/. The space may also be reserved for private functions when it is not otherwise in use. Facility rental inquiries should be directed to Lorrie Watson at watsonlc@longwood.edu.