How I Won the War (1967)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Richard Lester

Writers:

Patrick Ryan (novel)
Charles Wood (screenplay)

Release Date:

23 October 1967 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | War

Tagline:

If You Think Richard Lester's 'How I Won The War' Is Just Another War Film, Forget It...

Plot:

An inept British WWII commander leads his troops to a series of misadventures in North Africa and Europe.

Plot Keywords:

John Lennon | Troop | Flashback | Army | WWII

US TV Schedule:

Sun. July 19

12:50 AM

PBS

Cast

Michael Crawford	...	Goodbody
John Lennon	...	Gripweed
Roy Kinnear	...	Clapper
Lee Montague	...	Transom
Jack MacGowran	...	Juniper
Michael Hordern	...	Grapple
Jack Hedley	...	Melancholy Musketeer
Karl Michael Vogler	...	Odlebog
Ronald Lacey	...	Spool
James Cossins	...	Drogue
Ewan Hooper	...	Dooley
Alexander Knox	...	American General
Robert Hardy	...	British General
Sheila Hancock	...	Mrs. Clapper's Friend
Charles Dyer	...	Happy-Trousered Man

Runtime:

USA:109 min | Argentina:109 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:16 | Singapore:PG | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | Australia:M | UK:X (original rating) | UK:12 (video rating)

Filming Locations:

Almería, Andalucía, Spain

Company:

Petersham Pictures

Trivia:

John Lennon found the Spanish location quite boring, so Ringo Starr flew out to keep him company.

Quotes:

Juniper: [enters scene dressed as a clown, pulling a hobby horse, as if acting a scene] Will you take my horse, sir?
Transom: [to Goodbody] Take no large notice, sir. He is working what is known as ticket, sir. Keeps the lads amused.
[Clapper, Drouge, and Spool join Juniper, dressed normally]
Transom: Pick those bits up, Gripweed!
[joining the scene]
Transom: Where's your tin hat gone, Juniper?
Juniper: Losing by neglect, sir!
Transom: If I catch you without your tin hat in a battle zone again, I'll ram it down your throat!
Clapper: Losing by neglect, one mess tin.
Juniper: One mess tin!
[...]

Movie Connections:

Spoofs Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Forgotten Gem

Although (unfairly) ravaged by critics at the time and so generally dismissed ever since, HOW I WON THE WAR is both a brilliant anti-war film and anti war film film (much more so than the usually heralded M*A*S*H). Filled with biting satire and brilliant performances from Michael Crawford, John Lennon, Roy Kinnear, Ronald Lacey, Michael Hordern and, well, the entire cast, HIWTW was perhaps a bit too odd for 1967 audiences who expected perhaps a more madcap adventure, but today it deserves not only a rethink - but a reissue on DVD. (Why this wonderful movie is not available on DVD (at least in the US) is yet another slap in its face.) Richard Lester and writer Charles Wood (who also wrote HELP! for the Beatles) have crafted a brilliant black comedy that easily stands with Dr Strangelove. It won't be everyone's cup of tea, granted, but if you forget your preconceptions and let it wash over you, you will be richly rewarded. RELEASE IT ON DVD!