Oh! What a Lovely War

1969
G
2h 24m

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

3.3K

YOUR RATING

Satire Comedy Musical War

The working-class Smiths change their initially sunny views on World War I after the three boys of the family witness the harsh reality of trench warfare.The working-class Smiths change their initially sunny views on World War I after the three boys of the family witness the harsh reality of trench warfare.The working-class Smiths change their initially sunny views on World War I after the three boys of the family witness the harsh reality of trench warfare.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

3.3K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 6 BAFTA Awards
- 8 wins & 8 nominations total

Trivia
The song "La Chanson de Craonne" ( "Adieu la Vie" ), sung byPia Colombo(Estaminet Singer) in this movie, commemorates a mutiny in 1917 by French troops. Merely singing it was considered an act of mutiny, and it was banned in France until 1974. During the war, a reward of one million francs and immediate honorable release from the Army was offered for the identity of the author, but never claimed.

Goofs
Sir Edward Grey (Ralph Richardson) is shown early in the film being accompanied by his wife, described in the credits as Lady Pamela Grey. In fact, Grey did not marry Pamela (nee Wyndham, and the widow of Lord Glenconer) until 1922.

Quotes
Soldier Singer:It was Christmas Day in the cookhouse, the happiest time of the year, Men's hearts were full of gladness and their bellies full of beer, When up popped Private Shorthouse, his face as bold as brass, He said We don't want your Christmas pudding, you can stick it up your... tidings of co-omfort and joy, comfort and joy, o-oh ti-idings of co-omfort and joy. It was Christmas Day in the harem, the eunuchs were standing 'round, And hundreds of beautiful women were stretched out on the ground, Along came the big bad Sultan, and gazed on his marble halls, He said Whaddya want for Christmas boys, and the eunuchs answered... tidings of co-omfort and joy, comfort and joy, o-oh ti-idings of comfort and joy.

Crazy credits
Opening credits prologue: The principal statements made by the historical characters in this film are based on documentary evidence and the words of the songs are those sung by the troops during the First World War

Connections
Featured inLove Tory: A Film Portrait of Alan Clark(1993)

Soundtracks
Oh, It's a Lovely War
(uncredited)
Written by John Long and Maurice Scott
Performed byJohn Millsand chorus

User reviews75

Review

Featured review

8/10

A brilliant, moving, anti-war film

I first saw this film when it came out. I was 10 years old, the Viet Nam war was still going on, and it blew me away completely.

I saw it again 5 years later, in a revival house. I went with a high-school friend, happy to be able to introduce its power and brilliance to someone new. It blew her away completely.

That was 27 years ago, and I would give almost anything to know if the film could still move me as much as it did those first two times. It is not available on video, and I've never seen it broadcast on any TV channel.

This is truly one of those films that burned itself into my memory at first viewing. I urge anyone who finds the chance to see it to run, not walk, to the theatre! The Great War -- the War to End All Wars -- has faded deep into the past for most people, and we forget that the death-toll from that conflict blighted an entire generation. This film makes that loss all too vivid, using the music of the war itself.

Truly a classic, in the most literal sense of the word: a film for the ages.