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How I Won the War | Dick Lester Went a Little too far with this Film Bizarre is too kind a word for this film. Director and Producer Richard Lester made a significant jump from the Beatles "HELP" to this over ambitious and dark military satire that makes "Catch 22" appear sane. Michael Crawford shares billing with John Lennon, but Lennon offers little more than an extended cameo appearance with a few glib remarks. There are appearances by a few other Lester "Regulars" including Roy Kinear in this film. The picture is loaded with flash-forwards, flashbacks, and often intercut with black and white footage from unrelated military movies. Even the soundtrack from "Lawrence of Arabia" finds its way into two scenes. You have to listen carefully to catch the fast-paced irreverent dialogue. There is a short B Not Chuffed, Mate Richard Lester has directed great movies, and Three Musketeers (Michael York) is on my ten favorite action movie list. "How I Won the War" is not one of his best. Oh, and John Lennon? He doesn't occupy much of this film, and when he speaks, it's rapid-fire one line blitzkreig Liverpudlian. Had trouble understanding "Magical Mystery Tour?" This will really be a stumper. A historical artifact, only, if harmless. Surrealistic Anti-War Movie HOW I WON THE WAR was filmed in Spain in late 1966. The movie features John Lennon and Michael Crawford of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA fame. Richard Lester is the director. The movie is a surrealistic anti-war movie. The surrealism will turn off many viewers. There is no standard plot structure. This movie can almost be seen as experimental and avante-garde. These qualities drew Lennon to the project. But they are bound to draw viewers away. HOW I WON THE WAR is akin to REVOLUTION 9 on THE WHITE ALBUM or WHAT'S THE NEW MARY JANE from ANTHOLOGY 3. This movie is cutting edge and pushes the envelope. It is unconventional and approaches psychedelia. Not surprisingly, Lennon composed STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER while making this movie. The movie suffers from not having songs or compositions by Lennon on the soundtrack. Both Lennon and Crawford are singers, but there are no songs in the movie. John Lennon's character Gripweed is a supporting character in the movie. The movie, moreover, has an anti-war theme by showing the absurdity, banality, and hollowness of all war. There is no good war. The movie shows how "winning" a war really occurs. The movie, thus, lacks a feelgood perspective. It leaves the viewer disgusted with war by showing that war is not glorious and noble, but the opposite. Viewers should realize that this movie is surrealistic and experimental. In other words, it is not a commercial movie. It is a satirical look at war. It is a unique movie unlike any other Beatles movie. It is closest to MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR in that it is not a traditional movie. It is a very different war movie. Obviously such a surrealistic movie will not appeal to many. Nevertheless, it is a unique movie experience, not the usual formula movie. Buy How I Won The War at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on How I Won The War Search with the Priority Search Engine on How I Won The War This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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