MovieChat Forums > How I Won the War (1967) Discussion > Oh! What a Lovely War!

Oh! What a Lovely War!

posted 16 years ago by escalera-2
4 replies | jump to latest

That picture was released in 1969, but I find some people on-line insisting that this was the original title of "How I Won the War" 1967 (which doesn't make any sense at all since Patrick Ryan's book was so named and is kind of the punchline of the movie) and that John Lennon had a small part in the latter film.

One fellow on e-Bay is selling a lobby card for "Oh! What a Lovely War" and refers you to the internet to look up JOHN LENNON OH! WHAT A LOVELY WAR! and if you do, sure enough there are some comments, and even one site that sells photos and posters that is selling a black and white photo of Lennon dressed in his Private Gripweed outfit with the caption saying it is from "Oh! What a Lovely War!".

I know that Richard Lester's black comedy is a bit obscure and maybe that is the reason why there is rampant confusion. Or I am the one who is confused? Rampantly speaking.

Thanks in advance.

[–] glamourina 16 years ago

It's an entirely different movie, starring:

John Mills
John Gielgud
Laurence Olivier
Michael Redgrave
Maggie Smith
Susannah York

And is about WWI and is based on a play. Completely different movie.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh%21_What_a_Lovely_War

Dr. Hackenbush: If I hold you any closer, I'll be in back of you.

[–] escalera-2 16 years ago

Just as I thought. I appreciate your confirmation. As I mentioned in my previous post, out in cyber-space, there are souls who believe it is the same film, different name.

Thanks for that.

[–] Moscoso1967 13 years ago

Yes, definitely anothe movie, directed by Richard Attenborough, but nevertheless pretty awesome and unusual. But I guess if you liked How I Won The War you might like Oh! What A Lovely War as well, as both are very surreal, funny, "light" and yet at the same time dark and tragic.

But I've seen that picture of Lennon too and wondered how this came about, if this was just an error or did somebody really think this would just look like a suitable comment...

[–] escalera-2 13 years ago

Could be a sales gimmick, too. Oh, well, a trivial pursuit.

Thanks to all. You've got a lucky face.