Watch Oh! What A Lovely War

Oh! What a Lovely War is a 1969 British war movie set during World War I. Directed by Richard Attenborough, the film has a star-studded cast including Wendy Allnutt, Colin Farrell, and Malcolm McFee. The movie is a musical comedy-drama that portrays the events of World War I using popular songs and music hall numbers of the time. The film is based on a stage show created by Joan Littlewood and the Theatre Workshop in the 1960s.

The story of the film follows the Smith family, a fictional working-class family from Britain. The family members are portrayed as enthusiastic patriots who are excited to do their part for the war effort. However, as the war progresses and their relatives and friends are killed, they begin to question the motives of the military leaders and government.

The movie is a satirical take on the war, highlighting the absurdity and futility of the conflict. It depicts the war as a game played by the upper classes, with the working-class soldiers as mere pawns. The film also portrays the war as a technological race, with the two sides trying to outdo each other with ever more destructive weapons.

Oh! What a Lovely War is a visually stunning film and the production design is particularly noteworthy. The movie was shot entirely on location, with some scenes filmed on the actual battlefields of the Somme in France. The film also features archival footage from the period, which gives the movie a documentary-style feel.

The movie's soundtrack is made up of popular songs and music hall numbers from the time. The songs are used to highlight the themes of the film and to provide a contrast between the upbeat music and the grim reality of the war.

The film also has a strong anti-war message, with the final scene showing a cemetery filled with crosses, each one representing a life lost in battle. The film ends with a quote from the German General Erich Ludendorff, who said, "This war is not ended by the victory of one side or the other, it is ended by the exhaustion and the despair and the disillusionment of the people themselves."

Oh! What a Lovely War was a critical and commercial success upon its release, winning numerous awards and nominations. The film was praised for its innovative use of music and its bold message about the futility of war.

In conclusion, Oh! What a Lovely War is an important and thought-provoking film about the First World War. The movie provides a unique perspective on the war, using music and satire to highlight the absurdity and tragedy of the conflict. The film remains relevant today, as the world continues to grapple with the devastating effects of war.

Oh! What A Lovely War is a 1969 comedy with a runtime of 2 hours and 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.