Exoticalot People are voting emotionally.

UnowPriceless hyped garbage

Dorathen Better Late Then Never

Mehdi Hoffman There's a more than satisfactory amount of boom-boom in the movie's trim running time.

lionel-14 The message given by this amazing and at times harrowing film, clearly defines all aspects of the human attitude to what was, a shocking and totally unnecessary sacrifice of multi millions of lives. The Great War....This cleverly constructed film plays on the emotions, and conveys to the audience a remarkable combination of happiness, shock, disbelief, shame, and sorrow.At the same time this film tends to develop a complete hold on one's mind. Attempting to believe how such terrible decisions were made in 1914, leading to this disastrous conflict. How could it ever have happened? Evidently due to the wealthy yet stupidly ignorant rulers of Europe. Together with Royalty and Politicians playing hideously dangerous games.This film conveys all these emotions in a very entertaining way. Brilliantly filmed, amazing acting, terrific wardrobe and makeup. Full of great songs and music of the time. This is an epic film that has not really achieved the exposure it deserved, way back in 1969.In it's genre I would rate this at the top of my favourite films. I have seen it twice, and it affected me emotionally on both occasions. It is currently playing in the UK on independent TV, and is being screened in high definition, and it looks fabulous!! Don't miss it....This film is a magnificent tribute to Sir Richard Attenborough the first film he directed over 40 years ago.I have had the good fortune to work with Sir Dickie in a technical role, on a number of occasions. So I know how caring and dedicated he is towards our craft. Oh What a Lovely War is a fine example of his skills

Jastrzebiec This is a superlative film. Though based on the Joan Littlewood stage play (itself derived from a Charles Chilton radio piece), the film has the creativity, visual sense and sardonic wit of Len Deighton throughout. Apparently, it also was Len who had the brainstorm to set the fantasy sections at Brighton, which worked brilliantly! Inexplicably, he asked for his name to be removed from the writing and producing credits. (Later, after swearing off the film industry, he got his revenge with his novel "Close-up.") Whatever "corporate changes" (in the sense of group-think) were made to his script, it still works. And it works extremely well. Not only as an anti-World War I piece, but as a powerful critique of the British class structure and the amoral diplomats and generals who sent millions, nearly a generation, to early graves. I can't think of another film that has so artfully blended satire, farce, tragedy and history. This film is "Dr. Strangelove" caliber, but it's a musical, using the patriotic tunes of the day with the sarcastic alternate lyrics that the troops themselves created.Kudos go to first-time director (now Lord) Richard Attenborough, and a stellar cast that was essentially the British Pantheon, circa 1969.I have never seen anything remotely like this, and I doubt if I ever will again. Emotional? If you don't have a few tears by the time they're playing "No, We'll Never Tell Them,"...better check for a pulse.

toonnnnn The first film directed by Sir Richard Attenborough tells the story of world war one,in a most unusual way,based on a stage play by Joan Littlewood.The story of the war is told through music hall songs and hymns of the period.The politics of the war all take place on Brighton pier.The film is full of the best British actors and actress's of the period Laurence Olivier,John Mills and Maggie Smith to name a few.The film introduces a mythical "Smith family" whoose males join up King and country.The trench scenes are well done,the flea bitten soldiers drinking tea,and talking,showing how comradeship can unite the men.The Christmas truce of 1915 where unofficially troops of both sides meet in no mans land exchange cigarettes and a drop of the hard stuff is touching.Memorable too is Maggie Smith encouraging volunteers to enlist is excellently done.The two scenes that stand out for me is the church service where the officers sing the right words to the hymn,"What a friend we have in Jesus" whilst a solo singer sings his own words amusing and bitter at the same time.The ending is simply overwhelming,showing the true cost of the war to end all wars.A film for the serious film fan,a gem of a film that makes you think,and tests your emotions.

CitizenCaine Richard Attenborough's directorial debut is not an anti-war film as much as it's an anti-World War One film. The film attempts to tell the horrendous story of how World War One unfolded with biting satire and through staging a series of musical numbers with their origins in British history at the time. Sometimes the lyrics are changed to fit the intent of the filmmaker, which is to clearly point out the absurdity of the war. Attenborough combines cinematic ideas with the theatrical origins of the piece in a way that does not completely satisfy the viewer. Instead of a cohesive narrative, we get a series of music hall sketches strung together, some which have retained their theatrical roots and others which have been relegated to the outdoors. At well over two hours, it is easy to understand why the film is rarely screened on television. To cut even one or two musical numbers to fit a particular time slot would create a gaping hole in the film, more so than in others. The first song in the film,"Oh you beautiful doll", is a curious choice though, as it was written three years before the outbreak of the war. There are several isolated scenes in the film that are grand and poignant: the scene with Maggie Smith as a brash aide for recruitment of soldiers, the soldiers from both sides meeting on the battle field, and of course the terrific ending. However, in between are scenes which are tedious and do not always work, like the churchyard scene. There are several moments evocative of the times the film was made in, coincidental or not, which detract from the film. One gets the notion while watching that the intended impact of the film was probably better suited to the more intimate confines of the theater than the big screen. The film features a who's who of British cinema: Olivier, Mills, Gielgud, Richardson, Bogarde, etc. and look for Jane Seymour as one of the chorus girls backing Maggie Smith during her number. **1/2 of 4 stars.