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.
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Title: Oh! What a Lovely War (1969)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Wendy Allnutt | ... | Florence Victoria 'Flo' Smith | |
 |
Colin Farrell | ... | Harry Arnold Smith |
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Malcolm McFee | ... | Frederick Percy 'Freddie' Smith |
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John Rae | ... | Grandpa Smith |
| Corin Redgrave | ... | Bertram Biddle 'Bertie' Smith | |
| Maurice Roëves | ... | George Patrick Michael Smith | |
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Paul Shelley | ... | Jack Henry Smith |
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Kim Smith | ... | Richard 'Dickie' Smith |
| Angela Thorne | ... | Elizabeth May 'Betty' Smith | |
| Mary Wimbush | ... | Mary Emma Smith | |
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Vincent Ball | ... | Australian Soldier |
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Pia Colombo | ... | Estaminet Singer |
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Paul Daneman | ... | Czar Nicholas II |
| Isabel Dean | ... | Sir John French's Lady | |
| Christian Doermer | ... | Fritz | |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
A movie about World War I based on a stage musical of the same name, portraying the "Game of War", and focusing mainly on the members of the Smith family who go off to war. Much of the action in the movie revolves around the words of the marching songs of the soldiers, and many scenes portray some of the more famous (and infamous) incidents of the war, including the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, the Christmas meeting between British and German soldiers in no-man's-land, and the wiping out by their own side of a force of Irish soldiers newly arrived at the front, after successfully capturing a ridge that had been contested for some time. Written by Sonya Roberts <sonya_roberts@geocities.com>
Plot Keywords:
song | world war one | anti war | reference to rupert brooke | family relationships |Taglines:
The ever popular war game with songs battles & a few jokes See more »Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
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Details
Country:
UKRelease Date:
3 October 1969 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Aftos o yperohos polemos See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
Color (Technicolor) (uncredited)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
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(uncredited)
Traditional, lyrics by Robert Burns
Arranged by Alfred Ralston
Performed by chorus
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Theatrical movie debut of Jane Seymour (Chorus Girl). She was later married to Director Sir Richard Attenborough's son Michael from 1971 to 1973. See more »Goofs
When Sir John's car drives off after his conversation with Harry, a modern car can be seen reflected in the window. See more »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 ...See more »
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 See more »Soundtracks
Auld Lang Syne(uncredited)
Traditional, lyrics by Robert Burns
Arranged by Alfred Ralston
Performed by chorus
See more »
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What struck me most about the film was Maggie Smith's remarkable transformation as she was at first an alluring young girl,- the Music Hall star as recruiting agent - the epitome of that era's romantic glorification of Going To Do Battle,then as the blood and death became evident, her character was transformed into a painted, ravaged whore.The heart-rending ending aside,the acres and acres of crosses dotting a hillside,her symbolism is what stays with us.My sister's-in-law first husband was next to Rudyard Kipling's son when he got blown up,and the sensitivity and denial of that time was such that the Kipling family only received notice that their son was "lost".This film managed to show just that attitude.And-- it resonates in today's view of the current lost cause.