VeteranLight I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Dynamixor The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Allison Davies The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

chaswe-28402 Stunningly successful cinematic treatment of a stage performance. Since I didn't see the stage show I'm not qualified to pass judgement on the filmic innovations, but I suspect they were ingenious and creative. The result is definitely cinematic, but highly unlike run-of the-mill movies. Packed with upwards of 25 recognisable British star names. The most memorable performance, imho, was that of Maggie Smith. I first saw this film about 1970, and the horrific moment when she reveals her harridan face has vividly stayed with me for 48 years. Another memorable scene was Corin Redgrave waving goodbye. Tickled to death to go. The film is also instructive. Amazing to discover that, by January 1915, 1,000,000 British men had actually volunteered to serve in this war. Particularly instructive was the film's opening section. Derided by some critics, I felt I learned a lot from seeing the map of Europe being rolled up, and the incomprehensible discussions between the major players. Does anybody know what this war was actually about ? It contrasts with the crystal-clear reasons for WWII, for which it paved the way. Underlying the narrative is the sinister but unavoidable sense that since we're all going to die, does it matter when ? Presumably it matters not when, but how. Hell's bells ting-a-ling for you but not for me. Toodle-oo, nah-poo, goodby-ee. Masterly: a far better film than Gandhi, which darling Dickie bangs on about in the DVD Special Feature.

peter_WMC Shocking, brilliant, unforgettable. The most brilliant indictment of the idiocy of war. Don't be discouraged by the title or the fact that it is a musical. It contrasts the propaganda and misinformation with the real horror and cost in lives of the war. It does it with music and song and with readings. All based on fact.A film that you will remember for ever.

mattimeo8 First of all, I should probably point out that I am almost certainly one of the youngest to review this film. My parents both saw the original stage production and are often waxing lyrical about it, so naturally when I discovered we also owned the DVD, my interest was piqued.And...what a film it is!Having been raised watching films dating back to the 50s, the 'dated' (if you can call it that) cinematography didn't concern me a bit. Instead, I was captivated all the way through, from the opening where the initial preparations of war are played out like an absurd live action game of Risk, to the final heart-wrenching shot of what seem to be endless rows of crosses. Despite the film's unusually long running time I found I wasn't once bored (and that's quite an achievement). I was astonished to find out this was Richard Attenborough's directorial debut - it seemed as well directed as any, and better than some, long-time directors.The film begins on pier where the start of the war is heralded by the public like some sort of carnival, before degenerating into the bleak, shell-shocked atmosphere we've come to associate with both World Wars. The film follows the Smith family as each male in the family signs up to take part in WWI, as well as glimpses into historical figures such as Sir Douglas Haig (played to perfection by Sir John Mills). The film is deeply satirical and unashamedly critical in its views of these officers who ordered thousands to their deaths as part of misguided attrition tactics. A memorable shot occurs during the title song, where Haig stumbles around blindfolded as part of a game of Blind Man's Bluff while a large cricket scoreboard looms over him displaying horrifying statistics of men lost vs ground gained. The film holds much of this juxtaposition between gut-wrenching realism and pathos, and events so ridiculous you almost can't help but laugh - a prime example being the arrival of the Americans into the war (cheerfully singing 'Over There') and the astounded expressions on the faces of Haig and co., and a second later you're back in the trenches with one of the Smiths preparing for a final offensive. The film is also deeply symbolic: there is no blood and all deaths occur of screen but all are foreshadowed by the appearance of a poppy near the doomed soldiers so that their fate is left in no doubt, all the while an eerily cheerful Joe Melia continues to pop up giving significant glances and smirks to the viewer as each Smith signs up - a figure easily comparable to Joel Grey's Emcee in 'Cabaret'.As someone who has been disillusioned with the idea of Remembrance Day since it seemingly became a promotional tool for any war our country currently invites itself into, this film certainly helped me remember what that day is really about. In my opinion, this film holds up against modern WWI films such as War Horse or Saving Private Ryan; however this film has the advantage of having (quite literally) an all-star cast who are all at the top of their game: names like John Mills, Maggie Smith, Ian Holm, Laurence Olivier, several Redgraves, Susannah York - all of whom are still known and recognised today.I don't care if this film was made before I was born; we need more films like this nowadays: less 3D CGI gimmick-y, more geared towards delivering a structured film with stellar acting from all involved. An absolute perfect 10.

Lee Eisenberg Richard Attenborough's directorial debut eventually got eclipsed by his other movies, but "Oh! What a Lovely War" is definitely one that everyone should see. The movie focuses on World War I, telling the story through the eyes of several members of a giant family in Brighton. To give you an idea of what kind of movie this is, there are some ugly scenes of the war juxtaposed with musical numbers. It's a sharp - but hilarious - satire every step of the way. No doubt people saw the film as an analogy to the Vietnam War at the time of its release. Not only does the movie do a great job showing the absolute futility of war, but there's a stark contrast between the battlefield and the palaces, where the ruling class remains conveniently detached from the realities of the war.Probably the most effective scenes are the Christmas Truce and the cemetery. The former shows how these soldiers, trained to see each other simply as "the enemy", suddenly saw each other as human beings, and thereby questioned the purpose of the war. The latter shows the result of the war, and how the cemetery has essentially become a monument to mass slaughter. Millions of young men used as cannon fodder, all so that Europe's imperial powers could stay in control of Africa and Asia.A who's who of British cinema dots the entire film. Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Michael Redgrave, Corin Redgrave (who died earlier this year), Vanessa Redgrave, Maggie Smith, Ian Holm, Susannah York, Dirk Bogarde, Ralph Richardson and others make appearances. Jane Seymour also makes her debut in an uncredited role.Like I said, this is definitely one that I recommend. I can't stress enough how great it is, just showing how terrible war is, all the while staying humorous. Without a doubt, you HAVE to see it.