'How I Won the War' ('HIWtW', 1967), is a largely forgotten & maligned film that may have the distinction of being both an 'Anti-war Film' film & an 'Anti-war' film. 'HIWtW' unfolds in an unconventional plot structure formed by a series of narrated episodes/vignettes that are franticly-paced, dark, stirring, & above all surrealistic. A basic premise has Lt Goodbody (Michael Crawford) & the ever-dwindling survivors of his unit (featuring John Lennon with limited, but incredibly poignant, screen time) given orders to set a cricket pitch in open desert & behind enemy lines during the Allied invasion of North Africa. Marked by biting satire, brilliant performances, & excellent cinematography (shot in Andalucia, Spain), 'HIWtW' also boasts first rate writing, editing & cast, while experimental direction & production (the dead become tinted ghosts that continue on screen with the living & the use of authentic war footage) are dynamic. 'HIWtW' will likely be a unique film viewing experience without the gritty/gory realism of the modern day war genre films, but no less poignant. This war narrative with British humor/slapstick makes for a challenging (particularly on the opposite side of the pond), but greatly rewarding/entertaining film, & is a must for WWII genre enthusiasts & Crawford & Lennon fans. 'HIWtW' is also recommended for casual war/drama/action/humor viewers & those interested in cinematic social commentary. For similar themes consider: 'Dr Stragelove' (1964); 'MASH' (1970); 'Duck Soup' (1933); 'Catch 22' (1970); 'What Did You Do in the War, Daddy' (1966); 'Two Men Went to War' (2002); 'Kelly's Heroes' (1970); 'Castle Keep' (1969); '1941' (1979); 'Lawrence of Arabia' (1962); 'The Good Soldier Schweik', Pts 1& 2 (1956/7); & 'Sand Pebbles' (1966). Also consider: 'Signs of Life' (1968); 'Mediterraneo' (1991); 'I Was Nineteen' (1968); 'Help' (1965); 'Hell in the Pacific' (1968); 'Magical Mystery Tour' (1967); 'Big Red One' (1980); 'The Bed Sitting Room' (1969); & 'Stalag 17' (1953).

Simply and absolutely one of the most boring and self-important films ever made. When it came out in 1967, director Richard Lester made no secret of his conviction that he'd produced the greatest antiwar statement since 1930's All Quiet on the Western Front. In reality, it's one of the worst films of any kind since 1930.Here's Lester's antiwar strategy. Take a small number of British soldiers in a wear against Hitler and Nazism and show them to be a bunch of fools, cowards, and lunatics. Show that their mission - to build a cricket-pitch in enemy territory - is absurd. Show John Lennon's idiot minor character bloodily killed.That's it. Doesn't it make you hate war? Doesn't it prove that soldiers are suckers? Doesn't it make you want to protest Vietnam? Well, maybe all Richard Lester really wanted to do was make an amusing service comedy. Maybe his self-promoting comments were just trying to cash in on the antiwar feelings of the day.In that case he still failed. There are more laughs in five minutes of "Sgt. Bilko" than in this entire movie.I remember vividly being unable to stay awake watching this turkey in the theater forty years ago. I walked out, even though I'd paid good money. (Only two other movies in my entire life have had such a sleep-inducing effect on me, and "How I Won the War" may well be the worst of three.) A few years back somebody gave me the video. With access to coffee I managed to stay awake a just little longer. When I snapped awake I shut the thing off.Way back in 1967 I actually read Patrick Ryan's comic novel that was the basis of this film. It was funny in an aimless kind of way.This movie is unfunny in each and every way.

Wow, it is not everyday that one comes across a right-wing essay on the IMDB as one of the posters did in regards t this film. First of all, I am delighted to have finally seen this. Aside from "The Royal Flash" and "Cuba," I believe I have seen most of Richard Lester's films which are of significance. I think too look at this film from a mere political pov is a mistake. It is a good statement first of all about how utterly ridicilous the war process is. Sure, there are awful people like Hitler and Mullah Omar, out there who threaten the world at large but by and large, the war process rarely leads to any resounding political solutions and long-term peace and understanding. I think even people who generally support their government's wars would agree to this sentiment. Lester does a brilliant job of poiting this out through the course of this film, and he is helped by some great acting- including a surprisingly brilliant John Lenon to achieve this great satire. Lester, who was actually born in Philadelphia, has a great sense of man's moral faults and he reflects that in this film, as well as in "Petulia"- which is considered to be his best film. I think Lester's genius can even be seen in his two most blatant commerical ventures, "Suprman II" and "Butch and Sundance: The Early Years" as well as the Beatles movies. He deserves more respect, and I think one day he just might get it.

Maybe true heroism is less than heroic. "How I Won the War" is a very funny movie that in its own surreal way depicts very real and less than heroic motivations for war. The setting is North Africa and Europe during WWII. The insinuations of absurdity could be any place and any time. Aptly portraying the soldiers is a cast that includes a young Michael Crawford playing the group leader -- bumbling, patriotic, and self-possessed of a desire to be rewarded. Roy Kinnear competently plays the jolly and slightly addled, clear-thinking (albeit mumbling) realist. Michael Hordern is the Blimpo commander with the proverbial blinkers on, never letting his men down when it comes to providing them with exhortation. There is also John Lennon who renders a very capable job of portraying a naive pessimist (perhaps a reflection of his feelings at the time about his role as a member of another group). No one ever really dies in this movie; they merely change colors. And in the end, the entire experience of war is capsulated into a home movie. Look for Alexander Knox playing an American general.