7th July 2011
Directed by: Richard Attenborough
Staring: John Mills, John Gielgud, Laurence Olivier and Vanessa Redgrave
UK / 1969 / English
Based on Joan Littlewood’s theatre production, “Oh! What a Lovely War” is a classic tribute to the soldiers of the First World War, transforming the horrors of the war into a satirical musical.
Its director, the now Lord Richard Attenborough, manages to poke fun at the Generals while also hailing the enthusiasm the troops showed despite being sent to their doom. It follows the Smith family as its male members sign up and never come back, leaving the women isolated.
Throughout the film Attenborough used the traditional image of the poppy to signify death and a final stunning shot serves to underline the massive losses.