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Actors: Wendy Alnutt, Colin Farrell, Malcolm McFee, John Rae, Corin Redgrave
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about Oh! What a Lovely War |
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This early (1969) film by Richard Attenborough depicts the events of World War I satirically as the "Great Game of War." The plot focuses vaguely on the Smith family as they go off to fight but is stylized, with much of the "action" taking place at a seaside carnival/boardwalk, and Europe's leaders wandering and arguing across a large room whose floor is a map of the continent. Famous and infamous incidents from the war are briefly depicted, with a sort of musical-hall lightness (many of the songs of the era are performed) and farcical savagery. The supporting cast includes many greats of the British stage: John Gielgud, Laurence Olivier, Michael Redgrave, Vanessa Redgrave, Ralph Richardson, Maggie Smith, Susannah York, as well as a few faces that would become more familiar later, such as Ian Holm, Edward Fox, Dirk Bogarde, and (in a tiny, uncredited role) Jane Seymour. An oddly memorable piece of work, written mostly by spy novelist Len Deighton based on a play by Charles Chilton and a musical play by Joan Littlewood.
--David Loftus, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of Oh! What a Lovely War |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Comedy, primarily
Yes
Time/era of movie:
- 1900-1920's
If a parody... of
- history
War impact on civilians/veterans
Yes
Kind of comedy
- political satire
Kind of conflict:
- war (general)
- war, WW I
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- infantry soldier
Age:
- 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Hair color?
- brunette (Black)
Hair type
- (man) short/standard wavey
Body type
- (man) average
Events of movie makes character more...
- sad
Ethnicity/Nationality
- British
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor?
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
Eccentric:
Yes
- deluded
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 40%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- German
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Europe
Yes
European country:
- England/UK
- France
- Germany
Misc setting
- resort/hotel
- fort/military installation
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
Movie makes you feel...
- challenged
Non-American film?
Yes
What language?
- English
Subtitles?
- No
Any profanity?
- None
If lots of song/dance...
- lot of singing
Is this movie based on a
- play
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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