An inept British WWII commander leads his troops to a series of misadventures in North Africa and Europe.
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Title: How I Won the War (1967)
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Drama
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A Hard Day's Night
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Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Michael Crawford | ... | ||
| John Lennon | ... | ||
| Roy Kinnear | ... | ||
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Lee Montague | ... | |
| Jack MacGowran | ... | ||
| Michael Hordern | ... | ||
| Jack Hedley | ... |
Melancholy Musketeer
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| Karl Michael Vogler | ... | ||
| Ronald Lacey | ... | ||
| James Cossins | ... |
Drogue
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| Ewan Hooper | ... |
Dooley
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| Alexander Knox | ... |
American General
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| Robert Hardy | ... |
British General
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| Sheila Hancock | ... |
Mrs. Clapper's Friend
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| Charles Dyer | ... |
Happy-Trousered Man
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Edit
Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Storyline
This film features former Beatle John Lennon and Roy Kinnear as ill-fated enlisted men in under the inept command of Lieutenant Earnest Goodbody. The story unwinds mostly in flashbacks of Lieutenant Goodbody who has lower-class beginnings and education which make him a poor officer who commands one of the worst units of the army. Written by Jenny Evans <[email protected]>
Taglines:
"What we want is more humane killers!" See more »Certificate:
See all certifications »Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
Edit
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
18 October 1967 (UK) See more »Also Known As:
Cómo gané la guerra See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Recording System)Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1
Edit
(uncredited)
Written by Eberhard Storch, English language lyrics written by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons
Perhaps sung by Michael Crawford
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The glasses worn by John Lennon were known as "metal British National Health Service (NHS) style frames". The standard issued eyeglasses were covered by the "free" British health care system. John Lennon was "blind as a bat" claimed fellow Beatle Paul McCartney. While making the movie, he felt a sense of liberation being able to see while not worrying about how he looked in them. The glasses, which at the time were the farthest thing from being fashionable were a keeper. They have now become known as John Lennon glasses and are available in most optical store in the western hemisphere. See more »Soundtracks
Auf Wiedersehn, Sweetheart(uncredited)
Written by Eberhard Storch, English language lyrics written by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons
Perhaps sung by Michael Crawford
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
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How I Won the War was a critical and commerical faliure upon it's initial release. The film was attacked for mocking the Vietnam conflict and dismissed by Beatle fans looking for another slapstick romp in vein of Lesters previous efforts A Hard Day's Night and Help. While both of those films are excellent in their own right, How I Won the War is far more ambitious and even funnier. Richard Lester had a knack for comic timing and staging slapstick, and it works beautifully in this film. It also bears the usual trademark Lester visuals, with some really surreal set pieces and strange imagery. British veterans Michael Crawford, the late Roy Kinnear, Michael Horden and the late Jack Macgowran give hilarious performances, although it is John Lennon as the glib and sarcastic Gripweed who steals the movie. Lester would go on to make Petulia with Julie Christie, George C. Scott and Richard Chamberlain a year later, his masterpiece and like this film sadly forgotten.