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| Director: Richard Lester
Actors: Michael Crawford, John Lennon, Roy Kinnear, Lee Montague, Jack Macgowran
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
List Price: $14.95
Buy New: $14.30
You Save: $0.65 (4%)
New (14) Used (12) Collectible (1) from $7.69
Rating:  24 reviews
Sales Rank: 7291
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 109 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 6301969510
UPC: 027616045539
EAN: 9786301969512
ASIN: 6301969510
Theatrical Release Date: October 23, 1967
Release Date: December 5, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW FACTORY SEALED!!!!
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 24
 Nowarman December 31, 2001
G. Reid (Oshkosh, WI United States)
7 out of 12 found this review helpful
I am a huge Beatles, Movies, John Lennon, Richard Lester and British humor fan, however, this 'film' is a real disappointment. Yes, I did own it for a while but gave it away after watching it three times. It is not funny! The dialogue is extremely hard to hear and there is no such thing as a plot of even the hint of one. It's fine to be anti-war but you need more then that to make a decent movie. I think this one is given high marks because of the talent involved, but the results are very poor indeed. If it's one of your favorites I apologize, well ... maybe.
 Confusing but fruitful February 12, 1999
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
Not as funny as the advertisements make it sound, there are good things to be gleaned from this film if you hang on till the end. The footage from wars and older movies adds something to the new film, and there are several moments that make you cry and a few that just give you a good feeling. Overall the film is not too gory, and is pathetic in a way that makes one understand the actors' feelings about the futility of the Vietnam War. It's pretty necessary to view the movie at least twice to understand most of it. Michael Crawford (Phantom of the Opera) is good but immemorable in the lead role; John Lennon isn't as bad as the critics would have you believe, but is not in the film enough to make a purchase worthwhile to Lennon or Beatles fans.
Dick Lester Went a Little too far with this Film January 28, 2001
Kevin R. Austra (Delaware Valley, USA)
5 out of 14 found this review helpful
Bizarre is too kind a word for this film. Director and Producer Richard Lester made a significant jump from the Beatles "HELP" to this over ambitious and dark military satire that makes "Catch 22" appear sane. Michael Crawford shares billing with John Lennon, but Lennon offers little more than an extended cameo appearance with a few glib remarks. There are appearances by a few other Lester "Regulars" including Roy Kinnear in this film.
The picture is loaded with flash-forwards, flashbacks, and often intercut with black and white footage from unrelated military movies. Even the soundtrack from "Lawrence of Arabia" finds its way into two scenes. You have to listen carefully to catch the fast-paced irreverent dialogue. There is a short B&W battle scene toward the end of the movie that would have had potential for a decent war film. As an oddity from the second half of the 1960's the film is worth watching, but you are better off renting it first.
As a war film, this is not something you should rush out to add to your military film collection. Even oddball military comedies such as CATCH 22, KELLY'S HEROES, and M*A*S*H are closer to the mark than Lester's work. As a Beatles fan, I added this film to my collection because of John Lennon's presence. Otherwise stick with Dick Lester's other favorites such as THE THREE MUSKETEERS trilogy.
 Simply Brilliant August 13, 2001
Jim Yoakum (Atlanta, GA United States)
5 out of 8 found this review helpful
Lester's satirical look at the horrors of war - and the ill-conceived glorification of it in war films - is perhaps his most brilliant effort ever. I'll go further, "How I Won The War" may be one of the most unjustly ignored and underrated films of the past 30+ years. Granted, Lester's dense symbolism, Brechtian framing devices, layered sound and use of flashbacks/forwards will confuse some, put off those who are looking for the light comedy of Lester's "A Hard Day's Night", but if you put those assumptions aside and let "War" wash over you, you will be rewarded with a rich and mature comedy with bite. Major credit also goes to Lester's screenwriter, Charles Wood (who also scripted "Help!"). Excellent performances throughout (including a quite eerie Lennon death scene), with special mention to Michael Crawford, who pulls off a difficult role as the hapless Lt. Goodbody. The late Roy Kinnear shines (as usual). This film is not for everyone, but it is for anyone who appreciates tales well-told and cinema that attempts to do more than simply entertain. The don't make 'em like this anymore, and more's the pity.
 Surrealistic Anti-War Movie October 31, 2003
Carl Savich (Detroit, MI, USA)
5 out of 9 found this review helpful
HOW I WON THE WAR was filmed in Spain in late 1966. The movie features John Lennon and Michael Crawford of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA fame. Richard Lester is the director. The movie is a surrealistic anti-war movie.The surrealism will turn off many viewers. There is no standard plot structure. This movie can almost be seen as experimental and avante-garde. These qualities drew Lennon to the project. But they are bound to draw viewers away. HOW I WON THE WAR is akin to REVOLUTION 9 on THE WHITE ALBUM or WHAT'S THE NEW MARY JANE from ANTHOLOGY 3. This movie is cutting edge and pushes the envelope. It is unconventional and approaches psychedelia. Not surprisingly, Lennon composed STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER while making this movie. The movie suffers from not having songs or compositions by Lennon on the soundtrack. Both Lennon and Crawford are singers, but there are no songs in the movie. John Lennon's character Gripweed is a supporting character in the movie. The movie, moreover, has an anti-war theme by showing the absurdity, banality, and hollowness of all war. There is no good war. The movie shows how "winning" a war really occurs. The movie, thus, lacks a feelgood perspective. It leaves the viewer disgusted with war by showing that war is not glorious and noble, but the opposite. Viewers should realize that this movie is surrealistic and experimental. In other words, it is not a commercial movie. It is a satirical look at war. It is a unique movie unlike any other Beatles movie. It is closest to MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR in that it is not a traditional movie. It is a very different war movie. Obviously such a surrealistic movie will not appeal to many. Nevertheless, it is a unique movie experience, not the usual formula movie.
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