What a directorial debut from Attenborough! Oh ! What a Lovely War A satire on war in which the song are an integral part of the message, it was shot entirely on location, in and around Brighton (based on Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workhop production, by Charles Chilton and members of the original cast, after a stage treatment by Ted Allan). The film is an indictment of war which never relies on violence. Sudden, brutal death in combatis omitted and far more effectively, is rammed home by the symbol of poppies for each death. The film shames jingoism, false heroics, vanity and stupidity in high places. It never lessens or denigrates the bravery of those who took part, but brilliantly pinpoints the collective stupidity tht made such a holocaust possible. The familiar wartime songs, sentiment, humour and satire are incorporated, but Attenborough has never allowed any to stretch a mood beyond its capacity. The film is seen through the eyes and family life of the humble Smith family, whose sons all go to war and are senselessly killed. While there was animosity behind the scenes - Len Deighton refused screen credit as the film's writer (precious or what?) - this remains a distinctive piece of work and by far (a county mile!) the most audacious film Attenborough has ever made. Buy UK Dvd from this Site (Shipped from UK) Filming Locations: Bayham Abbey, Lamberhurst, Kent, England, UK (church) Brighton Pavilion, Brighton, East Sussex, England, UK Brighton Station, Brighton, East Sussex, England, UK 5 STARS OUT OF 5 Oh! What a Lovely War Richard Attenborough Buy UK Dvd (This Site) (Shipped from UK) Special Edition [2004] Director: Richard Attenborough Actors: John Gielgud, Phyllis Calvert, Jean-Pierre Cassell, Laurence Olivier, Vanessa Redgrave Format: Collector's Edition, PAL Language: English Region: Region 2 (UK & Europe) Number of discs: 1 Classification: PG Studio: Paramount DVD Release Date: 30 Oct 2006 Run Time: 138 minutes DVD Features: Main Language: English Director's commentary 3-part documentary: Welcome To World War One/The Smith Family Album/Keep The Home Fires Burning Price: £19.99 (UK Sterling) / $ 41.99 (US Dollars approx) (Shipped from UK) (Price includes worldwide postage & packaging) Payment can also be made to Lenin Imports by cheque, po, money order, international money order, cash by registered mail. Please enclose title of item ordering and return address. Address: Lenin Imports 5 High Street South Norwood London SE25 6EP United Kingdom Also available: amazon.co.uk | amazon.com Movie Review Richard Attenborough richard attenborough dvds | videos al pacino | michelle pfeiffer yul brynner | christopher plummer | romy schneider the godfather | the godfather part ii marlon brando | james caan | diane keaton | al pacino laurence olivier | clark gable | vivien leigh | leslie howard | alfred hitchcock | robert montgomery | grace kelly olivia de havilland | humphrey bogart | howard hawks | frank capra | charlie chaplin | lauren bacall | fritz lang jean harlow | greta garbo | ava gardner | audrey hepburn | edward g. robinson | john garfield erich von stroheim | wim wenders | madeleine carroll | marlene dietrich | rita hayworth richard attenborough dvds richard attenborough videos richard attenborough dvds | videos al pacino | michelle pfeiffer yul brynner | christopher plummer | romy schneider the godfather | the godfather part ii marlon brando | james caan | diane keaton | al pacino laurence olivier | clark gable | vivien leigh | leslie howard | alfred hitchcock | robert montgomery | grace kelly olivia de havilland | humphrey bogart | howard hawks | frank capra | charlie chaplin | lauren bacall | fritz lang jean harlow | greta garbo | ava gardner | audrey hepburn | edward g. robinson | john garfield erich von stroheim | wim wenders | madeleine carroll | marlene dietrich | rita hayworth Page created by: lenin@netcomuk.co.uk Changes last made: 2007