How I Won the War

The 1967 film "How I Won The War" is an unforgettable comedy war film directed by Richard Lester and starring an ensemble cast, including Michael Crawford, John Lennon, and Roy Kinnear. The movie, a unique blend of humor and absurdity, is famous for featuring John Lennon of The Beatles in his first non-musical acting role, which attracted a considerable amount of attention during the film's original release.

The film's narrative intricacy and quirkiness make it stand out as unique in the genre. It employs an episodic structure, centered around the journey of the film's protagonist, Lieutenant Goodbody, played by Crawford, an earnest yet cluelessly inept British officer leading a ragtag group of soldiers through World War II. Goodbody is accompanied by a motley crew of soldiers known as the Musketeers. The group in question is noted for their wildly different backgrounds, including a cynical con artist named Griffen (Roy Kinnear) and Musketeer Gripweed (John Lennon), who offers a charismatic and unforgettable performance as a sardonic working-class soldier.

Much of the film's humor is derived from the chaotic and often hazardous scenarios the group navigates. The comedy part of it makes the grim realities of war a bit lighter, while some scenes border on the absurd and surreal, giving the entire narrative a deeply ironic and satirical charge. The group faces various challenges and hurdles throughout the war, including, among others, insidious booby traps, cunning enemy soldiers, and hatchbacks sailing down the Nile.

"How I Won the War" incorporates a nonlinear narrative style, breaking the fourth wall frequently and incorporating flashbacks and fantasy sequences. This inventive structure is consistent with director Richard Lester's characteristic cinematic style, known for previous endeavors such as the popular Beatles films "A Hard Day's Night" and "Help!".

Lester's creative direction and the script's eccentric comedic tone highlight the brutal absurdity of war, artfully combining seemingly incompatible genres – slapstick comedy and harsh war drama – into a coherent and compelling narrative. Moreover, the film is frequently styled as a faux documentary, with Crawford's Goodbody frequently addressing the camera directly. This retrospective narration often elevates the irony permeating the film, reflecting the idiosyncratic style of the Thomas Anstey Guthrie novel on which it is loosely based.

John Lennon's role as Gripweed is a particular highlight of the film. Although a supporting character, his dry wit and unique screen presence bring an additional layer of humor and intensity to the proceedings. For Beatles fans, the film carries additional weight due to the inclusion of an original Lennon song, "Strawberry Fields Forever", which was inspired by a break in shooting.

Despite what might appear from afar as a shambolic and absurdist exploration of war, "How I Won The War" provides insights into the larger human experience embedded within the global conflict. It unflinchingly satirizes the societal structures that support and propagate warfare, crafting a biting commentary on the military and its often misplaced sense of purpose and honor.

Moreover, the movie is bolstered by superb visual layering. David Watkin's cinematography exploits the technicolor palette to full effect, employing bright, saturated colors that contrast sharply with the grim reality of the war being depicted.

While perhaps not as mainstream as other war films, "How I Won The War" certainly offers a unique perspective towards the genre. Its dark humor casts a spotlight on the lunacy and tragic wastefulness that war often represents, offering a sardonic yet poignant view of humanity's most brutal endeavor.

Overall, "How I Won the War" is an audacious comedic exploration of World War II, artfully sliding between humor, surreal scenarios, and poignant commentary. Armed with an outstanding cast and an original storyline, this film offers a different, refreshing, and thought-provoking lens through which we can view the turbulent wartime period.