Directed by Richard Lester
Starring Michael Crawford, John Lennon, Roy Kinnear, Lee Montague, Jack MacGowran, Michael Hordern
How I Won The War (1967) is a very funny, very dark anti-war comedy from Richard Lester. It’s known primarily as the “solo” movie John Lennon made while in The Beatles — and as the source of his little round glasses. Oh, and he wrote “Strawberry Fields Forever” while shooting in Spain.
It’s based on a funny novel by Patrick Ryan that I read as a young Beatle geek (had to, Lennon was on the cover). There’s a scene in the book where two old officers hurl their false teeth at the wall to see whether civilian or government-issue dentures are more durable. It’s hysterical.
Lennon and the film were featured on the cover of the first issue of Rolling Stone. And it’s coming to Blu-ray from Kino Lorber before the end of the year.
