Oh! What a Lovely War

The ever popular war games. With songs, battles & a few jokes.

1969 • 144 min • Comedy · Music · War

Join the Angel Guild Write your review Sign in to rate and review

Synopsis

The working-class Smiths change their initially sunny views on World War I after the five boys of the family witness the harsh reality of trench warfare.

Our family guide

Best from age 10

Movie Knight Score

53 reviews

67 Audience · 53 · 100%

This musical satire follows the working-class Smith family as their initial enthusiasm for World War I gives way to the grim realities of trench warfare. The film uses songs and dark humor to critique the futility and human cost of conflict, especially from the perspective of ordinary soldiers.

Violence & peril: 4/10
Language: 1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 2/10
Romance & sensuality: 1/10
Scary moments: 3/10

Heads up

Depictions of war include explosions and casualties, though not graphically bloody.
Some scenes involve brief, non-explicit partial nudity in a satirical context.
Dark humor is used to address serious and tragic themes, which might be unsettling for younger viewers.

What it models well

Pacifism and anti-war sentiment
Critique of jingoism
Sacrifice and loss

Talk about it after

The futility of war and its human cost
The contrast between wartime propaganda and reality
The role of music in expressing complex emotions

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Oh! What a Lovely War. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.