Oh! What a Lovely War - Ending Sequence

[@rightmarker1]

This ending always brings me to tears. The final scene of ‘Black Adder Goes Forth’ does the same thing. Young men killing other young men at the behest of corrupt and cynical old men hundreds of miles away - and it’s still going on.

[@steveconrad8857]

Too true

[@mcpartridgeboy]

Are you crazy the British army isnt corrupt at all, neither cynical, and most of the people high up served themselves so dont be so bloody rude.

[@rightmarker1]

@@mcpartridgeboy - calm down. I didn’t say the Army is corrupt. What I said was that young men kill other young men at the behest (check the OED for the meaning of behest) of cynical old men . . . Politicians and the military industrial complex. And FWIW I served in the Army in two theatres of operations in the 1970s. What have you done?

[@xr6lad]

@@mcpartridgeboyhey knuckle. Corrupt. We were in Jo danger of being invaded and it was a group of elite whose egos are bruised that got us in to WW1 without a single thought of the payment that would be made by others. That’s corrupt. Just as we should never be sending our young men to die for a fight between Ukraine and Russia - both dysfunctional nations.

[@felixthecat265]

@@rightmarker1 and yet it still continues.. Most of these conflicts begin because bureaucrats see some short term advantage in precipitating conflict and are not deterred by the prevailing conditions. WW1 was mainly down to a failure in diplomacy and some really stupid decisions and reactions to minority pressure groups. Kaiser W was never the real cause.. Britain was a bit part player in WW1 and basically propped up the French, although by the end of the War was by far the best in field. Since Waterloo the UK had largely stayed out of European conflict, however the consequences of a German/French conflict by 1914 would have been devastating regardless of who won. There was no way UK could avoid getting dragged in to ensure that neither would come out on top! The crass stupidity of the Armistice in 1918 largely at the behest of the French laid the foundations for WW2. Peace is a condition brought about by balance and certainty, where no group or individual can see the opportunity for easy gain or feel the need to take unwarranted risks. There will always be "bad actors" operating in society who will seek to create uncertainty and cause disruption to further their cause. Society needs to be prepared to counter these activities and prevent them spilling over into violence. Being emotional about this misses the point.. in many cases, societies are not quick enough to address these trends before they become inevitable. We are seeing the whole sorry process repeating itself yet again with the games that are being played in the Middle East, in the Ukraine and by China. I suppose the whole EU game has delayed the usual European cat fighting for a few generations, but it is becoming distinctly ragged at the edges these days! Any look at history will tell you that it is conflict that is the default state and it is peace that needs to be fought for! This is the fundamental flaw in pacifist logic. We have seen the widespread breakdown of confidence and competency right across the western world.. western society is becoming weak and divided and cannot seem to find sensible solutions.. It's not good.. if society cannot get it's act together it becomes vulnerable to minority influence ( yet again...!) Charles Chilton and Joan Littlewood were pacifists and the whole "Oh what a Lovely War" is nothing more than emotional propaganda. Grow up for goodness sake!

[@MrDaiseymay]

As Harry Patch said ( the last living WW1 Tommy, just before he died age 111 ) ''We were all conned, the Germans too''. ''Why couldn't they have got round the table and talked through all their differences first ,instead of all that waste of human lives''. Watching that scene near the end, where all the heads of state ,sign the declarations of peace---brings back Harry's words. I attended his funeral service at Wells Cathedral--he had insisted that NO arms be worn by the young military men, who came from all the countries of that terrible war ( including a young German soldier, it was a very moving service.

[@simonbowles6910]

Philip Croft god bless them all , lions led by donkeys, may they all rest in peace , including my great grandads

[@desdicado999]

Albert Pike in his book "Morals and Dogma ' conveyed in 1873 that there would be three wars and he would know, being that he was the Grand Master of Scottish Rite Freemasonry.

[@imcherbitch943]

Thank you for this beautiful comment

[@aquariumdude7829]

World War One was crazy! It was insane! European civilization committed suicide for no other reason other than stupid, juvenile pride! Imagine how much better the world might be today had they just sat down and calmly worked it all out instead?

[@aquariumdude7829]

The poor fools of all the countries really believed it would all be over in six weeks! Just like we did in our American Civil War. As with us, six "glorious" weeks became four devastating years. :(

[@gavinhalliday5231]

“We’ll never tell them” - my parents often told me how neither of their fathers would ever talk to anyone about their experiences, except to each other. My two grandfathers would apparently spend time talking alone in a room and then clam up when someone else entered.

[@anselman3156]

Yes. My mother told me of my grandfather, who had come through Ypres and saw his friend killed beside him. He had shrapnel wounds but never talked of what he experienced. Only once, after a reunion with a soldier who had served with him, when he had drunk a bit too much, he relived some of the trauma in a very upsetting way. Rest in peace, Grandpa.

[@Exparcelman]

Fantastic filmmaking. No cgi, every cross placed in the ground by hand giving perspective to the shear number of casualties.

[@stoopsolo1479]

A hole had to be dug for each individual cross because the ground was too firm to simply hammer them into place🙂

[@SCOTTpilgrimist12]

That final shot is genius. Its length, and its subject matter, really put the entire war into perspective.

[@gwasgray9309]

And yet, it's a small perentage of the real causalities of that war...

[@MrDaiseymay]

Yep--no CGI then, all the crosses were positioned manually on the Downs above Brighton

[@HVACSoldier]

I just noticed that the photographer in the beginning of the movie is the soldier that tells the soldier to follow the tape.

[@MrDaiseymay]

@@HVACSoldier Yes, actor Joe Mealier, he represents us--everyman. He pops up everywhere at all the important points in the story.

[@kevinramsey417]

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields. What if there was a war and nobody came?

[@MrDaiseymay]

When sub-human monster's like Adolph Hitler ,Grab Power, who once stated, '' The individual does not count, it's the survival of the State that matter's''. he dismissed any reason to be concerned with human losses, no matter how many. eg It justifies the means ?

[@user-en3lq5hr3y]

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

[@user-en3lq5hr3y]

Don't alter the sentiment of that persons poetry as it was meant in the time of the writing, by truncating his poem, and adding an endspiece he did not write, that is is the height of disrespect...you were not there.

[@LandersWorkshop]

Having watched this ending again, decades later I now see that the soldier/officer who tells him to follow the red tape is literally Charon, guiding the dead souls to the afterlife.

[@MrDaiseymay]

Thanks, I did not Know that.

[@travelbugse2829]

It was played by Joe Melia, a hugely talented actor IMO who died in 2012. He was the son of Italian immigrants, born in London. I believe he was perfect for the role. But the greatest gut-wrenching moment for me was when the soldier looks down at the dignitaries, who turn round to gaze in his direction, but no-one is there; haunting and unforgettable.

[@steeplejack50]

I thought of him as St. Peter, the gatekeeper to the afterlife. Charon is a better fit I think though.

[@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw]

This scene is beautiful and moving, but almost too painful to watch.

[@MDBellamy]

Today is the centenary of the Armistice. All the Tommies, Fritzes, Pierres, and the others are gone now. Yet this film remains, and always will, as a testament to the greed and ambition, the ignorance and hate, of the grey=eyed strategists, but more, to the waste and sacrifice, and to the love (yes!) of those who fell and of those who survived. Growing up, I saw those old, hollowed-out men and laughed and didn't understand. Now, with the passage of time, I can see. May you all rest...in Peace.

[@LittlePinkPiggy1]

This final scene sends shivers down my spine. Utterly brilliant.

[@MrDaiseymay]

AND NOT---CGI

[@australianman8103]

0:15 i think when the explosion sound came up and there wasn't any sounds of fighting anymore, then a poppy was showed to the screen.... he actually just died there.

[@AudieHolland]

Whoa... Genious

[@fredericksaxton3991]

yes.

[@margaritap.narenpithak282]

And it has been 100 years. Still I don’t think we’ve learned much nor come very far. We will remember them.

[@marklloyd4087]

Unfortunately we haven't, I speak from experience in the Gulf War, Northern Ireland, and Bosnia! when your young you believe your doing the right thing at the time?, when you grow older, you look at life a lot differently, then you realise people will never change!, so sad.

[@Deafmandalor]

War never changes . And while we have fools who lead we’ll never learn from the lessons of the past.

[@NyuuMikuru1]

Since Cain killed Abel, we haven’t learned anything at all. Killings still goes on.

[@Sean-p3o]

We haven’t really remembered them though have we

[@NyuuMikuru1]

@@Sean-p3o Ones who did died since 1920s to the last one up to the year 2000. Next are those who fought in WWII.

[@elaloveslyrics]

My parents took me to see this. I remember my Father having tears rolling down his cheeks (My Grandfather fought in WW1 and my Great Uncle died in that War). So powerful!

[@mcpartridgeboy]

If your grand father fought in ww1 how come your dad didnt in ww2 ?

[@MrCrowebobby]

@@mcpartridgeboy Perhaps, like my father, he was too young for the first and too old for the second.

[@alansbinnie1446]

@@mcpartridgeboy They were 21 years apart. Many men were too young for the First and too old for the Second.

[@salute4392]

People talk about how the ending is powerful because of the visuals, but honestly I am in love with the song. When he says "ask us", that note plus the horn playing the two notes after that for some reason is really powerful. I absolutely love the arrangement they used here.

[@MrDaiseymay]

YES IT'S DELIBERATE IRONY. AS ALL THE MUSIC IS. THE TROOPS ALWAYS MADE-UP THEIR OWN RUDE AND DELIBERATELY SATYRICAL WORDS TO SONGS OF THE PERIOD.

[@MrDaiseymay]

The Films version is taken from the original Song ''They didn't beleive me''. written by Jerome Kern, just befor the war began. It was one of many popular songs that the troops parodied. Frank Sinatra recorded a nice version, ( with original lyrics, of course)

[@fido652]

The richness of the added harmony makes it magical. You are quite right. I wonder if we hear something of miners' brass bands in the sound of the horns ..poignantly calling to their boys from the valleys and the pit villages. Of course, Jerome Kern wrote a wonderful, conversational melody in the first place.

[@Desmodromic100]

The flower of Britain and other continents sacrificed at the alter of Feuding Cousins.

[@wildevixen7753]

Perfectly expressed.

[@supersasquatch]

britain, what a continent

[@Sean-p3o]

It was little bit more complicated than that

[@Sean-p3o]

@@wildevixen7753Not really It’s far to simplistic

[@marclaplante5679]

Such a brilliant movie. It demonstrates that viewers can be moved by imagery and an intelligent script. No one can watch this without absorbing the mindlessness of that war.

[@MrDaiseymay]

It was such an effective anti-war film, and so impactful because of it's blunt criticism. it was delayed it's release in America. They feared the Anti Vietnam War protests everywhere at that time, would be made worse by this film. Eventually, it was released in small side street Cinemas there, and not advertised. Only one newspaper review. It took till the late 1990's, for a dvd version to be issued. The delay was never explained. Even Richard Attenborough didn't know why---not publicly anyway.

[@lyndasinger2033]

This scene moves me to tears every time

[@danjsy]

"Granny, what did Daddy do in the War ?" Well worth listening to the Director's Commentary on the DVD, Richard Attenborough breaks down describing why he made the film. An essential British film of the 1960s, and unusually retaining its power.

[@MrDaiseymay]

Because it stands the test of time, despite being satirycal. Even the humour and jokes are accurate.

[@GothiicAngels]

I never knew there was a directors commentary version too

[@danjsy]

@@MrDaiseymay and the songs are geniunely moving. "When the sergeant major..." puts something in my eye every time.

[@danjsy]

@@GothiicAngels amazing how they made it

[@rogueriderhood1862]

There should have been a contribution from the producer, Len Deighton, but somehow this didn't happen. No doubt Attenborough knew the reason why.

[@rogerhudson9732]

"What did you do in the war Daddy?" ; best answer " I survived".

[@judehutchinson8355]

he died though

[@georgejob2156]

My own grandfather survived ( Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders). Got his war records from Stirling castle.. I couldn't do what they did....

[@MrCrowebobby]

@@georgejob2156 I WOULDN'T.

[@iceniarchers]

Breaks ya bloody heart doesn't it? Bless `em all. RIP.

[@tdk9518]

Absolutely.

[@puffin51]

They've all passed now. May it be to eternal peace. St Peter asks every soul what they did, and those who answered, "I was a soldier of the Great War", he admitted at once, for God knows they'd seen enough of hell.

[@jamesalexander8193]

Just realised he say "it's 2 minutes too 11" 1918 November the 11th at 11 the war was over, he was 2 minutes away from see the war come to an end.

[@AudieHolland]

Meaning he was KIA a few minutes before the signing of the Armistice.

[@Bruce-1956]

Men still died in fighting ater the Armistice.

[@thiloreichelt4199]

@@Bruce-1956 Yes, but the insistence on ending that war on exactly that date and hour did cost some 1000 lives.

[@Bruce-1956]

@@thiloreichelt4199 yes. I read that a Canadian general ordered his men to take a village after 11.00, killing several hundred Canadians and of course Germans.

[@reduolf]

This is arguably the most powerful ending to any film in history...it shows the cruelty of the war, and also the huge scale of it - thousands and thousands of crosses in a peaceful field in France, where millions of men gave their lives, so that I am now typing in English! God Bless them all!! R.I.P ;(

[@daviddavis7752]

reduolf BTW, the five men lying in tge field, before the crosses, is based on five brothers killed in the war. They were killed in different locations, if my memory serves me correctly.

[@phillipasalisbury7570]

Hi Reduolf I saw your post it's not that hard to imagine let alone see what a huge cost that comes from war (my mum's cousin Leslie Charles roach is on the wall of the after triumph) in France

[@neddyladdy]

It certainly makes me teary every time i see it. Simple by oh so effective.

[@MrDaiseymay]

AND it's just a fraction. More wars have been fought on French soil than any other, besides the two world wars.

[@TonyTheDriver100]

Sir Richard Attenbourgh. What a vision that man had

[@stoopsolo1479]

@@TonyTheDriver100 it was after viewing “Oh what a lovely war” that movie producer Joseph E Levine decided that Dicky Attenborough was the director he needed to make the film “A Bridge too far”

[@greva2904]

‘Who are you, the Unknown Soldier?’ What a stunningly bleak quip. The concept of the Unknown Soldier was thought up after the end of the Great War by the British, to give the families of soldiers who had no known grave, a gravestone in Westminster Abbey to pay their respects to, with the possibility that it was their missing son/husband/father buried beneath it. Many other nations quickly followed. The dead soldier in this scene - the last British soldier killed before the armistice - would not have had a clue what the other soldier/angel was talking about, as the concept was created post war. In the logic of the film, this poor sod was the Unknown Soldier buried in Westminster Abbey.

[@rogueriderhood1862]

The tomb in Westminster Abbey is actually that of the Unknown Warrior. It may not be a soldier, don't forget there were members of the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines serving on the Western Front.

[@donaldcarletonjr.9047]

Thanks for catching that, I thought that's what he said, and replayed the segment but just couldn't be sure. A "bleak quip," indeed.

[@rogerhudson9732]

Brings tears to the eyes. seeing the West pier in it's glory upsets me as well. Attenborough, who became the University Chancellor, used a lot of students from Brighton as extras.

[@MrDaiseymay]

I'm not from the Brighton area, but I was gutted to learn, that that beautiful Victorian Pier, had been destroyed by fire There has been well over 30 piers, burned down in Britain in 100 years. WHY ??

[@coralarch]

Heart-breaking, haunting, and unforgettable. The History channel is currently hashing over the so-called war to end all wars, and it always strikes me that we never learn a thing, no matter how awful the slaughter, the damage to ecosystems, the agony of bereaved families....there is always going to be more of it.

[@christophermacintyre5890]

Because every time most people will simply shrug their shoulders and say, "Sure, the last war was bad, but this war is different and the old lesson doesn't apply in this case". Movies like this, I sorry to say, will not make a difference for a certain large percentage of the population.

[@annerogers9107]

Exquisite. Those poor young men; those poor boys. What a terrible waste.

[@MarlboroughBlenheim1]

Anne Rogers it wasn’t a waste. They did their duty and many were pleased to do so and their families were proud of them. Stop trying to impose modern liberal values on people who had very different attitudes.

[@christophermacintyre5890]

It really was a waste, though.

[@alexamerling9363]

+Hoho Hoho So you don't think that all those lives lost was a big deal?

[@MarlboroughBlenheim1]

Alex Amerling It is for their generation and their families and those individuals themselves to decide whether their lives were wasted. Many felt that to die for your country was a fitting way to die. I’m just suggesting that imposing our modern values on a different world has its difficulties.

[@MrDaiseymay]

@@MarlboroughBlenheim1 In 2014, there was a one hour discussion on Live TV, by military Historians, and that question of, from Britains point of view--was it worth it, need we have got involved? they were split right down the middle. I repeat--watch ''37 DAYs'' on DVD, for the right answer--which was YES, and see why.

[@michaeligoe3935]

The most intelligent, most powerful anti-war movie ever made.

[@bobkoomans3490]

Yes, but there are masses of Cults out there, that only want to neutralise all others who disagree with them, and heavily TAX those who join them that are not of their own people. SO, what can we do except defend ourselves? They have though, done what their later "prophet" told them to do, which is sneak in quietly and then strike with extreme viloence. I have read their "Holy" book.

[@edwardbottomsworth366]

@@bobkoomans3490 Deus Vult

[@dennismiddlebrooks7027]

@Martin 99 Hands down. I saw it when it came out at the Carnegie Hall Cinema in NYC. It bowled me over.

[@machida58]

@@bobkoomans3490 Yeah we know right winger it's all the Jews fault.

[@MrDaiseymay]

@@dennismiddlebrooks7027 I'm surprised to hear that the film was shown in such a large and central theatre. I say this because, due to the very strong anti war sentiment of this film, the Power's That Be, in the U.S, did all they could, to delay the release, and suppress advertising of this film, WHY ? because the Anti Vietnam WAR Movement, was causing great problems in the states then, and obviously a film promoting pacisfism was not good for the government. I read that the film was more or less literally, 'SIDE LINED into side street theaters only ?? Did you know, that there was no DVD conversion made, till 2008, and even VHS was extremely difficult to find. When Dickie Attenborough was asked why the conversion to DVD had taken so long, he said he had no idea. I doubt that.

[@bbenjoe]

Once, years ago, I saw this part of this film I didn't konw. I'm glad I found it now. I am a man, and this made me cry.

[@forstianideal4459]

It's one of the two times I've ever had full body sobs. Maybe its just because my ancestry comes from both opposing sides, but all I could think of was brothers being fooled into killing each other, and by the ending I was a fucking wreck.

[@NodDisciple1]

I hope you are resting in peace Great-Uncle. My late grandmother told me those who knew him when he was still alive said he was a handsome fellow and a bit of a dandy. Died a mere week before Armistice Day. He almost made it. Almost.

[@MrDaiseymay]

My half brother was killed on the last bombing raid of WW2. 3 days from Wars end. May 1945 he had joined in 1940 age 18.

[@peterswires8439]

@@MrDaiseymay I recently heard that if they'd stopped the fighting when the treaty was signed, rather than waiting until 11am ('the 11th of the 11th') it would have saved around 3,000 lives. That's 3,000 lives lost just so they could have a nice catchy number for the time of the ceasefire.

[@MrCrowebobby]

@@peterswires8439 Harry Truman sent men out to fight only a couple hours before the official end.

[@bbenjoe]

What bothers me is how the sacrifice of all these soldiers were all for nothing. The peace treaties of 1919-1920 were so bad that they've assured the outbreak of World War II.

[@rogueriderhood1862]

A twenty year armistice.

[@AudieHolland]

TPTB: We had such a good time We should do this again soon

[@alansbinnie1446]

It is impossible not to cry at this. For my great uncles who died in the War to end all Wars.

[@busterdog321]

All those great-uncles never had a chance to be a grand father

[@mcpartridgeboy]

no it is possible, i didnt, but i enjoyed it a lot and the film maker is very good at his job.

[@alansbinnie1446]

@@mcpartridgeboy It was an incredibly clever ending.

[@mcpartridgeboy]

@@busterdog321 Just like me but what stopped me was autism, not quite as romantic, at least i get to live my life alone !

[@paulclissold1525]

This movie means more to me than all the american world war two movies put together its over a hundred years now but its message is more prescient than ever.

[@busterdog321]

The movie only came out in 69

[@MrDaiseymay]

@@busterdog321 I think he refers to the War's ending

[@alexamerling20]

RIP to all those brave young men on both sides who died in the trenches and to hell with the selfish politicians that caused this tragedy. What a waste of life.

[@MarlboroughBlenheim1]

Alex Amerling I think you’ll find that that there was huge national support and jingoism for the war.

[@MrDaiseymay]

@@MarlboroughBlenheim1 That's correct, but it was a totally different era from today, , where ''king, Country and Empire' was part of the natural state of mind. We were taught that the British Empire was not only the greatest in History, but was invincible. And this was reinforced through Schooling, the church, and the Gung-Ho right-wing media etc.It was much the same all over Europe. Contrast that to the lack of celebration and anxiety of 1939.

[@MarlboroughBlenheim1]

Philip Croft The danger is applying our moral standards and societal norms on the past.

[@GodSavetheQueenII]

Saying these men wasted their lives is extremely disrespectful to their memory. Do them the courtesy of at least giving them the benefit of the doubt that they died for something they believed in, even if that was just societal duty. If you think Britain’s involvement in the war was pointless then you’re historically illiterate.

[@MrDaiseymay]

@@MarlboroughBlenheim1 Yes I agree, which is exactly what is being taught within our so-called education system., a left wing idiology, promoting hatred for our historic actions, by overlaying 21st century sensitivities and morallity on the past. A pointless excersise, as it cannot be altered anyway.

[@ildonaldson]

A most moving sequence, and long before CGI could make it all so much simpler. A lot of the battle field scenes were made on a council rubbish tip in Brighton in 1967 or perhaps a bit earlier. Many students at Sussex University were extras.

[@MrDaiseymay]

THE FILMING WAS DONE IN 1968. AND RELEASED IN '69.

[@simonbowles6910]

My 2 great grandads fought in the war to end wars god bless you and who that fell never forgotten ❤️

[@austinpost6870]

I remember seeing an estimate that about 14,000 people died each day statistically speaking. I don't even think that there are five thousand crosses at the end of this film. Imagine seeing three different scenes exactly like this one each day with different occupants. Quite a sad thought.

[@meditation762]

Really powerful ending. Had me in tears x

[@tubaman500]

The trouble was as soon as WW2 happened it made the sacrifice of all those young men and women pointless, that included my Great Uncle Frank Evans killed at Ypres in February 1915. My Nan never got over it.

[@tutts999]

A truly masterpiece of film making to a lost generation that were nearly wiped out

[@Firebrand55]

The rivetting moment here is not so much the crosses reveal; that's heartbreaking............it's the Last Soldier spirit going past the family motif, to join his pals in death....." no greater love hath a man...' THAT's the heart of WW1, and WW2 for that matter.

[@MrDaiseymay]

the pals, were his relations, 'The Smith family, a representation of any average family, quite brilliant.

[@andrewmiddleton25]

That sounds a bit too close to 'Dulce Et Decorum Est'. It wasn't love of country that got these people killed.

[@MrDaiseymay]

@@andrewmiddleton25 To some extent that's true, but on all sides involved, they were whipped up with national fervour by the press, and believing ''It would all be over by Christmas ' Which one, was never discussed. Also, the massess of poor working class men, had never even left their Village or town before, never mind a foreign country. It didn't sound so bad, and all your mates were going --so?

[@simonbowles6910]

I’m old enough to remember 1 of my great grandads , 1 of my great grandads in the years after the war suffered from wounds he received plus gassed twice, died prematurely, never got to meet him , my other great grandad ,who I remember as a child was a loving humble quiet man , who was a boy soldier who lied his age to serve this country, I was only a kid but will remember that man , to me a true hero

[@MrCrowebobby]

One of my uncles fought in WWI, but it was never mentioned until someone in the village built a monument to those who fought in WWII and his name was mistakenly included and my cousin informed them of the error.

[@simonbowles6910]

1 great grandad was a old professional soldier , fought in the boer wars South Africa, then ww1 , survived that , my other great grandad lied his age went to war when he was 16 , happy to say he survived, both grandads survived were and are my heroes

[@busterdog321]

One of the few, so many comments here about great-uncles who were 20 forever

[@theuofc]

Thank you for uploading this. Bravo to Sir Richard Attenborough, Dirk Bogarde, and all others who made this film which is a compelling indictment of war.

[@fairportfan2]

First time i saw this was sitting at an outdoor theatre in Cam Ranh Ba Viet Nam. While we were a Navy base, we got our films through the Army {which explains why thos aboard carriers and other ships got to see MASH but we didn't} and i am AMAZED that they showed us this film

[@TehGodLord]

One-Hundred years ago to the day. R.I.P.

[@TheSmithDorian]

Together with 'The Long Good Friday' this has to be one of the most poignant endings to any film.

[@WWH_develoments]

“In Flander’s Feilds, the Poppies blow/Between the Crosses, row on row.”

[@alextunstall6912]

I have just finished performing the stage version of this and it is absolutely amazing.

[@MrDaiseymay]

it all began on the East London stage, produced by Joan Littlewood. She never approved of the film version.

[@Alex462047]

My Grandmother told me about her own father, my great Grandfather. He fought on Gallipoli, was wounded and sent to Egypt. From there he went to Europe. He survived the war, which is how my Grandmother came to be. All photos of him were from his left side, since, apparently, he had a massive scar down the right side of his face from Gallipoli. Like all of those veterans of his generation, he never spoke about the war. From my Grandmother's child's eyes of that time, it is very hard to say what effect all that had on him, but doubtless it had one. Many years ago, I had the rare honour to meet a Russian veteran of the Great Patriotic War in the Orenburg region. He was a rare and gentle man, but all he had to say about the war was, "Thank God that's over", and he really meant it too. I think they must all have been like that. Thank God for the likes of Harry Patch! What he had to say about it all, taken with the understanding of the huge impression that all clearly had on him, gave a very good insight. War is a very particular kind of hell.

[@MrWookie21]

When I asked to someone how her father joined ww2, she told me he volunteered to avoid getting bullied by his comrades. How did your great grandfather join the war? Did he volunteered either?

[@Alex462047]

@@MrWookie21 He wasn't drafted, they were all volunteers back then, in that nek of the woods. I don't know exactly how it happened, all the people who knew were long gone by the time I got to asking. Most commonly the young men of a settlement or district got together, then went and signed up together.

[@MrWookie21]

@@Alex462047 I was expecting this answer from yours. Thank you, it helps me having a better understanding about wars, and how especially young men become involved in them. And I can see how difficult it is for most men to have a clear view about the real significance of wars. It appears more and more clear to me there is something taking advantage over a disposition inside the human nature enabling them to yield to the desired decision : "willingly enlist to join the army" ; but without understanding the profound meaning behind it. Do you think they were manipulated?

[@Alex462047]

@@MrWookie21 To some degree, they may have been manipulated, but they weren't a generation of men who did anything like that out of a sense of heroism or frivolously. It's pretty cliche now, but they were ruled by a sense of duty. Most of them were farm boys, and anyone who comes from a provincial agricultural background has a strong work ethic and very strong sense of a need to get jobs done, regardless of whether you want to do them or not. From my Grandmother's recollections, they were the sort of people who went because they saw a job that they needed to get done, nothing more. To the best of my knowledge, they never even really harboured any animosity toward their opponents, realising that enemy soldiers were there for the same reasons they were. It didn't mean that they didn't fight - they definitely fought - but they respected each other at a certain level.

[@MrWookie21]

@@Alex462047 The army teaches the art to kill. The job of a soldier is to kill and is paid for it. Most of soldiers then volunteered to get the job done that is to kill a person who volunteered for the same reason. But the manipulation lays in the fact that this aspect is veiled behind deceitful illusions to attract men by lust and pride that will primarily make up their decision to sign. For instance, It was particularly enlightening to hear the motives of the veterans who accepted an interview for the tv series "Band of Brothers". They all clearly volunteered for the attractive aspects offered by the military in all its declination. They were bewitched. Another aspect we can consider, especially by looking to the military cemeteries found in France for instance, are the crosses planted upon each fallen soldier's tomb. Do you have any idea of the meaning for using a Christian symbol in this context?

[@RobCCTV]

Brought a big lump to my throat. That is one of my all time fav. films.

[@peterwhitaker4038]

it is a so moving scene at the end telling kids to get on with life don't worry what we did for you. let's not forget the German lads didn't want to be there either i am sure they would rather be drinking steins of Bier watching Bayern Munchen playing football rather than in a trench facing British or French troops. why oh why do we fall into this trap of politicians wills to kill each other?

[@trevorhartley61]

This was the school play at Ryhope Grammar some 55 years ago, performed as an "end of the pier" show with the cast in pierrot costumes, playing multiple parts. A few years ago we went to a small theatre in Stratford, London to see this play, as we performed it at school. Quite emotional.

[@leekitchen1195]

Always makes me cry watching this sequence

[@stevemurtagh8071]

Such a brilliant film !! ☘️☘️

[@tonycavanagh1929]

such a powerful ending

[@carlosfredericosilveiraesc5354]

Very touching, seeing after forty years and now more touching and emotional. From Brazil, thanks for the post.

[@petenaylor7202]

Katrina, may thanks for posting that clip of the last few minutes of 'Oh, What A Lovely War'. As other folks have pointed out in their posts, it is one of the most poignant scenes and hits home with such a strong anti-war message. That so-called 'Great War' culled over 12 million fine young men from all around the world into the mud of Flanders, and you have to ask yourselves, all for what purpose? Just so much more pointless flag-waving, as I see things. If a few wiser heads had got around a table to discuss peaceful solutions after Arch-Duke Ferdinand and his wife were tragically assassinated in Sarajevo rather than rush off into flag-waving mode, well, the world today might be considerable more different than it is. PN

[@MrDaiseymay]

Instead of 'IF ONLY' which has no influence on what has gone before. For enlightenment reasons--watch the 2014 BBC TV 3 part 3 hour reconstruction--using previously unseen documents, Diaries, personal letter's, and government Official order's, that is, ''37 Days''. Superb actors portray and recreate, the rolls of ALL main figures concerned, of both sides, Military and Political. in this historic build-up to WW1. Marvelous.

[@LandersWorkshop]

Might be different? It bloody well absolutely would be utterly different and much better than now.

[@arbeitsscheuer]

I've watched this movie a dozen times since I was a kid, it's one of my all-time favourites...and yet, I'm only noticing now the figure in the background at 2:05 - is that Lenin?!

[@evanwelch9231]

I believe it may be.

[@stevekaczynski3793]

@@evanwelch9231 Definitely - standing apart from the others at the table and peering off to the left.

[@barryloughran3632]

Always brings emotion and tears to my eyes .this One last scene sums up EVERYTHING.

[@thomaswilkinson3241]

Damned to all the present Day's Warmongers, who forgot how much bloodshed we had in the 20th Century and today as well.

[@historicalized-edits9080]

hey if you say Churchill is a warmonger, he had to do what he had to do, it was hitlers fault

[@thomaswilkinson3241]

I said present day, which means the past 15-20 years.

[@RobSchofield]

Every time I see the soldier lie down - it really gets me. Rest In Peace.

[@fredericksaxton3991]

That was filmed on the Downs just above Brighton and Worthing, West Sussex. There is a 2 lane bypass through there now with a tunnel cutting. Every time I go past there I think of this very scene.

[@thomasbaillie-carrigan3100]

And all because of effin' politicians and 'Royals'.

[@jadenova]

You have to feel sorry for that guy. He went through the entire war and gets killed a couple of minutes before the end.

[@MrDaiseymay]

well over a thousand did, within 5 hours before 11am ceasefire

[@MrDaiseymay]

In a TV Documentary, on the 100th anniversary, they discovered that hundreds of troops (mostly American ) were killed, in the last hour before the 11 am armistice.

[@bradcobb3418]

I read somewheret that the combined deaths that morning were 3000+ they signed the Armistice in that train carriage at 4am...What sort of mentallity sets a schedule 7 hrs later FFS?. That whole war was FUBAR.

[@rogueriderhood1862]

@@bradcobb3418 I suppose they would have to allow time for the information to be circulated. They didn't have the communications facilities we have now.

[@MrCrowebobby]

@@MrDaiseymay Some thanks to Harry Truman, who sent men into battle just hours before the official end . . . which he knew about.

[@Skyscraper44able]

This was the movie that made be realize what evil people Churchill, the ladies with their white feathers and all those post-War "Dear Courageous Aunt Agathas" were.

[@AlokAsthana1954]

I am a retired army man, India. Am convinced that war is completely unnecessary and evil.

[@GodSavetheQueenII]

Gets me every time.

[@petersmith4202]

If you are thinking of putting on a uniform for money watch this film first

[@woodyspooner]

That final shot of countless thousands of white crosses, each one a symbol of a life wasted fighting a war that was probably never fully understood by those who fought and died in the mud of some foreign place with name they could not even pronounce. They were told it's your patriotic duty to fight for king and country. Such a waste of limitless potential and possibilities from those who, instead of dying in a stupid war, could have lived to achieve a positive contribution to the world. Half forgotten men who fought in half forgotten war, fought over a hundred years ago buried in a foreign land beneath a white cross.🕊

[@donathandorko]

4:45 He died, dear. He died. One of the most underrated scenes in movie history.

[@aquariumdude7829]

A powerful, sad, and haunting ending! :(

[@juanmanuelparadacontreras9565]

El final de este filme antibélico es impresionante y conmovedor.

[@garyhunt8067]

No CGI at all. Incredible.

[@TheSeafordian]

The field of crosses was at Ovingdean. It looked amazing.

[@paulclow3398]

One of the best anti war films ever, and one of the reasons i read so many books about the conflict, such a stupid tragic waste of life, like all wars, and the sad fact is that we will never learn, war is what our species is best at

[@larascullion]

this is truelly an amazing film it inspired my school for our thearter production and in 10 days our class is going to belgium YAY

[@MrCrowebobby]

Seen on a big screen if began to look as if the whole world was covered with those crosses.

[@MDBellamy]

That's how I first saw this film, on a big screen. It was a totally crushing experience for me. As you say, the crosses just seemed endless and unavoidable (although, apparently, they represent less than the number of Tommies killed on the first day of the Somme).

[@MrDaiseymay]

@@MDBellamy Some of the largest Cemetary's, which are in France, can be seen from Space.

[@WaferBrik]

Those who die during a war aren't its only victims. Many are left terribly scarred and maimed and others are so wounded psychologically that they can never function normally again. Yet others among the war damaged end their agonized lives by their own hand. As my father did.

[@AudieHolland]

No CGI was harmed in the making of this film.

[@ceesvandervlis9041]

Still valid in 2022

[@dogstar518]

This and the final sequence in Blackadder goes Forth are, in my opinion, the two of the most poignant bits of cinematography ever recorded

[@bigred7931]

our forefathers would cry to see it happen not only in 39 but again in todays world, "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. We will remember them."

[@Vio818]

Today is remembrance day in the UK. Back in past it was a more sombre time were we remember all aspects of war and how WW1 was a pointless thing and that those that died were real men and women who deserve to be remembered. Now it is the single largest recruiting day for the UK army other than the day after UK children get there exam results.

[@donathandorko]

"Granny what did daddy do in the war?" We all know the answer. But we'll never tell them. We can't ever tell them. it is too late. Never forget.

[@MrBrutal33]

Over 9 million combatants died in the coflict and 10 million civilians, all so the royal houses of Europe could play a dynastic chess game with real human pieces. Unfortunately, that slavish mentality of King and country is still very much alive.

[@ahardbrexit6628]

Here for the Armistice

[@andrewmiddleton25]

No CGI, some poor sods had to plant all those crosses. Required viewing on the sly recruitment drive that is 'Armed Forces Day'.

[@Nyckname]

Even better, they couldn't be set too deep, and the helicopter for the overhead shots kept blowing them over.

[@Nyckname]

All though I bet it beat the hell out of setting the real ones over graves.

[@nicholasdavies213]

And many never did tell us, only in their twilight years when it all came flooding back did it finally get told to those who were at last prepared to listen....

[@fredarcher7264]

How on earth can you give this clip a thumbs down ?????????????

[@swaldron5558]

Must be Leftists

[@tedf1471]

@@swaldron5558 "Must be"? are these some fantasy monsters that exist only in your mind?

[@lucindaarmour4685]

@@swaldron5558 Why would you say that? Anyone who gave the film a thumbs down simply doesnt understand the film. It is a pacifist film. It is a leftist film. It is not remotely patriotic. Attenbough (and Joan Littlewood - the socalist theatre director who concieved it) would not understand your comment.

[@mickcoomer9714]

I can remember the BBC banning Harvey Andrews song “hello Hans” which was about children playing in the local German POW cemetery because it was “inappropriate “, what ever that means.

[@snerper]

This scene was filmed on the South Downs, on Whitehawk Hill between Brighton and Rottingdean.

[@bumpermanthesecond615]

During the time of the making, the whole world was in cold war, while britain still remembers the horrors of wars aver since ww1.

[@george5590]

it is a masterpiece of a movie ?

[@pitedapollo6175]

yes.

[@mcpartridgeboy]

English films, writing and art in general where such a class above the rest at this time.

[@lewisgreen1633]

Used to be, but not anymore..

[@jac627]

Magnificent.

[@simonf8902]

The last dead soldier before the end of the war.

[@Gary80264]

No CGI on the crosses

[@JANXDPDX]

no computers, but cinema tricks

[@Rhwiajxdjn]

As a Hearts FC fan it’s terrible being remembered that most of the team gave up playing there favourite game to fight to keep there family and friends safe. And even worse when you think Britain shouldn’t even have been in the War we should’ve just let Europe do there own thing

[@bradcobb3418]

pathetic.

[@maureenchallis2093]

Heartbreaking. I never knew my maternal grandfather because he was killed on the Somme.