How I Won the War Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.5
Audio		2.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.0

How I Won the War Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 8, 2016

Adapting Patrick Ryan’s satiric novel, “How I Won the War,” for the big screen, screenwriter Charles Wood and director Richard Lester take on a considerable creative challenge, tasked with identifying horrors while poking fun at a never-ending cycle of misery. Overall, the feature fails to convey the details of psychological poisoning, but Lester-isms tend to define the viewing experience, watching the impish filmmaker struggle to find a balance between the slapstick he’s known for and the severity of the story.

“How I Won the War” is ambitious, attempting to contrast the blind-leading-the-blind leadership extremes of military service with more isolated shenanigans as a unit of irregulars experiences the horrors of war. Lester pushes along as usual, finding pockets of dryness to accompany broadness, but to the effort is never amusing. Instead, the production misses satire by a mile, emerging with a vague understanding of camaraderie and combat blues, almost always on the hunt for a joke instead of enlightenment. At nearly two hours, Lester’s whiffing during “How I Won the War” grows tiresome, especially when visual interests are frequently put ahead of character identity.

How I Won the War Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.67:1 aspect ratio) presentation provides a respectful but unremarkable viewing experience, taking on the visual trickery of "How I Won the War" with adequate results. Detail is passable for a feature of this age, handling close-ups with degrees of texture, while locations are open for survey, preserving distances and group activity. Colors are slightly muted but remain comfortable. More theatrical hues tend to make the greatest impression, but colder environments register as well. Delineation isn't hurt, offering a clear look at evening encounters. Source is a little ratty at times, but overt damage isn't found, sticking to a routine of scratches and speckling.

How I Won the War Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is extremely harsh on the ears, offering a shrill listening experience. Dialogue exchanges aren't impossible to follow, but there's no depth to dramatics and group interplay, crippled by sharpness that periodically finds distortive extremes. Music is equally unpleasant but never completely wiped away, lacking instrumentation. Sound effects are also severe, with war sequences reduced to a cacophony of explosions and gunfire.

How I Won the War Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (3:13, HD) is included.

How I Won the War Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

John Lennon, taking a supporting role as a disenchanted army man, is the main draw here, and likely the only reason why "How I Won the War" still receives attention to this day. In his one and only dramatic turn, Lennon is Lennon: droll. However, he's the pop culture lightning strike Lester returns to repeatedly, using the musician's fame to interest outsiders in a movie that's shapeless, chaotic, and worst of all, superficial.