How I Won the War Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "How I Won the War," utilizing a 1.67:1 aspect ratio and AVC encoded image, offers a respectful yet somewhat unremarkable visual experience. The 1080p transfer maintains a balance between ensuring detail and retaining the film's original texture, with close-ups and middle shots showcasing impressive clarity. However, distance and wide shots often lose focus, leading to a somewhat soft and soupy appearance. The film grain is preserved, providing an authentic look, though it occasionally appears noisy.

Color reproduction is slightly muted, adhering to the film's World War II aesthetic. While this dampens the vibrancy of primaries, it accurately portrays the drab wartime atmosphere. Theatrical hues stand out more prominently, yet colder scenes also render effectively. Black levels are well-handled, contributing to a satisfactory sense of depth throughout. The source material shows minimal overt damage, limited to occasional scratches and speckling, which do not detract significantly from the viewing experience.

Overall, this Blu-ray transfer offers a passable look at "How I Won the War," balancing fidelity to the original film with the technological limitations inherent in its age. While not the most exceptional transfer available, it provides a generally clear and watchable presentation suitable for fans and new viewers alike.

The DTS-HD MA 2.0 audio mix for "How I Won the War" unfortunately offers a rather harsh auditory experience. Dialogue retains clarity but suffers from a lack of depth, often feeling flat and lifeless. The sporadic sharpness in vocal exchanges can sometimes veer into distortion, further disrupting viewer immersion. Musical elements are faint and lacking in richness, while sound effects, particularly during battle sequences, become overwhelming and clash in an unpleasant cacophony of explosions and gunfire.

Moreover, the mix presents an aggressive tonal variation within conversations. Scenes frequently shift from normal dialogue to abrupt, loud interruptions by other characters or sound effects, designed ostensibly for comedic effect. These rapid tonal shifts not only undermine the audio balance but also create a jarring listening experience. While these elements are likely intentional, meant to sustain the film's kinetic energy and humor, they contribute to an audio presentation that may be difficult to endure rather than enjoyable.

The Blu-ray extras for "How I Won the War" provide a comprehensive and engaging collection that enhances the viewing experience. The assortment includes not only the theatrical trailer but also an insightful segment from Trailers from Hell featuring notable directors, and several additional HD trailers for other classic films. These extras are conceptually rich, adding historical and contextual depth that is sure to please cinephiles and fans of Richard Lester's work. The careful curation and high-definition format make these supplementary materials a valuable addition alongside the main feature.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional trailer.
• Trailers from Hell: 'The Knack and how to Get It': With Director Allan Arkush.
• Trailers from Hell: 'The Bed Sitting Room': With Director John Landis.
• 'The Knack and how to Get It' Trailer: Promotional trailer.
• 'The Bed Sitting Room' Trailer: Promotional trailer.
• 'Juggernaut' Trailer: Promotional trailer.
• 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' Trailer: Promotional trailer.

Richard Lester's adaptation of Patrick Ryan's satiric novel "How I Won the War" is a bold yet flawed cinematic venture. The ambition to blend the absurdity of war with dark humor is evident, but the execution often falters. As Lt. Goodbody, played by Michael Crawford, leads a disordered unit through the comedic and tragic facets of WWII, the film struggles to maintain a cohesive tone. Lester's signature slapstick style seems misaligned with the severe thematic undertones, failing to capture the psychological anguish of warfare adequately. The film's nearly two-hour runtime, with its focus on visual flair over character depth, ultimately results in a cumbersome and puzzling experience.

The cast, including John Lennon's notable performance as Gripweed, adds an intriguing layer, although their talents appear underutilized within the disjointed narrative framework. The movie's attempt to embody absurdist comedy sometimes ventures into tiresome territory, lacking the structured cheekiness that defined Lester’s other works like "A Hard Day's Night." Despite moments of brilliance and occasional humorous flourishes, the repetitive gags and erratic pacing weaken its impact.

Overall, "How I Won the War" contains flashes of comedic brilliance but repeatedly tests viewers' patience with its meandering structure. Michael Crawford's portrayal of Lt. Goodbody offers some redeeming qualities through fourth-wall-breaking monologues and sardonic narration. However, the film’s lack of a clear direction means it often plays like an elaborate set-up without a satisfactory punchline. Richard Lester's stylistic inclinations towards absurdist humor shine sporadically but fail to coalesce into a compelling satire on military ineptitude and the futility of war.

Richard Lester's "How I Won the War" attempts to carve out a niche in the war comedy genre but falls short on several fronts. The film's major draw is John Lennon's performance as the disenchanted army man, which remains a focal point for attracting viewers. However, despite Lennon's droll and charismatic presence, the film itself meanders through shapeless and chaotic narrative arcs, failing to establish a coherent or meaningful storyline. These deficiencies render the film somewhat superficial and challenging to engage with.

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release does an admirable job in terms of visual quality, boasting a strong image transfer that brings clarity and vibrancy to the film's aesthetic. Conversely, the audio mix might be polarizing, as its numerous audio gags can come across as jarring rather than humorous. Additionally, the supplementary materials are modest, consisting mainly of trailers and 'Trailers from Hell' segments for other Richard Lester releases. The package, while competent in terms of technical delivery, doesn't add much value for those seeking deeper insight or extensive bonus content.

In conclusion, "How I Won the War" remains a film worth exploring primarily for John Lennon's unique cinematic performance. However, its uneven storytelling and chaotic execution may not appeal to all. Kino Lorber's Blu-ray presents the film with impressive visual fidelity but lacks compelling extras. Overall, this is a title best approached with moderated expectations or trialed via rental before committing to a purchase.