John Lennon was to star with Michael Crawford in the anti-war film satire directed by Richard Lester entitled How I Won the War. This was to be a very productive period for John, as he was also to compose one of his masterpieces “Strawberry Fields Forever” in Almeria , Spain during the filming of the movie.
The book:
London: Century, 1999
Crawford’s signature in the book
Back Cover of Crawford’s book
John Lennon as Musketeer Gripweed and Michael Crawford as Lieutenant Earnest Goodbody:
1966 October 29th John Lennon interview on the set of How I Won the War. – YouTube
Was able to acquire a special edition DVD of the film on Ebay which also had a mini magazine of photos taken from the film
The paperback version of the book by Patrick Ryan released in 1967 and published by Ballantine books:
Michael Crawford, of course, was to ascend to superstardom status in his role of the Phantom in the Andrew Lloyd Webber smash hit musical of the “Phantom of the Opera.”
Have you watched the film? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.
Buzz
Very cool review! It was great to be able to see the movie for the first time in the early 80s (it was on the Playboy Cable Channel in the States). I have the paperback book too (2nd edition) that looks in about the same condition. Your post reminded me that I should read the book. Maybe I would understand the movie better. Having a signed Michael Crawford book is wonderful!
It’s an odd film … very artsy … very sixties … but I like it!
It is definitely very 60s for sure, and looks dated now.