Based on Joan Littlewood's stage production, this stylised, satirical and ultimately moving tribute to the soldiers who answered their country's call and fought in the Great War was Richard Attenborough's first film as a director. An all-star cast performs the original's jingoistic music hall songs, which Attenborough cleverly stages in Brighton's Royal Pavilion and on the old West Pier. While there was animosity behind the scenes - Len Deighton refused screen credit as the film's writer - this remains a distinctive piece of work and by far the most audacious film Attenborough has ever made. It also tapped into the Sergeant Pepper style that was all the rage in 1969.

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.