Oh! What a Lovely War (1969)
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I came home one night and there was a script with a note from John Mills, of the famous musical play, adapted by Len Deighton, asking me to read it. I rang Johnny in the morning and said, "It is a fabulous screenplay. What do you want me to play?" He said, "Dick we're not asking you to play, we want you to direct." I told him he was out of his mind, as it was an incredibly difficult subject to direct and I had no experience whatsoever. He said, "We could find somebody who knows absolutely everything about directing, or we could find somebody who knows absolutely nothing about it and who might venture into new ground. We've decided to get someone who knows absolutely nothing." So, after gulping somewhat, I said OK.
There was no money. I tried everyone and then Bud Ornstein, United Artists UK chief, suggested I meet Charles Bluhdorn, a 'madman' who had just bought Paramount. So I arranged to meet him and, ham that I am, played some of the scenes, sang some of the songs, did some of the dancing. He said anybody who has this amount of commitment should have the money and he asked if I could get some big British names. Lying through my teeth I said I could get Olivier, Richardson, Gielgud, Jackson, Jack Hawkins, Kenneth Moore, Maggie Smith, Michael & Vanessa Redgrave etc. etc. He said if I got five of the names on that list, he would give me the money to make it. So first I went to Larry. He said, "Dick, of course you must direct it, I believe in you absolutely. It doesn't matter what the part is, I'll read the telephone directory if you wanted me to do so." I was so excited and, as I was leaving, he called me back to say, "Tell Ralphie and Johnny - meaning Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud - that I am doing it for equity minimum and so must they." It was an incredible cast and they all worked to an agreed set level.
Lord Attenborough
"I always enjoyed working on his films as he afforded you the generosity of paying you the same respect as a junior actor as he did the experienced actors, which is very rare. It's always a pleasure to work with Dickie, as he knows very clearly what he wants from you and is very clear with his demands."
Edward Fox Actor '1st Aide' - Oh! What a Lovely War
