What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? (1966)

A lot of fun.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Released in 1966 and directed by Blake Edwards, "What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?" chronicles amusing events at a strategic Italian hamlet during WWII. The village's citizens agree to surrender to an Allied platoon on the condition that they hold their traditional wine festival. Due to aerial reconnaissance, the platoon must look like they are fiercely fighting the Sicilians when that's hardly case; in fact, they're partying it up! Mistaking the festival for an attack, a platoon of Germans come to assist the Italians.This is a fun mid-60's war comedy, the obvious inspiration for the superior "Kelly's Heroes," which came out four years later. Carroll O'Connor even plays the same basic character. There are some dull stretches and the entire last act is weak, almost ruining the movie. But the rest is quietly amusing with good laughs here and there highlighted by Dick Shawn, James Coburn, Sergio Fantoni and Harry Morgan, not to mention the jaw-dropping beauty of Giovanna Ralli. Shawn plays the by-the-books Allied captain offset by Coburn's easy-going lieutenant. Morgan's character getting lost in the catacombs and going mad is memorable. Only watch this, however, if you have a taste for 60's war comedies in the mold of "Kelly's Heroes," 1970's "M*A*S*H" or Hogan's Heroes. The movie is overlong at 116 minutes and was shot at Lake Sherwood, California, on a thoroughly convincing Italian village set. GRADE: B-

Gad, this is an awful waste of time. That this mess passed for farce, wit, and sophistication seems incomprehensible. Except for Aldo Ray, none of the actors seems suited for his role. The script lacks even a faint scent of insight. Blake Edwards made worse films—"The Great Race" and "10"come to mind. Mr. Blake never seems to assume responsibility for his lack of depth or his ineptitude. He ought to have retired with this film. Unfortunately, he did not. He made boring movies.I find it almost impossible to comprehend that Philippe de Broca's elegant and tender film "King of Hearts" had release the same year as this mess. The worst aspect of the film is the awful score by Henry Mancini. It has nothing to do with war or anything else for that matter.This picture is simply awful. Avoid it.

Maybe this is not the Great American Movie, but certainly a worthy effort. It has been over 30 (maybe 40) years since I've seen it (and not for lack of trying to find it on TV or for rent) but I can still remember how hard I laughed at Harry Morgan's antics. That's funny stuff! Worth a watch and I do wish it was available on DVD. At that time I first saw this I had no idea who Blake Edwards was, but looking back I can see the influence and similarities with works like the Pink Panther series. If you liked the Pink Panther and the Return of the Pink Panther (the only two I really cared for) you probably will like this too.

This is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen -- one part social commentary, three parts random chaos. If you like your movies to make sense, you won't enjoy this one; if you like "Paris When it Sizzles," _Catch-22_, or any Tom Stoppard novels, this will be right up your alley. It's very hard to find, though; I saw it on television in London back in 1994 and haven't been able to find any video rental store that carries it.