 | |
| Directed by | Blake Edwards |
| Cast | James Coburn, Dick Shawn, Sergio Fantoni, Giovanna Ralli, Aldo Ray, Robert Carricart, Kurt Kreuger, Harry Morgan, Jay Novello, Carroll O'Connor and Vito Scotti |
| Theatrical Release | November 30, 1965 |
| DVD Release | May 20, 2008 |
| Running Time | 116 minutes |
| MPAA Rating | NR (Not Rated) |
| UPC Code | 883904106845 |
| Buy this item | $10.99 at Amazon.com
As of Jul 24 0:36 EDT (details)
1 DVD, TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT, Usually ships in 24 hours, Color, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), German (Original Language), Italian (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed)
Or 28 new from $10.99, 7 used from $8.50 |
Comedy master Blake Edwards weaves his wacky madness in this first-rate WWII story of a by-the-book Captain (Dick Shawn) who is ordered to take over a troop of misfit soldiers led by Lieutenant James Coburn.System Requirements:Running Time: 116 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY/CLASSICS Rating: NR UPC: 883904106845 Manufacturer No: M110684 Product Description
The gentle, absurdist comedy in this Blake Edwards film portraying American soldiers in Sicily during WWII prefigures in some ways his later "Pink Panther" series. One would have to be humorless to object to his stereotypes of the sultry local seductress, Italian troops more interested in village festivals, music, wine and women than fighting, and the evil Nazis who contrast to the bumbling but eventually victorious Americans. James Coburn plays the resourceful American sergeant and Harry Morgan, later Colonel Potter of M*A*S*H fame, his confused commanding officer lost in the catacombs of the small but festive village caught in the crossfire. A dialog-filled initial exposition, while crucial to understanding character, may be off-putting to viewers raised on more instant-action gratification.
July 14, 2008 |  | Funny! M*A*S*H for WWII, without any preaching |  |
This movie has always been one of my favorites. With Dick Shawn as Capt. Lionel Cash, being the sharp no-nonsense officer who gets ambushed by James Coburn (as Lt. Christian), Aldo Ray and assorted others who lead him to find his more fun-loving side, if somewhat begrudgingly. This film takes a battle for a small italian town and turns it into a party. Then it reverses the process, all with plenty of Laughs. Harry Morgan of M*A*S*H fame is excellent as an officer who ends up beneath the town wandering the catacombs. I've often suspected the M*A*S*H TV show of stealing Harry's M*A*S*H name from this movie. He plays Major Pott. Carroll O'Conner gives an excellent performance as the General who sends the straight-laced Captain to take over some war weary veterens. Sergio Fantoni is superb as the Italian Captain who wants to surrender, but demands a party first and Giavonni Rolli is the woman who keeps the war moving, by being the romantic foil for Americans, Germans and Italians. The cast of characters include clumsy italian bank robbers, leacherous German officers, and more. This movie pre-dated M*A*S*H and Kelly's Heroes by a few years and I think it was better and set the standard.
July 1, 2008This is a great, but under-appreciated movie. Like most Blake Edwards movies, it has fine writing and a good balance between subtle and obvious humor. There is a fine soundtrack by Henry Mancini, and it is unusual in that it features Dick Nash on euphonium (he normally plays trombone for Mancini) in some nice "character" performances. It co-stars Harry Morgan, who plays Col. Potter in MASH. Morgan also played a dingy officer in an earlier MASH episode. This movie has him in a similar role, going a bit bananas after being stuck in some catacombs for too long.
Very entertaining movie!
June 23, 2008A favourite of mine for years, the print is superb in crisp wide screen.
The film has never looked so good and the cast is top knotch.
June 22, 2008| | | Hilarious Satire and Memorable Characters - Real Classic | |
This movie is fun and absolute entertainment from start to finish, the critics panned it... and missed the point. Sometimes we want larger than life characters who are just like people we imagine. So... Can a by the book type personality deal with extraordinary circumstances and a cast of strong characters to learn a humble lesson about life in a war? You have to see this one to find out and experience the satirical journey. My whole family laughed so hard (kids too), we had to go out and get some air with this one. It sure has been a long time since we did that. This is a gem and this has high replay in the family. 5 BIG Stars for sure.
June 21, 2008More reviews at Amazon.com ...
Daily Birthdays
(17 reviews)