verne-6 "What did you do in the war daddy?" is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. It rates up there with "It's a Mad Mad Mad World", and "The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming", etc. Definitely a laugh out loud movie. I saw it first in Seattle in the 60's with a friend, and it was playing with "..The Russians are coming." Both movies were so hilarious that we stayed and watched them both twice. I was shocked here to read the negative reviews. Perhaps what caused their dislike is why the movie was not as popular as it should have been. I do remember when the Germans arrived, the whole tone of the movie changed. It was a gay hilarious party, and suddenly the war returns. You don't want the fun to end, so you're kind of angry that the writers did this to you. But, if you can tell yourself this IS a 'comedy about war' and accept the change, you will see that the hilarity continues. You will enjoy the end just as much as the beginning. I bought the VHS version years ago when it came out and have to agree to the timelessness of it, it was still hilarious. It needs to come out on DVD!!!

grendelkhan At least, that is how I feel after watching this movie. Blake Edwards delivers another great comedy; this time, in the Italian Theater, in WWII. Dick Shawn (The Producers) is the by the book Capt. Cash, with his trusty Lt. Christian. They have "captured" Capt. Oppo and his men; that is, if they have a festival. Well, one party and a surprise visit by an "intelligence" major (military intelligence, the ultimate oxymoron) and he two sides have to fake a battle. Next thing you know, the Americans and Italians must team up to fight the Germans.The film is filled with the wonderful slapstick to be expected from Edwards, in the 60's, as well as fine character performances from Shawn, Aldo Ray, James Coburn, Vitto Scotti, Sergio Fantoni; and, especially, Henry Morgan.The film is lighthearted fun, without being insulting to veterans of the war. It's a piece of farce, with its own place in the sun. Everyone is having fun, with Morgan at his insane best (a style he was able to repeat in his first appearance in MASH, before Col. Potter). The entire situation is absurd, but that makes it all the more enjoyable.Some scenes to watch for: The staged battle, Henry Morgan running around in the catacombs, and the "fight" with the Germans. This is Blake Edwards at his best. Definitely worth seeking out.

Lee Eisenberg Gen. Sherman said that war is hell, but if he had seen "What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?", he would have eaten his words. The movie focuses on an American platoon that captures an Italian village in WWII. The Italians are willing to surrender as long as they can have their festival. This creates a problem for the Americans, who have to look like they're fighting. Meanwhile, one of the commanding officers gets lost in the catacombs and goes crazy.Dick Shawn displays the same type of wacky humor that he employed in "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World", and we even get to see Carroll O'Connor, pre-"All in the Family". Perfect.

broosr The Sixties produced a slew of funny war comedies demonstrating that WWII was basically good fun for all concerned, rather than being peopled with the kind of angst-filled, hand-wringing adolescents you see nowadays in movies like Memphis Belle and Saving Private Ryan. Edwards would go on to fantastic success with the Pink Panther series and writer Blatty is notable for his later work, The Exorcist. Edwards draws on a solid cast, including veterans Carroll O'Connor, Harry Morgan and Aldo Ray, without whom no war movie is complete. Italian star Fantoni turns in a meatball performance as Oppo but Dick Shawn steals the show with the best role of his career. Although a little slow in spots, Blake Edwards nonetheless gets where he's going and the result is a fine, though underrated, entry in the genre. The interactions between Shawn and Fantoni are worth the price of admission alone.