Was hast du denn im Krieg gemacht, Pappi?

What Did You Do in the War,Daddy? is a great movie that has been neglected for too long. It belongs on DVD for a new generation to enjoy. The story is just as entertaining now as when it first was theatrically released. The characters are timeless. The setting picturesque. The plot and pacing superb. It remains one of the best comedic World War II movies made. Truly a funny movie. It has intelligent humor that does not require gross out jokes to make it funny. It was made back when writing was still an art form and there were still original ideas in Hollywood. It is a must own for all WWII buffs. It is a constant disappointment to see that it is not on DVD, nor that it is "not in the works." Something must be done about it. "To arms!"

this movie was not only well written it has all the right stars. dick Shawn is hilarious and black Edwards always puts out A comedy! and the biggest plus of all was that i was there when they made the movie shot partly in thousand oaks California.if this movie was made today it would still garnish rave revue's.James coburn is one of my all time favorite actors,and of coarse harry Morgan we all know today from M.A.S.H. he adds to the strength of the comedy as Bud Abbott once did with Costello.of all the movie remakes i think this one would and should be considered by the studio executers.With a budget of todays standard it would not be a problem of set and location but that of actor costs and consideration.

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.

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-

"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!!!