Qu'as-tu fait à la guerre, papa?

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!"

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.

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.

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.

Amusing absurd comedy set during the Allied invasion of Sicily. The comedy unavoidably, due to its historical setting, can't help but be compared to the typical Italian comedy, and I regret to say it doesn't quite measure up.

The plot is somewhat convoluted and, at times, dull, with some narrative devices being overly repetitive (such as entering or exiting through the sewer hatch). Undoubtedly, it boasts a good cast with talented actors, albeit used routinely here, without showcasing their best skills. The props suit the film's parody nature adequately, but they are quite careless, displaying evident aesthetic anachronisms.

The plot is quite convoluted and includes some episodes that contribute little or nothing to the overall narrative of the film, such as the episode where Hitler himself learns about the fraternization between his Italian allies and the Americans. Strangely, this episode is the only reference to a real character amidst an otherwise fictional cast, including the fictitious town of Sicily, which not only doesn't exist by name but doesn't even exist as a town since it was entirely created as a set at Lake Sherwood Ranch in Thousand Oaks, around 60 km northwest of Hollywood.

Overall, there's little more to add. If the aim of a comedic film is to elicit a few laughs, this one manages to do so adequately, though it falls short of reaching any memorable or masterful level.