User reviews

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-

When the obits of Harry Morgan were printed a few days ago, there was mention that one of his movie highlights was this one in which he plays a Major Pott who becomes crazy during the course of the movie. He's quite hilarious here and I found myself laughing quite a bit during much of this Blake Edwards' comedy that takes place in Italy during World War II but I have to admit that it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Still, I liked many of the actors that appear here which besides Morgan includes Dick Shawn (especially liked his drag appearance in the later part of the film), James Coburn (acting perfectly straight while thinking crazy things), Giovanna Ralli (geogeous Italian eye candy), Carroll O'Connor (in a role that eventually convinced Norman Lear to cast him as Archie Bunker in "All in the Family"), and Leon Askin (whose Colonel Kastorp doesn't seem much different from his General Burkhalter in "Hogan's Heroes"). Like I said, not too much makes sense but What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? has its moments.

If you've never seen "What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?", you owe it to yourself to pick it up (or at least ask Netflix to stock it!). Great, wacky fun, memorable characters/situations, heavy drinking, babes, and catacombs!! What's not to love???

Stars some of the greats: James Coburn (Magnificent Seven, Our Man Flint, etc.), Harry Morgan (who kept up the military theme as Colonel Potter on M*A*S*H), and Carroll O'Connor (whom you might better recognize as Archie Bunker). It's got all the energy and cleverness of "Animal House" without the "Porky's"-style humor - this is a movie you can watch with your kids!

I've been looking for it for years. Rent it. You'll be glad you did.

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 comedy is produced, directed and co-written by Blake Edwards and is set during WWII. Company C and their new commander (Dick Shawn) have been ordered to take the town of Valerno, Italy. However, when they arrive, they are shocked to see the town has no interest in fighting...all they want to do is celebrate some festival that night....and they will only surrender IF they are allowed to hold that festival first. The Lieutenant (James Coburn) suggests they just do what the townspeople and local Italian soldiers suggest. This seems like a grand idea and the American troops celebrate the night away with their new Italian friends. Unfortunately, this results in MANY complications...none of which they anticipated.

While the film occasionally gets too silly (such as the scene with Harry Morgan wandering about the catecombs), it is very different and that is a major plus for the movie. I cannot recall another film like it! Worth your time.

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.

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.

In 1943, as American Army troops are invading Italy, an over-eager yet green Commanding Officer is given the choice whether or not to overtake a small Sicilian village; hungry for the invasion, he leads his men into battle, but the cheery, celebrating Italians ultimately make a surrender difficult to manage. Developed and directed by Blake Edwards, this wartime comedy hasn't many jokes, and a great deal of the situations center on Dick Shawn's shrill Captain Cash, leaving stars James Coburn and Aldo Ray with little to do but react. Shawn does well in his role, but the part itself (a sniveling weasel who is temporarily subdued by a broad and some liquor) is tiresome, representing a cookie-cutter approach to the writing. The production is passable, and Edwards and screenwriter William Peter Blatty do make some comments on military procedure which are adept, but they run out of interesting ideas too soon. Edwards' mood is light and his tone is jovial, but there's no comedy in Blatty's script to match up with this. The result is rather like "Hogan's Heroes" without the laugh-track. *1/2 from ****

"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!!!

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.

The first half is promising: Blake Edwards ridicules the foolishness of militarism and sets up an unusual situation full of comic possibilities. But in the second half the film changes tone and the action is so poorly staged that it all becomes a loud and chaotic mess. It's still better than "The Great Race", though..... (**)

I like this movie for several reasons. One, is that it was made the year I was born-1966. Most movies from that year are very odd or strange- that was the height of the mod generation. One other good movie from 1966 is Fahrenheit 451. Anyway, My great Uncle is also in the movie. He plays the mayor of the town-Mayor Romano. It is ironic because although his stage name was Jay Novello, in real life his name was Michael Romano! Also Dick Shawn is hilarious and James Coburn is great as well-This was the same time period that he made his James bond spoof movies-in like Flint etc.... Definitely worth seeing again. Not quite on par with Kelly's Hero's-the best war comedy ever, but still close to that.

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.

Despite Blake Edwards fine attention to detail and handsome production values, this whole thing is just a mess. Some of the opening battle scenes are nicely done, despite what appears to be some homemade battle gear. Shawn, as usual, is nervous and ineffective, but no doubt in the 60's he had some sort of appeal on a comic level. Coburn, is, well, looking as if at any minute he is going to break into the Bear Dance; bored stiff, and just walking through the entire production (something he does so well makes you wonder if this is his entire acting repertoire. And then there is old archie bunker. Yuck, yuck, and double yuck. He repeated this performance a bit more effectively in Kelly's Heroes a few years later, but his appearance on the screen just slows down the narrative. Only recommend this if there are no reruns of Green Acres to be had.

In the annals of military history are some of the most serious moments imaginable. However, with this movie, surprisingly written by William Peter Blatty that's the farthest thing from director Blake Edwards's mind. The movie is called " What did you do in the War, Daddy? " From the moment an audience sit's to watch this extraordinary movie, a roller coaster ride of hilarity begins. It's the story of Lionel Cash (Dick Shawn) a seriously dedicated West Point Captain who's been ordered to take an Italian town, by the commanding General (Carroll O'Conner). Entering the small town, he is confronted by Captain Oppo (Sergio Fantoni) the Italian commander who immediately surrenders. However, when Cash attempts to order the Italians out, they balk and demand a Festival as a condition. With a real confrontation threatening to renew the war, Cash's Lieutenant (James Coburn) asks, 'what's the harm?' Thus, this film swings into it's comedic mode and the world war turns upside down. Jovality and a festive atmosphere make this movie a fun feature to watch with almost every changing situation causing humor, hilarity and side-splitting laughter. The cast which includes Aldo Ray, Giovanna Ralli and Henry Morgan do a marvelous job to create a superb Classic. A great film recommended to anyone seeking humor in World War II. ****

War dramedies were popular in the '60s, culminating in 1970's Kelly's Heroes. In an usual twist, the last one was the gold standard (pun intended). 1966 saw What Did You Do In the War, Daddy?, a rare box office bomb from Blake Edwards. At just under 2 hours, it's not only long but it seems even longer. The cast was certainly top-notch but wasted on a meandering story that could have been tightened into a decent 90 minutes. I can't help but feel that main leads Dick Shawn and James Coburn should have had their roles reversed. Shawn's comedic talent is wasted as the straight-laced captain and Coburn's lieutenant wanders through the film as if looking for something funny to do and never finding it. The normally talented Mr. Coburn seems to sleepwalk through the entire production. Carrol O'Connor is worth seeing as a gung-ho general, a part he'll later repeat almost exactly in Kelly's Heroes four years later. The most fun is to be had is in watching Harry Morgan's major slowly disintegrate from stoic leadership to complete insanity. It's a rare chance for Morgan to be loony and he plays it well.

With good production values, occasional humor and likable cast it's still worth a watch for war comedy fans....barely.

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.

You can't watch this movie without laughing. The casting of James Colburn, Dick Shawn, Aldo Ray was perfect for this probably the best comedy of WWII. Dick Shawn really showed his comedic skill where he begins as a dedicated officer, determined to make his mark in winning the war by taking a small Italian village and winds up as the love interest of an amorous German officer when disguised in drag. It was hilarious watching him as he tries to fight off the German's "advances." The plot seems to be about the Italian's unwillingness to surrender to the Americans led by Dick Shawn unless they could first have their festival which Dick Shawn is first unwilling to agree to until James Colburn convinces Shawn it would be a wise military decision to allow them to have it in exchange for their surrender. Somehow during the festival, the Americans lose their uniforms to the Italians and the Italians lose theirs to the Americans in a card game. This sets up the fun for some hilarious moments when Colonel Potts played by TV MASH actor Harry Morgan arrives there to inspect US troops and finds what he thinks are American troops but instead are the Italian soldiers dressed as Americans who can't speak a word of English. Before he can get wise that something isn't right, he is taken prisoner by Also Ray wearing an Italian uniform pressuring him to hurry along to a waiting jeep with basic Italian: "Presto! Presto!" These are just a few of the funny scenes you will be treated to! War has never been funnier!

I remember watching Blake Edward's (always beware of this word) zany service comedy on NBC 35 years ago and laughing out loud for two thirds of the film.

Then, everything changed. I recollect the basic story--and the army officer losing his mind in the catacombs underneath an Italian town--but all of a sudden, the film got serious and brutal. The whole thing came to a screeching halt when, I think, the Germans arrive to spoil the on-screen party.

What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? was such a disappointment. It wasn't until I got quite a bit older that I realized that Edwards was trying to make a statement of some sort with this thing, and his delivery was so heavy-handed, the movie just collapsed.

Skip it.