The Secret War of Harry Frigg (1968) User Reviews

Wartime comedy with Newman as opportunist Private attempting to free Allied generals

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 25 February 2011]

The film starts in England March 1943 , when non-conformist Private Harry Frigg (Paul Newman) escapes from the guard house but he is detained again , previously he had escaped from prison dozens of times. Tunisia , April 1943 , allied generals are captured , it is a propaganda nightmare for the Allies. The generals are all one star and refuse to take orders from each other in order to scheme a getaway. Northern Italy , May 1943 , the group of American and European generals in prison at a luxurious Italian mansion . London August, 1943 , Major General (James Gregory) assigns Harry Frigg a dangerous mission as part a scheme . He is promoted to two stars Major General and ordered to get the generals out once he is trapped. Harry is parachuted to Northern Italy and imprisoned at the lush palace where are the generals . Harry is willing to escape, but then he meets a gorgeous countess (Sylva Koscina) and falls in love with her . At the beginning the generals suspect Harry Frigg of being a spy in their midst .

This is a warlike comedy with funny moments , bemusing situations and quite entertaining . Likable performance of Paul Newman as silly Private promoted general to help escape other generals from the custody of the Germans. Agreeable screenplay by Peter Stone , also producer . The screenwriter dabbles a comic battle of sexes between an illiterate Newman and a high-class countess . Wonderful Sylva Koscina as cultured countess who establishes a lovely and enjoyable relationship with Paul Newman . Top-drawer acting by secondary all cast as the generals as John Williams , Charles Gray , Andrew Duggan and Tom Bosley . Colorful cinematography in Techniscope by Russell Metty and appropriate musical score by Carlo Rustichelli .

The motion picture is professionally directed by Jack Smight , American filmmaker with a penchant for the bizarre , macabre and extravagant entertainments . He began working for television in the early 50s . After successful ¨Harper¨ also with Paul Newman , in 1966 he realized the quirky caper titled ¨Kaleidoscope¨ . His best movie resulted to be ¨No way to treat a lady¨ , a very black comedy .Being continued by more peculiarities as ¨The Illustred man ¨. It's followed by the barely-released ¨Rabbit run¨, as he went on in TV films as ¨The screaming woman¨ , ¨The longest night¨ and ¨Frankestein: the true story ¨ . After that he directed unconvincing Sci-fi , as big war movie as ¨Midway¨ and one of ¨Airport¨ series . ¨The secret war of Harry Frigg¨ is an acceptable and passable film , a rare Newman film that turned to be such conspicuous lack of success what was a flop at box office ; however , nowadays is best considered.

Enjoyable war farce; funny, inventive and entertaining

[Nazi_Fighter_David · 7/10 · 19 January 2009]

The story is about five World War II Allied Generals who were captured in a Tunisian Turkish bath by the Italians and at once taken to a sumptuous Italian villa that is their prison…

The villa is under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Ferrucci (Vito Scotti). The five generals cannot agree on an escape plan… General Homer Prentiss (James Gregory) of Army Public Relations decides to enlist the services of Private Frigg (Newman) in arranging the generals' escape… Frigg, it seems, is a rebel and consummate escape artist who lands constantly in the stockade and he might well apply his rare skills to release the generals…

Frigg is promoted to Major General, and is sent in to lead them out… But once at the villa, he falls for the beautiful Contessa (Koscina), and keeps delaying the escape…

Newman is amusing as the silly officer who must pass himself off as a cultured general who is too modern and cool in his role…

If you are looking for a nice comedy, the film is humorous and, as usual, Sylva Koscina is so lovely to look at

That's Entertainment!

[tim-764-291856 · 6/10 · 22 November 2010]

This must be the equivalent to WW2 escape movies as was the original '67 Casino Royale was to spy movies. i.e incoherent, non-sensical, long, pantomime acting and with no apparent plot.

But, Boy! It is ridiculously entertaining, in a Pink Panther-ish way. Throw your preconceived ideas about Paul Newman (who looks schoolboyishly slightly, but endearingly, uneasy) the almost 'Allo, 'Allo (old comedy UK hit TV series set in occupied France) scenarios - but this is wartime Italy, making it more glamorous and picturesque.

So, I'm not going to bore you with the details of the cast that includes beautiful women, hammed-up character actors from the UK and elsewhere mixed into a cocktail of chases, gun battles and amusing (rather than hilarious) dialogue.

This is a wet Sunday afternoon movie-on-TV type, but without the slush and if you go make a cup of tea, do a spot of D.I.Y and walk the dog, you can come back into it and you'll be still be entertained.

Very Entertaining

[Fulcrum · 7/10 · 6 May 2001]

Some of the movies I get to see on movie channels that play older movies are well worth the extra few dollars a month to the cable company. This was one of those movies. Not the greatest movie I've ever seen, but very entertaining, funny in a quirky way, well worth a look.

delightful movie

[fenwicke · 21 October 1998]

It occurs to me that I saw Joe Pesci do a walk on in this film. It was either in 'Harry Frigg' or another war related movie, perhaps the 'Dirty Dozen.' There's a knock at the door and a high officer, a General, perhaps, beckons and in he (Pesci) walks, stands at attention and delivers a terse, one line message, and departs. Help!

Watchable and Amusing Comedy

[JamesHitchcock · 7/10 · 18 January 2023]

In 1943 five senior Allied officers, two American, two British and one French, are taken prisoner by the Italians in North Africa. Because of their exalted rank, the five are kept in a luxurious prison camp, a converted villa in Northern Italy belonging to an aristocratic family. Because all five hold the same rank, one-star General (or its British equivalent, Brigadier), none is in command. They periodically discuss escape plans, but are never able to agree among themselves, and because of their agreeable surroundings have no real desire to escape.

The Allied High Command, however, have other ideas, and decide to infiltrate a two-star General into the camp. The idea is that because he outranks the others he will have the authority to order them to escape. The High Command cannot, however, risk a real two-star General, so a private named Harry Frigg is temporarily promoted to that rank. Frigg makes a most unlikely senior commander; he is a malcontent who has a problem with authority, and the most prominent feature of his military record is the number of times he has been court-martialled, generally for insubordination, and the length of time he has spent in military prisons. What makes him suitable for this assignment, however, is that he has a genius for escaping from those prisons. (Paul Newman had a friendly rivalry with Steve McQueen, and I wondered if Frigg was intended as a comic version of McQueen's "cooler king" character from "The Great Escape").

Frigg allows himself to be captured by the Italians, and is assigned to the same prison as the others, and enthusiastically sets about making escape plans. He discovers a secret passage which might be useful, but loses his enthusiasm for escaping when he discovers that the passage leads to the private quarters of the villa's owner, the beautiful Countess Francesca, with whom he falls in love. Things take a turn for the worse, however, when Italy changes sides after the overthrow of Mussolini and the officers are transferred to a much harsher German-run camp.

The idea of a comedy set against the backdrop of World War II, or any other war for that matter, might strike some people as inappropriate unless it were to be made as a satirical, anti-war comedy along the lines of "Catch-22". During the war itself, however, humour played an important part in Allied propaganda, generally used to mock the Nazis and their allies, and this was as true of the cinema as any other medium. ("To Be Or Not to Be" is a well-known humorous war film from this period). This tradition continued after the war, particularly in prison-camp dramas like "The Colditz Story" which often contained a strong vein of humour. "The Secret War of Harry Frigg" essentially draws upon this tradition of finding humour even in serious situations and of sending up the Nazis at the same time. (The German Commandant, von Steignitz, is a blustering bully, but it is impossible to take him seriously). Newman is an actor I normally associate more with serious drama, but he did try his hand at comedy occasionally, most famously and most successfully in "The Sting". I wouldn't rate "Harry Frigg" quite as highly as that masterpiece, but he makes an attractive hero and the film is a very watchable and amusing comedy. 7/10

Some goofs. Von Steignitz rips up a copy of the Geneva Convention in front of the captured officers. In fact, the Germans generally respected the Convention as far as the Western Allies were concerned- the Eastern Front was another matter- because it also protected German prisoners held by the British and Americans. An epilogue to the story, set "six months later", shows the villa in Allied hands; as the main story takes place in the summer and autumn of 1943, this must mean that the epilogue is set in the spring of 1944, when Northern Italy would still have been controlled by the Germans and their pro-Mussolini Italian allies.

A Talent For Escape

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 30 June 2006]

Paul Newman as Harry Frigg is a goldbricking screw-up of a soldier who has one undeniable talent. Busting out of stockade. Seems as though the man cannot stand confinement.

That talent is put to good use by General James Gregory to affect the escape of five Allied Brigadier Generals who were captured in a Turkish bath in Tunis. Two British, two American, and one Free French general. The biggest Italian victory since the seizure of Albania.

Since these five guys seem willing to sit out the war in an Italian prison camp and being of equal rank can't get together on a plan of action, the idea Gregory has is to send in an escape specialist, the best the United States Army has, with the rank of a two star general and get an escape organized. Of course it's Paul Newman.

Of course when Newman is dropped into Italy and put in that prison camp for generals only, he finds it quite unlike any stockade he's ever been in. Prison as run by Colonel Vito Scotti a former hotel manager in Genoa. All the luxury of a Club Med vacation and for Newman, the attraction of Countess Sylva Koscina whose palace is being used for this prison camp for generals.

During the course of the film, the Allies have taken Sicily, and land in Salerno and Italy switches sides. The Nazis come and prove to be a gang of real party poopers.

The Secret War of Harry Frigg is a mildly amusing comedy. Paul Newman does the best he can with it, though he's not really cast well in this part. The premise is unusual however and my favorite performance is here is that of Vito Scotti. Man really knew how to be a good jailer.

Curiously enough some of the same premise involving Italy's deposing Mussolini and switching sides was the basis for another film about allied prisoners, Von Ryan's Escape. Of course that one involved far more prisoners and had a lot less laughs.

Paul Newman never really had a big comedy triumph until he made Slapshot. But this one while not great, is droll and amusing in its own way.

A Solid Movie

[David_Brown · 8/10 · 23 October 2010]

This is a movie that (If possible) should be seen as a Double Feature with "The Pigeon That Took Rome". They are very similar movies (Although I prefer "Pigeon") slightly. They are both movies about the "Fish Out Of Water" American mixed up with an Itallian Woman. What is different, is this film is about learning who you really are and what you can actually be: Countess Francesca De Montefiore (Sylvia Koscina)reached that stage (Being an average woman who married into royalty). MAJOR Spoilers Ahead: This is what will happen to Harry. "Are You A General Or Private?" Harry (Paul Newman) "A Little Of Both". And at the end where Harry tells the Countess "I Still Run Into The Generals From Time To Time, They Are Still Generals, But One Day I Will Get My Bars Back". Harry's plan (With the FULL participation of the Countess), is to marry her, rent the Villa/"Prison" he and the Generals were staying at DOUBLE the rent (That place was the softest definition of a prison possible), and live in the guest quarters with Francesca (Personal note: Mmmmmmm living with Sylvia Koscina, I would have signed up for that "Duty" in an instant). I have little doubt that he would have succeeded in his plan, because not only is he smart (And thinks outside the box), and has the Countess by his side, but has General Prentess (James Gregory), over him (Who knows that Harry can get things done, and made him an officer), finally, he learned quite a bit from Col. Enrico Ferrucci (Vito Scotti), on how to make Generals quite content.

Plain stupid

[slabihoud · 4/10 · 2 April 2012]

"The Secret War of Harry Frigg" shows the crisis in which the movie industry in the sixties has been. Stars like Paul Newman were not able to find decent material for films and had to do stuff like this. At that time WWII which had received serious treatment in the fifties was now ripe for spoofs, mostly in connection with the Italian front line because Italian soldiers did not remind people e.g. of concentration camps. Good comedies about wartime are rare ("To be or not to be") and the more distant the war got the more stupid the comedies about war. Watching Newman in the role of Harry Frigg makes me cringe. His character is completely unrealistic and so is the rest of the story. WWII became a playground for selfish soldiers who seemed to have no other problem but to have fun is definitely no fun to me.In this film as in "What did you do in the war, daddy?" the Italians are kind of cute and the Germans are the real enemies. One wonders when the first comedy about 9/11 will come out...

It is barely much of a secret that, despite the lead's performance, Harry Frigg's secret war against the classes and a certain woman's heart is not one for the long run.

[johnnyboyz · 5/10 · 12 July 2011]

The Secret War of Harry Frigg is a daft at best war comedy, a film I have little doubt exists for any other reason other than The Great Escape was made a few years previously and was somewhat successful; itself a piece with an outlandish, romping sensibility that distilled the harsh realities of life as a prisoner of war under German command through a filter of the somewhat upbeat and cheery. The characters had fun trying to escape, and we were invited to equate as such whilst watching them do so in their bid to get out and foil those dastardly Huns in the process. To some degree, Jack Smight's film of Harry Frigg is actually about the polar opposites, in that it features the fooling of the Italians along with the desire to stay inside of certain prisoner of war parameters, but is concurrently similar in overall ideology; the whole thing, like The Great Escape, falling apart in its final act as the shifts in tone perturb what sporadically enjoyable content preceded it, and a real sense of anguish and peril is suddenly inserted into proceedings.

The titular Harry Frigg is played by that of Paul Newman, Newman bringing a certain boyish charm to proceedings; a certain roguish charisma that sees him mean well, in spite of the circumstances, and yet is played with enough of what it is that makes certain higher-ups get as angry at him as they do. The performance is crucial to the proceedings, and Newman proves, if anything, that he is above such things by doing as well as he does. Frigg is a deserter, a guy wanting to avoid military service as best he can and attempts to do so by any means possible – a bid for freedom during an organised game of American Football the latest coup seeing him grab the ball in play and charge for an end-zone located somewhere up beyond those nearby trees on that slope and about a hundred miles away there on in. The authorities try in vain to stop him, the firing of live ammunition towards the guy not enough to force him into pulling up and if they were shooting to kill, you'd have thought their aim might be a bit better by now given how often it's established he's tried such stunts.

His involvement to proceedings becomes more prominent when, a world away in Tunisia on the African front of World War Two, a cluster of Generals of varying Allied nations are swiped by Axis powers and taken to an Italian castle to be held prisoner. These Generals are a stuffy bunch, a mixture of the predominant Allied forces involved in said war in the form of American, British and French nationalities. They cannot work together out of pride in their attempts to break free; thus, force those at Allied HQ to hit upon the idea of sending our Frigg into the war-zone so as to get captured and then, hopefully, tunnel each of them out given his expertise in escaping.

Following Frigg's deliberate capture, we are granted a tour of the facilities; the Italian guards reiterating how difficult it is to escape from such a place: the place being a large, elegant mansion of a few storeys with acres to spare and woodland in mostly all directions beyond the gates. Concept established, it is then revealed that there is a bit of an issue involving Frigg and those of a more distinct nature within the Army from time's past; specifically, his disgruntlement at never having been promoted beyond that of a lowly private and he abuses his faux-rank once in there to exploit the existing situations with the officials thus acting as a further source of mirth. Thrown into proceedings is that of the mansion's Countess and owner; a certain Francesca De Montefiore (Koscina) whom Harry comes to be quite fond of and thus, holds up the excavation process. The good Countess had a husband die in the war already, but the idea of being in a state of grieving appears to elude the girl, as she intermingles and comes to enjoy Frigg's company.

The film is total fluff from beginning to end; Frigg's constant clashes with that of the existing Generals cute in its premise but not entirely funny, while Frigg's shot at redemption in getting them all out of the place so as to prove his worth to the Army as a decent, stand-alone grunt gives way to wanting to stay there and woo Francesca as quickly as possible and is not engaging nor humorous enough to act as the crux of the thing keeping it afloat. An example of the film's flat, commonplace humour is evident during a sequence depicting an evening meal, in which each of the captured Generals speak of their favourite dishes and restaurants of around the world. We sit there, listening to extravagant meals at equally extravagantly sounding places, anticipating Frigg's answer; knowing he is not whom he claims to be and, as a result, cannot muster much of a chuckle when he reels off the best "bar 'n' grill" diner that he can think of located in his backwater town.

The film is somewhat crass in its apparent disneyfication of POW conditions without necessarily being terribly ugly; we don't dislike the lead and enjoy the idea the film carries that good teamwork, regardless of class, rank or background, wins out in the end; teamwork, as opposed to petty squabbling and not being able to get beyond one's ego or sense of 'self'. The film has no right to go to the harder, darker places it ventures toward come the final twenty minutes, while the idea of five guys wanting 'out' under the ill-gotten control of one guy with a grudge wanting to stay 'in' wears a little thin. Mostly unremarkable, and terribly paced at times, this is one concept comedy that barely gets out of the traps.

Fun Paul Newman movie few people have seen...

[Saracia · 10/10 · 12 May 2007]

This was a fun, light comedy with Paul Newman and a number of other familiar faces (Tom Bosley, James Gregory, Jacques Roux, etc).

Newman plays a private promoted to a 2-star general in order to rescue five 1-star generals who have been captured in WWII Italy. There is a haphazard love story that is nonetheless fairly sweet, and several entertaining one-liners that make the movie very enjoyable.

Some stereotypes are a bit heavy-handed, but it's all in good fun and not really offensive to anyone, except maybe Nazis. Too bad for them...

Probably my favourite movie, although not the best I have ever seen. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Fun War Comedy, Nothing More

[michaelarmer · 5/10 · 7 December 2019]

There are not many war comedies, obviously war is not humorous, but it makes for good movies even though it is a fantasy.

This is not a very good War Comedy, it's Ok but only average OK. It looks like a vehicle for Paul Newman, who is one of my favourite actors, that's why I watched it in the first place, the trouble with these 'vehicle' films is that usually no one takes them seriously, except maybe a supporting actor who has not yet had much of a career and wants to look good. The star who the 'vehicle' is for is already established so does not feel the need to make much effort, the director and other film staff know the score and are just going along with it as paid employees, even some of the supporting actors are not that bothered, as they all know no one is interested in them, just the star, and that is why I watched it also, so this is why they are only average movies, and this movie is no exception. The story is a good one and makes sense but is let down by an average screenplay, but it has a good ending.

Paul Newman does not seem to put much effort into his role, just acts a bit daft, most of the support go along with that, the love interest Sylva Koscina, does seem to make an effort, and is very pretty, but that is why she is there, so that is most of the role before she speaks, but she is still Ok. The one redeeming feature is that of the nationalities that are represented, most actors are from that country, which gives it some authenticity, and also the Germans and Italians when speaking to their own countrymen speak in their own language, again a good point, the film is reasonably well made, but missing some bits, maybe they needed to edit more out to get to the right length ?

I like Paul Newman, but this is not one of his better movies, only watch if you are a Paul Newman fan or you are attracted to Sylva Koscina, it's entertaining, but only just.

Lighthearted and funny wartime film starring Paul Newman and a fine supporting cast.

[bmlittle · 8/10 · 18 May 2001]

I was pleasantly surprised by this film and its similarities with television wartime sitcoms like "Hogan's Heroes" and "Mash". Paul Newman is funny and clever while playing a role that casts him as a underachieving army soldier who ends up being the only hope for several generals who were captured and held prisoners. The supporting cast does an admirable job as well. The film is rated "R" , for what reason I haven't a clue. The movie is tame by todays rating system and contains nothing harsh or unsuitable for younger family members. It is fun and entertaining as long as it is taken lightly.

An enjoyable, light comedy

[llltdesq · 8/10 · 10 October 2000]

I admit this is not the best thing Paul Newman has done. But it's an entertaining little comedy that is charming and quirky in its own special way. There are plenty of familiar faces, particularly if you watched lots of television in the '60's and '70's. A move that's a bit rough around the edges but still well worth watching on it's own merits.

This has been a secret too long!

[grendelkhan · 8/10 · 18 February 2007]

The Secret War of Harry Frigg should be shared with everyone. It's a delightful romp, set during WWII. A group of Allied generals have gone at got themselves captured. They find themselves in a pleasant Italian prison camp; a villa, commanded by a former hotelier, Vitto Scotti. The generals are of equal rank, so no one can seem to take command of their "escape" attempts; not that they are trying too hard. Enter Pvt. Harry Frigg.

Frigg, a chronic escaper, finds himself promoted above corporal, all the war to major general. He is tasked to lead the generals in an escape and bring them back. This sounds fine and dandy, until Frigg meets the one thing he can't escape, the Contessa. Add the Germans to the mix, and Frigg's plans become even more complicated.

Paul Newman is first rate here, showing a flair for comedy that he rarely seems to get a chance to display. He is backed up by a terrific cast of great character actors. The romance with the Contessa is quite charming, with the simple Frigg learning that true nobility comes from within, not from birth.

This is a wonderful overlooked gem that deserves to be seen. It's a lighthearted bit of fun, much like Hogan's Heroes, What Did You Do in the War Daddy, and Operation Petticoat. Definitely worth seeking out.

This is a fun movie

[yucel-64809 · 10/10 · 11 September 2015]

Kind of a Hogan's Heros without the most obvious low brow comedy.

Sylva Koscina is enchanting as the countess... Yummy eye candy in a movie full of men.

I'm looking forward to seeing it again, it's been many years.

Kind of a fun movie.

A fairly bloodless 'war' movie.

More of a comedy, somewhere between 'The Great Escape' and 'Hogan's Heros'.

Fun, goofy, and serious both...

The Italians are running the POW camp... instead of the Germans.. at the time the Italians are about to capitulate to the Allies during WWII.

Simply superb!

[ferrell-3 · 10/10 · 28 July 2001]

This movie changed my life!

I know this sounds like a melodramatic exaggeration, but it's true. The scene in which Harry is asked to name his favorite restaurant had happened to me in similar circumstances not six months before this movie was released in the theaters. I knew exactly how he felt. I am sure many of watching this movie might be able to relate to this. I determined, like Harry, to do something about it so that I wouldn't be embarrassed like that again. I couldn't afford to become an expert on "Chateau LaTour 1932", so I decided to become an expert on French onion soup. Sounds silly, and it was, but I was a young salesman and traveling all over the U.S., Canada, Mexico and parts of Europe. It wasn't too hard to collect names of restaurants from far flung places that had superior French onion soup. And I am amazed to this day how handy this pedantic info has come in at fancy-shmancy parties!

Other than this personal note, I still find the movie as fresh today as when I originally saw it. I have had the pleasure of introducing it to hundreds of new viewers over the years. Almost without exception it is adored by young and old alike.

There are all sorts of technical inaccuracies if you want to be picky. But this film is what movies were intended to be ... pure entertainment! I give it my highest recommendation.

Very Good Movie

[januszlvii · 9/10 · 6 August 2022]

The storyline of the movie is simple: Escape artist/malcontent private Harry Frigg ( Paul Newman) is made a Major General by Brigadier General Homer Prentiss ( James Gregory) in order to get other Generals to leave their Club Med type prison in an Italian villa. Of course there are two distractions that prevent Harry from completing the mission. One extremely nice the Countess ( played by the very beautiful. Sylva Koscina), the other extremely rotten: The Nazi' ( Major von Steignitz). Of course, the film being a comedy, Harry must win. Which means:,Get the girl, get the generals back to the war, and defeat the Nazi. But what happens in the movie is the character growth of Harry learning from the Countess ( who is actually an average woman who married into royalty ( her husband was killed)), the generals and.their "jailer" Col. Enrico Ferricci ( Vito Scotti), who except for Sylva Koscina ( for entirely different reasons) was the best one in the movie. The funny thing about Harry is he is not stupid and is actually very quick on his feet. When he first meets von Steignitz, who likes Bach, he actually gets him to laugh by saying "You will force me to do something I do not want to do." When von Steignitz asks what is that? Harry says "Listen to Bach." Spoilers ahead; After von Steignitz captures the Generals and Ferrucci ( who became a General but because Italy surrendered was also imprisoned ( but in an actual POW camp)), Harry admits he is not a General and was separated. Why? So he could sneak back in and complete his mission, and capture von Steignitz in the process. Steignitz asked Harry "Are you a Private or a General ?" Harry said "A little of both." He gained von Steignitz's respect: The film ends in Italy with Prentiss having Harry on his staff because Harry had a background in radio and the military needed a location for a radio network. They stopped by the Villa and Harry went to see the Countess and noticed that everything is boarded up she said "Times are rough" and after giving her kisses Harry thought of the perfect idea. Marry her and use the villa as the radio station and charge the military double rent. He said "Homer: I know where to put it. " He then introduced her to Prentiss as.the Contessa Francesca De Montegiore Frigg and was demonstrating with his hands about why the radio station should be there as the film ends. Obviously the next step would be a quick marriage and signing the papers to rent out the villa. Again a very good movie 9/10 stars.

Funny implausible plot, but that's the idea!!

[vf-felix · 8/10 · 12 February 2008]

If you want a good light-hearted laugh, this is it. Always looking for the angle, Harry Frigg is CON-MAN #1!!! Who else can be an imprisoned private and then demand to be made a general, and not just a one star either. Paul Newman's facial expressions really make the character come alive. I really liked two scenes in the movie. The first is when the real generals try to decide if he is legit or not and asks Andrew Duggan to join him in the chimney as he describes an incident involving "Ike" while at West Point. The second is when be BREAKS INTO the concentration camp at night, enters the barracks in a German uniform and utters his line with a thick German accent, "Cheese und crackers, something is r-r-rotten in here!!". The plots and sub-plots lead to a very funny film for any age to view.

I really liked this movie (some time ago)

[frichard · 10/10 · 21 August 2000]

I saw this movie when I was (maybe) 14 or so. At the time, it had a big impact on me, but I'm not sure why. In any case, I highly recommend it.

"Cheese und crackers, someone is missing!"

[Bernie4444 · 10/10 · 5 April 2024]

One of Paul Newman's best. Only Italy looks a little bit like Sierra Madre, California.

Allied generals are captured in Italy. Due to their being equal in rank (one-star general), they have a conflict in leadership resulting in their inability to escape. Songs are being made up about them.

To remedy this, a proven escape expert, Pvt. Harry Frigg (Paul Newman), is promoted to a two-star general and is permitted to be captured also. His mission is to help free the deadlock and help the other generals escape. Now Frigg is confronted with several problems including his ungeneralness, a sexy Italian countess (Sylvia Koscina), and the probability of having to listen to Bach.

Will he succeed?