In 1943, when 5 captured Allied one-star generals cannot agree on an escape plan, the HQ promotes an escape-savvy private to 2-star general and sends him to coordinate the captive VIPs.
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Title: The Secret War of Harry Frigg (1968)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Paul Newman | ... | Harry Frigg | |
| Sylva Koscina | ... | Countess Francesca Di Montefiore | |
| Andrew Duggan | ... | General Armstrong | |
| Tom Bosley | ... | General Pennypacker | |
| John Williams | ... | General Mayhew | |
| Charles Gray | ... | General Cox-Roberts | |
| Vito Scotti | ... | Colonel Ferrucci | |
 |
Jacques Roux | ... | General Rochambeau |
| Werner Peters | ... | Major von Steignitz | |
| James Gregory | ... | General Prentiss | |
| Fabrizio Mioni | ... | Lt. Rossano | |
| Johnny Haymer | ... | Sgt. Pozzallo | |
| Norman Fell | ... | Captain Stanley | |
| Buck Henry | ... | Stockade Commandant | |
| Horst Ebersberg | ... | Lt. Gruber | |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
When 5 allied generals are captured in Italy in WW II, it is a propaganda nightmare for the Allies. The generals are all 1 star and refuse to take orders from each other in order to plan an escape. Harry Frigg is a private who has escaped from the guard house dozens of times. He is promoted to Major General (2 stars) and ordered to get the generals out once he is captured. Harry is willing to escape, but then he meets the countess ... Written by John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>
Plot Keywords:
prisoner of war | year 1943 | tunisia | turkish bath | playing football |Taglines:
It's not who you con. It's how you do it. See more »Parents Guide:
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A Brigadier is above a colonel and below a Major General, but British regulations do not consider it a General rank. Rather it's Field Grade, like high colonel.
After NATO was formed, a table standardization made the Brigadier equal to Brigadier General to eliminate confusion.
In 1943, out of Courtesy, American and French officers would treat them as One-Star rank, but in terms of determining command seniority, they would be junior to their American and French counterparts.
If nothing else, the British would never refer to themselves as Brigadier Generals. See more »
Capt. Stanley: How do you know? It's never been done.
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Did You Know?
Trivia
This was known as "Meanwhile, Far From the Front" when first announced in 1967. See more »Goofs
The British Army and Royal Marines eliminated the rank of Brigadier General in 1921. In 1943, as today, the British Army has the rank of Brigadier.A Brigadier is above a colonel and below a Major General, but British regulations do not consider it a General rank. Rather it's Field Grade, like high colonel.
After NATO was formed, a table standardization made the Brigadier equal to Brigadier General to eliminate confusion.
In 1943, out of Courtesy, American and French officers would treat them as One-Star rank, but in terms of determining command seniority, they would be junior to their American and French counterparts.
If nothing else, the British would never refer to themselves as Brigadier Generals. See more »
Quotes
Gen. Homer Prentiss: General, you can't pin stars on a Private.Capt. Stanley: How do you know? It's never been done.
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Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
29 February 1968 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Meanwhile, Far from the Front See more »Filming Locations:
Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA See more »Company Credits
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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