The Secret War of Harry Frigg

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.

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

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.

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.

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.