The Secret War of Harry Frigg

Name: The Secret War of Harry Frigg
Genre: Comedy
Released: 2009-01-08T06:21:35-08:00

1968

The Secret War of Harry Frigg

Critics Consensus

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TOMATOMETER

Total Count: N/A

48%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 107

The Secret War of Harry Frigg Photos

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Movie Info

This World War II comedy finds Harry Frigg (Paul Newman) as the unwilling volunteer slated to rescue five generals from the clutches of the Germans and Italians. Frigg would rather spend his time goofing off than fighting the war, but his superiors make him a fake general and pack him off to retrieve the top brass. He has a romantic interest in the Countess (Sylva Koscina), an Italian beauty who helps Harry locate the missing officers. Tom Bosley, Andrew Duggan, Charles D. Gray, Jacques Roux and John Williams are the five generals who carry most of the comedy. Normal Fell and Buck Henry excel in small roles as well. General Prentiss (James Gregory) is the brains behind the plan that finds the frustrated Frigg rise to the occasion when he reluctantly accepts his assignment.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Comedy
Directed By:

Jack Smight
Written By:

Peter Stone, Frank Tarloff
In Theaters:

Feb 29, 1968 wide
Runtime:

123 minutes
Studio:

Universal

Cast

Paul Newman
as Harry Frigg

Sylva Koscina
as Countess Di Montefiore

Andrew Duggan
as Gen. Armstrong

Tom Bosley
as Gen. Pennypacker

John Williams (II)
as Gen. Mayhew

Charles Gray
as Gen. Cox-Roberts

Vito Scotti
as Col. Ferrucci

Jacques Roux
as Gen Rochambeau

Werner Peters
as Maj. Von Steignitz

James Gregory
as Gen. Homer Prentiss

Fabrizio Mioni
as Lt. Rossano

Johnny Haymer
as Sgt. Pozzallo

Norman Fell
as Capt. Stanley

Buck Henry
as Stockade Commandant

Horst Ebersberg
as Lt. Gruber

Richard X. Slattery
as MP Sergeant

George Ives
as Major

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Critic Reviews for The Secret War of Harry Frigg

All Critics (4) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (2) | Rotten (2)

Strong story premise, excellent supporting cast and generally good dialog work to smooth over sometimes static direction and sluggish pacing.

Jun 17, 2008 | Full Review…

Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic
I've seen lousy movies before, but never one that seemed ashamed of itself. At times the actors seem to be in pain, and the movie itself is down-at-the-mouth and desperately boring.

Oct 23, 2004 | Rating: 1.5/4 | Full Review…

Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic
Paul Newman is miscast in this potentially funny farce, which doesn't live up to its gimmicky title.

Jul 29, 2009 | Rating: C | Full Review…

Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Although Newman's performance here is unquestionably of the hit-and-miss variety, he does manage to generate more than a few laughs with his glib delivery of some very funny lines.

Jun 17, 2008 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

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