The Secret War of Harry Frigg

Released Feb 29, 1968

1h 50m

Comedy

List

40%

5 Reviews

Tomatometer

46%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

The Army sends a wise-guy private (Paul Newman) to free five Allied generals from an Italian countess's (Sylva Koscina) villa.

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Steve D

An absolute blast. Newman is great.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/02/23

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Audience Member

Loved this movie. Paul Newman was great and a great supporting cast. Right down to Opie Cunningham's dad!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

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Audience Member

I love this film. One of my favorites from Paul Newman.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

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Audience Member

If you're a Paul Newman fan you would enjoy this funny,quirky, Shtick comedy. =)

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

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Audience Member

I really liked this light hearted war film. It's a pretty basic story line but one that works rather well. I don't think even one person gets killed, which is rather unusual but kinda sets the tone. There are no messages about the horror or senselessness of war, it's not even an anti war film. In the same vain as Kelly's Heroes then I suppose but more family orientated.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

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Audience Member

I think a lot of 'respectable' critics shit on this movie too heavily. Because of that I was excepting the worse. Don't believe the bad press. Their self righteous asses don't know what the fuck their talking about. The Secret War of Harry Figg makes for great low demand Sunday afternoon viewing especially if you're a fan (& completest) of Paul Newman plus a very likable cast that includes the likes of Tom Bosley & Charles Gray. Yes it's all highly improbable but this is supposed to be a light comedy so don't take it so goddamn seriously. I think that it's very sly & likeable making a rather long running time skip along. Sure it's not a classic in any sense of the word but that doesn't mean it's not enjoyable. Get the fuck over yourselves & watch it w/ some beer & popcorn

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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Jack Smight

Director

Paul Newman

Pvt. Harry Frigg

Sylva Koscina

Countess Francesca De Montefiore

Tom Bosley

Gen. Roscoe Pennypacker

Andrew Duggan

Gen. Newton Armstrong

John Williams

Gen. Francis Mayhew

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Pauline Kael

New Yorker

What is Paul Newman doing in The Secret War of Harry Frigg?

Jul 14, 2022

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Variety Staff

Variety

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

Jun 17, 2008

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

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.

Rated: 1.5/4

Oct 23, 2004

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Paul Newman is miscast in this potentially funny farce, which doesn't live up to its gimmicky title.

Rated: C

Jul 29, 2009

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TV Guide

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.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 17, 2008

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Synopsis

The Army sends a wise-guy private (Paul Newman) to free five Allied generals from an Italian countess's (Sylva Koscina) villa.

Director: Jack Smight
Producer: Leo L. Fuchs
Screenwriter: Peter Stone, Frank Tarloff
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Albion Film Corp.
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 29, 1968, Original
Runtime: 1h 50m