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The Secret War of Harry Frigg

Play trailer Poster for The Secret War of Harry Frigg 1968 1h 50m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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40% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 45% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
The Army sends a wise-guy private (Paul Newman) to free five Allied generals from an Italian countess's (Sylva Koscina) villa.

Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker 07/14/2022
What is Paul Newman doing in The Secret War of Harry Frigg? Go to Full Review
Variety Staff Variety 06/17/2008
Strong story premise, excellent supporting cast and generally good dialog work to smooth over sometimes static direction and sluggish pacing. Go to Full Review
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 10/23/2004
1.5/4
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. Go to Full Review
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 07/29/2009
C
Paul Newman is miscast in this potentially funny farce, which doesn't live up to its gimmicky title. Go to Full Review
TV Guide 06/17/2008
2.5/4
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. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Blu B Dec 2 Paul Newman, a prison escape plot, WWII setting, this should all come together to make a hidden gem classic and at times it does. Most importantly the end it finally does. However it just can't keep anything consistent going. It feels like it alternates between being interesting, meandering, flat humor, and repeating. The editing is ok and everything else is half decent. Same with the direction. The setup is kind of clunky and rushed, the generals all blend in and really none of them stand out, the bad guys aree very forgettable. Once he arrives at the prison it feels like the planning, bonding, and romance is all very muddled. The romance especially really feels hammed in and are the most boring scenes. I swear the drag on the longest and are the ones I always lost interest in the most. It just doesn't fit in and should've been cut and focus squarely on the generals. Than the humor as this is a war comedy would've been great See more Steve D 09/02/2023 An absolute blast. Newman is great. See more 07/04/2020 Loved this movie. Paul Newman was great and a great supporting cast. Right down to Opie Cunningham's dad! See more 04/28/2017 I love this film. One of my favorites from Paul Newman. See more 03/15/2015 If you're a Paul Newman fan you would enjoy this funny,quirky, Shtick comedy. =) See more 04/05/2012 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. See more Read all reviews
The Secret War of Harry Frigg

My Rating

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Movie Info

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
Hal E. Chester
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