WWII Comedy Films...
WWII related films with comedy and/or humour; in no particular order after 11…
[Thanks for the comment, Kelcey; I did not know that…?]
[Thanks for the comment, Kelcey; I did not know that…?]
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- DirectorTadeusz ChmielewskiStarsMarian KociniakJanina BoronskaAdam CyprianThe adventures of unlucky Polish soldier Franek Dolas during world war II. In September he escapes from Stalag and goes to France. After that he fights in Africa and Europe.Polish, comedic epic masterpiece that [arguably spanning nearly every genre of comedy] follows a Polish soldier across a great portion of the European and North African theatres of war; highly recommended for brilliantly delivered comedic content and original narrative! [available on NF, in three parts, as of 02/13]
- DirectorGabriele SalvatoresStarsDiego AbatantuonoClaudio BigagliGiuseppe CedernaIn WW2, an Italian Army unit of misfits occupies an isolated non-strategic Greek island for the duration of the war.Italian comedy on greek isle that has its dramatic and romantic moments infused with light, comedic moments; while light on action, it is highly recommended for its rich narrative and beautiful location! [somewhat difficult to find; no longer available on NF as of 02/13]
- DirectorAleksandr RogozhkinStarsAnni-Kristiina JuusoVille HaapasaloViktor BychkovIn World War II, a Finnish sniper is left chained to a rock by German soldiers, while a captain of the Red Army, en route to his court martial, is almost blown up by Russian planes. A Lapp woman gives shelter to both of them at her farm.A richly dramatic and romantic film infused with humorous moments, light on action, but beautiful production; very highly recommended! [available on BB as of 03/13; no longer available on NF as of 02/13]
- DirectorShôhei ImamuraStarsAkira EmotoKumiko AsôJacques GamblinAt the end of WWII, Japanese doctor Akagi searches for the cure for hepatitis in the prisoner-of-war camp.Heartwarming Japanese drama with comedic moments and good production values, about a doctor's wartime search for hepatitis cure [available on BB as of 03/13; no longer available on NF as of 02/13]
- DirectorRobert DayStarsTerry-ThomasGeorge SandersLionel JeffriesLegend has it that if the famous Barbary Apes leave the Rock of Gibraltar, it's a sign that the British will lose control of it. During World War II, a British officer is put in charge of the apes. When he detects that the animals' morale is slipping, he hatches a plan to go behind the German lines to "kidnap" a new ape for his charges to lift their spirits before the Germans find out about their condition and use it as propaganda.Nearly impossible to find, but well worth the effort if you do...
- DirectorBlake EdwardsStarsCary GrantTony CurtisJoan O'BrienDuring World War II, a commander finds himself stuck with a decrepit (and pink) submarine, a con man executive officer, and a group of army nurses.Great cast and script in light action film woven with comedy and romance; highly recommended. TV series spinoff in Operation Petticoat (1977).
- DirectorGérard OuryStarsBourvilLouis de FunèsClaudio BrookSeveral ordinary Frenchmen go on an epic voyage through the occupied country to the free zone as they help British pilots avoid German captivity.Hilarious French-British comedic romp of RAF crew shot down over France and attempting to reach friendly lines; all comedy! [slightly more difficult to find with English subtitles for French and German speech; available on Amzn]
- DirectorBrian G. HuttonStarsClint EastwoodTelly SavalasDon RicklesA group of U.S. soldiers sneaks across enemy lines in WWII France to get their hands on a secret stash of Nazi treasure.Originally intended as an antiwar film, 'KH' views as a heist film heavy on action & adventure, but with great, if not light, comedic moments... [sadly, currently available VHS/DVD appear to be heavily cut/edited; original, opening theatrical (roadshow?) cut may be impossible to find]
No WWII genre film beckons an extended/director's-type cut/release more than this film, IMO [if it's even possible?]; particularly, timely for the upcoming 75th anniversary of the end of the war [coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the film (2020)]...
With the passing of Master Director Brian Hutton [2014; RIP...], the much anticipated director's cut will never be...
If Hutton and Eastwood could have had their original release without the studio demanded cuts/edits, this would likely be No. 1 on the list... - DirectorLeonid BykovStarsLeonid BykovSergey PodgornyySergei IvanovDuring World War II, a Soviet veteran pilot teaches newcomers that war is transient, and music is eternal.Dramatic action film, with comedic moments, following lives of Russian wartime pilots. [available on Amzn as of 02/13]
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsJohn BelushiDan AykroydTreat WilliamsHysterical Californians prepare for a Japanese invasion in the days after Pearl Harbor.Christopher Lee, Toshiro Mifune, John Belushi, John Candy, & Slim Pickens!!!, all sharing the screen [particularly Lee, Mifune, Pickens, & Belushi all on the same sub!!!] in a comedic, action romp with moments of romance and drama; largely panned by critics [and sadly, to some extent, by its own director], but with growing cult followings worldwide.
'Jak rozpetalem druga wojne swiatowa' [at the top of this list] is epic in its ambitious approach to its narrative, while '1941' was epic in most every other way [production, cast, etc.]...but its nothing that a smart director's cut couldn't address...
Highly recommended! [impossible to find a good un-cropped, non-laserdisc, print; BluRay someday? If there readily existed a better print, this would easily rate higher...paging Mr. Spielberg!] - DirectorRichard LesterStarsMichael CrawfordJohn LennonRoy KinnearAn inept British World War II commander leads his troops through a series of misadventures in North Africa and Europe.War narrative with British humor/slapstick makes for a challenging, but greatly rewarding/entertaining film. Marked by biting satire, brilliant performances, & excellent cinematography [shot in Andalucia, Spain], it's likely to be a unique film viewing experience without the gritty/gory realism of modern day war genre films, but no less poignant.
An oft maligned film that may have the unique distinction of being both an 'Anti-war Film' film & an 'Anti-war' film, and unfolds in an unconventional plot structure formed by a series of narrated episodes/vignettes that are franticly-paced, dark, stirring, & above all surrealistic. [available on NF instant as of 02/13]
Recommended for the WWII comedy genre fan and fans of "Catch-22", "Closely Watched Trains", "Life is Beautiful", "Devils on the Doorstep", "The Secret of Santa Vittoria", "Dr. Akagi", etc. - DirectorJohn B. HobbsStarsGorden KayeCarmen SilveraKenneth ConnorWhilst celebrating her birthday, Edith and René reminisce about their adventures during World War II.This is actually an extended episode/special from the end of British comedy series depicting some highlights from its nine-year run; viewing the developing narrative over the entire series from the beginning is recommended over watching this episodic synopsis that inappropriately places the brilliant genius of its humour out of context.
This entire series [1–9] is highly recommended, with series three [the POW camp, etc] likely delivering its best... - DirectorGottfried ReinhardtStarsAlec GuinnessMike ConnorsRobert RedfordDuring World War II, a lonely German air-raid warden captures two downed American airmen and keeps them prisoner in his basement way past the end of the war.Another nearly impossible to find film, but well worth the effort if you do...
- DirectorRoberto BenigniStarsRoberto BenigniNicoletta BraschiGiorgio CantariniWhen an open-minded Jewish waiter and his son become victims of the Holocaust, he uses a perfect mixture of will, humor and imagination to protect his son from the dangers around their camp.Hauntingly beautiful and dramatic, if not tragic, comedy of the Holocaust in Italy; Roberto Benigni at his finest...
- DirectorJirí MenzelStarsVáclav NeckárJosef SomrVlastimil BrodskýAn apprentice train dispatcher looks for love while aiding his colleagues in their resistance against the Nazis.A unique narrative for the WWII comedy genre with a brilliant blend of light comedic, and dramatically poignant moments...highly recommended!
- DirectorWen JiangStarsWen JiangKenya SawadaHongbo JiangVillagers in World War II China are unsure what to do with the two enemy prisoners who have been left in their care.Riveting dramedy...highly recommended!
- DirectorAlbert S. RogellStarsEdmond O'BrienWanda HendrixRudy ValleeEx-WAVE encounters four fun-loving, work-hating men, all of whom want to marry her.
- DirectorMárton KeletiStarsTamás MajorImre SinkovitsIván DarvasDuring World War II, PFC Molnár decides his military service is over, and with a serious amount of money hidden in hand grenades, he heads to an abandoned mansion where he encounters not only the sour butler but a bunch of others who are also trying to wimp out on their duties.
- DirectorsSiu-Tung ChingHark TsuiStarsTony Ka Fai LeungJacky CheungDean ShekIn WW2 Japanese-occupied Manchuria, a group of Chinese nationalists sets out to destroy a Japanese poison gas factory against a Japanese military officer and his girlfriend, who has built up a false public image as a Chinese glamour girl.
- DirectorBlake EdwardsStarsJames CoburnDick ShawnSergio FantoniIn World War II, a strategic Italian village agrees to surrender to the Allies only if it's allowed to organize a celebratory festival while giving aerial reconnaissance the false impression of fierce ground fighting.A very light, comedic film infused with some action and romance; once difficult to find, but now readily available...highly recommended!
- DirectorRalph ThomasStarsDavid NivenGlynis JohnsGeorge CoulourisDuring WW2, British Major Valentine Moreland is tasked with rescuing a prized pedigree cow from the German-occupied Channel Island of Armorel.AKA "Appointment with Venus"; the first of at least four [five & six if you want count the hilarious bull run of "Jak rozpetalem druga wojne swiatowa" (1970), and the bull chase in 'Dad's Army' (2016)!] WWII comedies about a bovine:
"La vache et le prisonnier" [1959]
"Venus fra Vestø" [1962]
"Cow" [2009] - DirectorRalph NelsonStarsCary GrantLeslie CaronTrevor HowardDuring World War II, a man persuaded to live on an isolated island and spot aircraft finds himself responsible for a teacher and several students, all female.Cary Grant classic...
- DirectorJohn HendersonStarsKenneth CranhamLeo BillDerek JacobiComedy drama based on the true story of two British Army dentists who in 1942, eager to see action, go A.W.O.L. and invade occupied France on their own.Dental Corps goes to war in a modern day "Invasion Quartet", but built for two... highly recommended!
Also consider, All the Queen's Men (2001). - DirectorJean-Marie PoiréStarsChristian ClavierMichel GalabruRoland GiraudBourdelle, a family of musicians, refuse to play for Germans during the war. They would like to liberate France using all possible means.
- DirectorMike NicholsStarsAlan ArkinMartin BalsamRichard BenjaminA military pilot makes a valiant effort to be certified insane during World War II so that he can be excused from flying missions. But there's a catch.A richly dramatic and dark comedy on the ludicrousness of war...[available on NF as of 02/13]
