The Best of Enemies
During World War II, a plane full of RAF fighter crashes in the Ethiopian desert and they are met upon by an enemy Italian patrol that allows them to go free. But, when the Brits are given orders to attack the Italians, lots of problems ensue.
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- Cast：
- David Niven , Alberto Sordi , Michael Wilding , Harry Andrews , Amedeo Nazzari , Aldo Giuffrè , David Opatoshu
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Reviews
You won't be disappointed!
Why so much hype?
Such a frustrating disappointment
Just what I expected
As far as I know The Best Of Enemies is the only film ever done about a forgotten part of World War II, the campaign in Ethiopia. The first nation to fall to Fascist aggression is ironically the first liberated by it. When Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa was captured by the British there was great rejoicing in the United Kingdom which at that point didn't have a lot to rejoice about. That incident is most important in the climax of the film.David Niven and Albert Sordi play beautifully off against each other as they take turns being each other's prisoners. Neither is a professional soldier and that's important as discipline from both armies kind of breaks down as the two try to get back to the war from the back outposts of the Ethiopian desert that both small companies are stuck in.I will say The Best Of Enemies does give credence that the Italians were not best of soldiers during World War II. Best scene in the film is when the native Ethiopians surround both and want the weapons they have and prove to be better strategists than either commander. The native chief gives out with a timely warning about taking your white man's war back to your own countries. The Best Of Enemies is a fine comedy with perfectly matched leads and even has some serious messages we should listen to.
This movie is an little known gem. The movie not only sparkles with Sordi's more slapstick humor and Niven's classic underplaying, it also masterfully captures the madness, humor and struggle of those engaged in combat. Niven and Sordi struggle to stay connected to their humanity in North African desert during a war where first one has the advantage and then the other does. If this were on DVD/VHS I would buy a copy.
This is one of my favorite movies. I've only seen it twice because it has been unavailable on tape, cd or dvd. I'm hoping that it is released for the public soon. I've been trying to get a copy for years.It pokes a little fun at the ineptitudes of the combatants, but it also shows that they were at war. It has an ending that enjoy very much.For those who haven't seen this movie, try it if you can get a copy, you'll get an hour and a half of excellent entertainment.
A war movie about the comedy of errors that occurs when blundering Italian and British combat units try to outwit each other in North Africa during WW II. Made with wit and humanity, it's a shame this fine picture never seemed to find the audience it deserved.
