The Best of Enemies

"Meet the craziest pair of soldiers ever to play at war! - they're both prisoners - but who captured whom?"

Aug 6 1962 Approved 1h 44m
Adventure, Comedy, War

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.

Plot

In 1941 the Italian and British forces face one another.Italian army Captain Blasi and his troops capture a British army Major Richardson and his pilot when their scout plane crashes. The Italians allow the two British prisoners to escape. A desperate Captain Blasi decides to allow Major Richardson escape in return for Richardson's word that he will try and persuade his superiors to allow Captain Blasi and his Italian unit retreat without any difficulties or further harassment. O his return the British major is assigned to take his squadron and attack the fort his captors were retreating to. the British Major with a superior British unit takes Captain Blasi and his men prisoner but they slip away. the British abandon their vehicles to give chase on foot and the Native troops with the Italians slip back and burn the vehicles. the fire results in both the British and Italian troops seeking refuge on an island in the middle of a lake. The Italians surrender to the British so they will get taken care of.

Written by

Suso Cecchi D'Amico, Agenore Incrocci, Jack Pulman

Directed by

Guy Hamilton

Production Countries

Italy, United Kingdom

Production Companies

Dino de Laurentiis Cinematografica

Languages

English

Awards

Nominated for 2 BAFTA 1 win & 6 nominations total

Scores
# of Votes
800
Average Rating
6.7 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA