War, Italian Style

War, Italian Style, released in 1965, is a war-comedy film from Italy directed by Luigi Scattini. The film is known for its comedic takes on war and its brilliant humour combined with a satirical view of military life. Co-written by Dino Verde and Amedeo Sollazzo, the movie features Franco Franchi, Ciccio Ingrassia, and Buster Keaton, one of the iconic figures of American silent comedy films. The film gained a significant place in the Italian comedy genre, which made a contrast with the general war movies of the time.

Franco Franchi and Ciccio Ingrassia, two prolific performers of Italian comedy, take on the roles of two inept Intelligence Service specialists in the film. Their antics and comedic foibles provide a steady flow of humour throughout the story, adding a light-hearted perspective to a setting usually associated with tension and dramatic intensity.

Franchi and Ingrassia use the farce to their advantage, showing brilliant timing and rapport as they bumble through misadventures and mistaken identities. The pair's unique comedic style, laden with slapstick and physical comedy, echoes the tradition of great Italian comedians such as Toto, adding an extra layer of charm to their performances.

The surprise inclusion of Buster Keaton in a prominent role further ups the comedic ante. Despite being towards the end of his career, Keaton, known as "The Great Stone Face," contributes a performance that is peppered with humoristic cues from his silent movie era. His interactions with Franchi and Ingrassia form some of the film's memorable moments, providing viewers with a generational blend of comedic styles.

In War, Italian Style, the overarching plot revolves around World War II. However, it is not your typical war film. The movie's narrative strays from the beaten path of action-packed battles, espionage, and political intrigue. Instead, the film brilliantly weaves the serious historical backdrop with comedic mishaps and absurd situations that lead to non-stop laughter.

The film's title itself is a play on words, hinting at the absurdity and chaos that is to unfold. While depicting the various aspects of military operations, War, Italian Style successfully merges its main theme of war with unexpected comedic moments and delightful satire. The result is a distinct take on war cinema that skillfully balances humor, action, and drama.

Despite the film being mostly comedic, it doesn't shy away from showing the realities and impacts of war. It blends the grim reality of conflict with humor, resulting in hilarious sequences and situations. As a result, it serves as an avant-garde approach to the portrayal of war, giving it a different perspective.

The film's cinematography, a signature of the 1960s cinema, adds to the overall experience. It uses the Black-and-White format to its full advantage, providing long shots of military landscapes and close-ups of the characters to express the narrative visually. The sound effects and background music, combined with timely comedic gags, complement the movie's overall tone.

War, Italian Style, for all its focus on humor, makes brilliant use of its war backdrop. The movie shines light on several facets of military operations undercover work, intelligence gathering, and privations of soldiers on the front. Despite its light-hearted approach, it never fails to portray the plight and confusion that come with war.

In conclusion, War, Italian Style is an attractive blend of adventure, comedy, and war film genres making it a unique piece in Italian cinematic history. In addition to its laugh-out-loud comedic trio of Franchi, Ingrassia, and Keaton, the film successfully adds a comedic twist to the otherwise serious and intense World War II era. It's a film that, despite being more than five decades old, still holds up today with its brilliant humor and satire. An enjoyable watch, especially for fans of Italian cinema and classic comedy.