IMDb RATING
6.0/10
2.4K
YOUR RATING
Set during World War I, this movie is a cute spin on the Mata Hari legend.Set during World War I, this movie is a cute spin on the Mata Hari legend.Set during World War I, this movie is a cute spin on the Mata Hari legend.
- Nominated for 3 Oscars
- 1 win & 7 nominations total
David Armstrong
- Squadron Pilot
- (uncredited)
Yves Barsacq
- French General
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaA very troubled production, this movie went way over budget and was a box-office flop when released. Writer, producer, and director Blake Edwards used the experience of making this movie as the inspiration for the script to S.O.B. (1981).
- GoofsIn several interior scenes, Rock Hudson's hair style and sideburns are drastically shorter than in the rest of the film. This seems to give credence to the rumors of studio interference and the necessity of re-shoots.
- Quotes
Lili Smith: But then, why DOES he drink?
Maj. William Larrabee: Because he's afraid to fly.
Lili Smith: Then why does he fly?
Maj. William Larrabee: Because he likes to drink!
- Crazy creditsThe Paramount Pictures logo does not appear in the beginning of the film, only at the end of the film.
- Alternate versionsTwo decades after its original release, director Blake Edwards re-cut the film for the TNT network, shortening it by 22 minutes and dramatically changing its tone. This so-called "director's cut" runs 114 minutes.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Entertainment This Week Salutes Paramount's 75th Anniversary (1987)
- SoundtracksLa Marseillaise
by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle
Special French Lyrics Translations by Danielle Mauroy and Michel Legrand
Featured review
Put it out on DVD, fer Chrissakes!
Blake Edwards and Julie Andrews' timing couldn't have been worse when this
film was released in 1970. Musicals were dead as a doornail, and only
Streisand was given the benefit of the doubt. Julie Andrews, a monstrously
talented, uniquely beautiful singing actress was finding that she was out of step with Hollywood who wanted grittier stories with nudity and violence. Thirty- some years later, we find this is a terrifically entertaining piece of film-making, which brings out all of Blake Edwards trade-mark gifts and lapses.
First of all, it's way too long. Secondly, the screenplay doesn't give you a real clue whether we're talking about a musical comedy or a war drama with Lily
confusing you about her secret life as a spy. Okay, deal with it. The movie is a wonderful brew of entertainment, nostalgia, sweet sentiment, and first-rate
musicality.
Like Doris Day a decade before her, Julie Andrews has one of the great screen figures. She's simply beautiful with her oddly spaced eyes and her slightly
comic nose. But those limbs are gorgeous, her skin is also a thing of wonder. Nobody does frosty British authority better than Julie, and her crystaline voice is a warm, pliant instrument with the clearest diction you'll ever encounter. She sings in a very modern way, but with plenty of old-fashioned vocal refinements such as portamento and legato. She's always been a game comedienne, and
she is a huge screen presence. She's first-rate here and would seldom be
allowed to shine as superbly again (Victor/Victoria aside).
Rock Hudson is clearly her equal. Still handsome, dashing, and convincing as Lily's American flying ace lover, Hudson exudes charisma and comic panache.
Again, he would never quite come up to this level in films again, and we would only be able to glimpse his excellent light comic skills on TV in the well-done mystery series, McMillan and Wife.
I love Mancini's score, and the supporting cast is everything you could wish for, especially Jeremy Kemp's lovable spy aid to Lily. Edward's displays his gift for wonderfully comic set pieces. It's a bit forced at times, but these are first-rate craftsmen working at the top of their game.
Why it has never appeared on VHS, laserdisc or DVD thus far is beyond me. I
know the failure of the movie at the box office soured Edwards and perhaps he is locked into a battle of wills with Universal determined to teach them a lesson by withholding his permission. Wishful thinking on my part perhaps, but it is odd that its never been been available in a home entertainment format. TV
showings don't help either because they have cut it to smithereens to fit various formats. The first time I saw it, I was totally confused. A few years later, I had warmed to it considerably and I think it was due to a more coherent cut.
film was released in 1970. Musicals were dead as a doornail, and only
Streisand was given the benefit of the doubt. Julie Andrews, a monstrously
talented, uniquely beautiful singing actress was finding that she was out of step with Hollywood who wanted grittier stories with nudity and violence. Thirty- some years later, we find this is a terrifically entertaining piece of film-making, which brings out all of Blake Edwards trade-mark gifts and lapses.
First of all, it's way too long. Secondly, the screenplay doesn't give you a real clue whether we're talking about a musical comedy or a war drama with Lily
confusing you about her secret life as a spy. Okay, deal with it. The movie is a wonderful brew of entertainment, nostalgia, sweet sentiment, and first-rate
musicality.
Like Doris Day a decade before her, Julie Andrews has one of the great screen figures. She's simply beautiful with her oddly spaced eyes and her slightly
comic nose. But those limbs are gorgeous, her skin is also a thing of wonder. Nobody does frosty British authority better than Julie, and her crystaline voice is a warm, pliant instrument with the clearest diction you'll ever encounter. She sings in a very modern way, but with plenty of old-fashioned vocal refinements such as portamento and legato. She's always been a game comedienne, and
she is a huge screen presence. She's first-rate here and would seldom be
allowed to shine as superbly again (Victor/Victoria aside).
Rock Hudson is clearly her equal. Still handsome, dashing, and convincing as Lily's American flying ace lover, Hudson exudes charisma and comic panache.
Again, he would never quite come up to this level in films again, and we would only be able to glimpse his excellent light comic skills on TV in the well-done mystery series, McMillan and Wife.
I love Mancini's score, and the supporting cast is everything you could wish for, especially Jeremy Kemp's lovable spy aid to Lily. Edward's displays his gift for wonderfully comic set pieces. It's a bit forced at times, but these are first-rate craftsmen working at the top of their game.
Why it has never appeared on VHS, laserdisc or DVD thus far is beyond me. I
know the failure of the movie at the box office soured Edwards and perhaps he is locked into a battle of wills with Universal determined to teach them a lesson by withholding his permission. Wishful thinking on my part perhaps, but it is odd that its never been been available in a home entertainment format. TV
showings don't help either because they have cut it to smithereens to fit various formats. The first time I saw it, I was totally confused. A few years later, I had warmed to it considerably and I think it was due to a more coherent cut.
helpful•178
- gregorybnyc
- May 8, 2004
- How long is Darling Lili?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Darling Lili: Or Where Were You the Night You Said You Shot Down Baron von Richtofen
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $25,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours 16 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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