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.

My father fought in the desert against the Italians whom he considered to be ..."not very warlike - fortunately".Not very motivated,not particularly interested in killing and even less interested in dying for a few hundred square miles of sand,he passionately shared their philosophy of non - confrontation.Only when the respective High Commands demanded a "push forward" did the two opposing armies fire a few desultory shells in vaguely the right direction.This kind of situation cannot be allowed to exist in war and overnight,quite out of the blue,the Italians folded up their tents and disappeared to be replaced by the far less sanguine Germans,including,my father believed,a Punishment Battalion who,driven forward by threats of execution,flooded into the British Lines two nights later and were wiped out.Taking this to indicate that the Germans meant business,all thoughts of peaceful co - existence were swept from his mind,but he retained a rueful affection for the reluctant Italian soldiery,sure that the concept of a Punishment Battalion would be alien to their very nature. Watching "The Best of Enemies" merely serves to vindicate his belief. Civilised Italian Officer (Mr A.Sordi) goes mano a mano with civilised British Officer (Mr D.Niven)in a theatre of war neither of them feel particularly committed to.Not eager to inflict further casualties on each other's men they seek for a satisfactory "laissez - faire" solution rather than wipe each other out. As might be expected from intelligent,well-educated, sophisticated European men,they find a mutual rapprochement,even a mutual affection that traverses nationalistic concerns. Mr Niven fits into his role like a man slipping on a beautifully-made riding boot,displaying the ruling-class's noblesse oblige.Here is a man who wouldn't dream of being rude or arrogant towards his men,but woe betide any officer who screws up. Signor Sordi,with the confidence of a thousand years of civilisation behind him,heir to the proud Roman tradition,but pragmatic enough to realise the "bigger picture" Released with very little razzamatazz in 1962,"The Best of Enemies" is a gentle,amusing look at a situation that is neither gentle nor amusing in itself.Pleasingly old-fashioned in its submission that honour and chivalry can still prevail and make even the most trying conditions ju st a little more tolerable,it gives Mr Niven one of his best later roles one,I suspect,he would prefer to be remembered for rather than the anodyne "Pink Panther".

During this african war of 1941, Alberto Sordi (italian captain) fights against David Niven (British major). This comedy is for fraternity and against stupid wars like many... The script is good. Sordi is excelent as usual but his opponent Niven is a sub-category actor. With a better british actor, I'll give 9. My vote: 8

This movie is one of my favorites. Niven is hilarious as is Sordi. They play off each other beautifully and the script is a laugher from beginning to end. Sordi's wide-eyed expressions and expressive Italian style complimented Niven's traditional Brit, "Jolly ho, Old Pip!" making a wonderful film. The soccer game between the Italians and Brits using a round Ethiopian basket is a classic scene. I love this film, have seen it at least a dozen times and will see it again every chance I get. Hey, join in and see it too. You will not be disappointed.