This comedic scene from 'What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?' (1966) directed by Blake Edwards illustrates the absurdity of war through a strategic Italian village that surrenders to the Allies but cleverly negotiates to hold a celebratory festival first, demonstrating how comedy can use the paradox of surrender to critique military conflicts and highlight the absurdity of war's logic.
Deep Dive
Prerequisite Knowledge
- No data available.
Where to go next
- No data available.
Deep Dive
WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE WAR, DADDY? (1966) | Will You Surrender? | Amazon MGMAdded:
[cheering] [cheering] [cheering] >> Captain Faust Oppo at your service.
Do you surrender? What the hell do you mean surrender? Do not get excited, Captain. I was merely asking. We'd rather die than surrender.
>> Really? Oh, ridiculous. So, ask me to surrender.
Well, will you surrender? BUT OF COURSE.
>> [cheering] >> YOU UH EXCUSE ME.
EXCUSE ME.
YOU REALLY SURRENDER? But of course, but please, Captain, let us savor this moment. After all, war is poetry.
Battle, a dark-eyed woman, and the moment of surrender.
Listen, we have a song for you. WE HAVE BEEN EXPECTING YOU FOR WEEKS.
>> LISTEN, YOU MUST LISTEN. YES, CAPTAIN, PLEASE. Uh my children, Bronty, See?
Uno, DUE, TRE.
THE EYES OF TEXAS >> [cheering] >> ARE UPON YOU.
THE EYES OF TEXAS ARE UPON YOU.
>> [cheering] >> STRAIGHTEN UP.
>> [cheering] >> CAPTAIN, YOU DON'T LIKE THIS.
NO, I I No, the song is fine.
>> Ah.
You You are in command.
>> [laughter] >> Well, this is my village and these are my children.
We uh Yes, excuse me.
>> [laughter] >> We fully really really appreciate the song. Thank you. Yes, but if you'll just round up your men, we'll move out.
NO, NO, NO, NO, NO. OUT YOU GO. YES, IMMEDIATELY. NO, NO, NO. It's impossible.
He said impossible.
>> I know what he said, Christian. It's impossible.
>> That's what he said, impossible. Then we agree. Why are we arguing?
BECAUSE YOU YOU HAVE YOU HAVE ALREADY SURRENDERED, YOU KNOW. You don't want us to surrender?
Of course of course I do. I want you Well, I surrender. Then move move THEM OUT. EVERYBODY NO, I TOLD YOU IT'S IMPOSSIBLE, CAPTAIN. CAPTAIN, he's trying to tell us Christian.
Will you KEEP OUT OF THIS?
CAPTAIN OPPO.
YOU YOU HAVE SURRENDERED, HUH? YES, I thought I made that clear.
>> Yes, very good. Now, we're we're making definite progress. Now, you know, if you have surrendered, it means that I I am in command, huh? But of course, we have agreed, Captain. Splendid.
[laughter] Now, if I am in charge, I command you, Captain Oppo, to move your men out.
Captain, it's impossible. First, there is a matter of the festival. There's the the festival. Yes, tonight. There will be drinking. There will be singing.
There will be dancing on the streets.
THE FESTIVAL. CAN I DENY my men? Can I deny my men? I cannot deny my men. I cannot withhold from them such bliss.
Therefore, we surrender tomorrow. No, no, no, no, no. YOU HAVE ALREADY SURRENDERED NOW.
>> TECHNICALLY, YES. WELL, THEN move your men out. But tomorrow, Captain.
TOMORROW. WHAT'S THE MATTER? TOMORROW.
DAMN IT. MOVE YOUR MEN OUT NOW. YOU ARE SHOUTING. TECHNICALLY, YES. YOU ARE NOT VERY STRANGE. I AM VERY STRANGE. YES. I AM VERY VERY STRANGE. YOU ARE VERY STRANGE. WE ARE WAR. HEY, WHAT IS WAR, CAPTAIN?
PLEASE, I YOU, WHAT IS WAR? The the survival of the loudest. MOVE YOUR MEN.
YOU YOU ARE NOT IMPOSSIBLE, CAPTAIN. YOU ARE NOT IMPOSSIBLE.
CAPTAIN, CAPTAIN, I DIDN'T GET YOUR NAME. Captain Cash, Captain Lionel Cash.
Cash?
Captain Cash?
Yes.
Bravo!
>> [cheering]
Related Videos
Fouchon is Defeated | Hard Target
ActionPicks
4K views•2026-05-28
It Takes Two 💞
barefootandindependent
1K views•2026-05-31
Supply and demand, my friend. #movie #edit #shorts
gaskinpenton
11K views•2026-05-28
Dark Shadows | Victoria Arrives at Collinwood to Apply as a Governess
EthanVortex-u2x
318 views•2026-05-28
🎬 Across the Line (2000) 4K | Brad Johnson Neo-Western Thriller 🔥 | Crime & Border Justice
BabelWestern
734 views•2026-05-30
An Anime For Every Letter In LGBTQIA
KrisPNatz
2K views•2026-05-31
Mark Kermode reviews Tuner
kermodeandmayostake
2K views•2026-05-28
Once Upon A Time In The West (1968) - 20 Hidden Facts Nobody Knows
AmazingMovieRewind
111 views•2026-05-28











