The Great War

  • 1959
  • Not Rated
  • 137m
movieMx RATING
8.1/10363
VERDICT
SUPER HIT
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Performance & Direction: The Great War Review

Last updated: February 20, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 20, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Great War (1959) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 8.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Great War features a noteworthy lineup led by Vittorio Gassman . Supported by the likes of Alberto Sordi and Silvana Mangano , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: The lead actors exhibit a remarkable range, navigating the emotional peaks and valleys of their respective characters with a precision that makes every motivation feel earned.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The Great War (1959) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 8.1/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
Result: SUPER HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Great War stands as a SUPER HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: The Great War

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1959, The Great War is a Comedy, War, Drama film directed by Mario Monicelli. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Vittorio Gassman.

Ending Explained: The Great War

Ending Breakdown: Directed by Mario Monicelli, The Great War brings together its narrative threads in a way that feels both earned and emotionally resonant. The finale has been praised for its approach to comedy resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Vittorio Gassman, creating a memorable conclusion that audiences have responded to positively.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, leaving audiences satisfied.
  • Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes in a way that feels organic to the story.

The final moments of The Great War demonstrate careful narrative planning, resulting in a conclusion that enhances the overall experience.

The Great War Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?

The Great War uses real-world events as narrative inspiration. As a comedy, war, drama film directed by Mario Monicelli, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Vittorio Gassman's character.

Historical Context

The film balances historical fidelity with cinematic storytelling. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.

The production demonstrates respect for its source material, with attention to period detail and historical context.

Accuracy Assessment: The Great War successfully translates real events into compelling cinema. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.

Who Should Watch The Great War?

Highly Recommended For:

  • Fans of Comedy cinema looking for quality storytelling
  • Viewers who appreciate smart humor and well-timed comedic performances
  • Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
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Top Cast: The Great War

All Cast & Crew →
Vittorio Gassman
Vittorio GassmanGiovanni Busacca
Alberto Sordi
Alberto SordiOreste Jacovacci
Silvana Mangano
Silvana ManganoCostantina
Bernard Blier
Bernard BlierCapitano Castelli
Romolo Valli
Romolo ValliTenente Gallina
Vittorio Sanipoli
Vittorio SanipoliMaggiore Venturi
Mario Valdemarin
Mario ValdemarinSottotenente Lorenzi
Livio Lorenzon
Livio LorenzonSergente Barriferri
Tiberio Murgia
Tiberio MurgiaRosario Nicotra
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Where to Watch The Great War Online?

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The Great War Parents Guide & Age Rating

1959 Advisory
Not Rated

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Great War age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Great War has not been officially rated yet. Based on its genres (Comedy, War, Drama), it contains violence, action sequences.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Great War is 137 minutes (2h 17m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 8.1/10, and global performance metrics, The Great War is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1959 cinematic calendar.

SUPER HIT
Official movieMx status for The Great War. Rating: 8.1/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Great War worth watching?

The Great War is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 8.1/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Great War parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Great War identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Great War?

The total duration of The Great War is 137 minutes, which is approximately 2h 17m long.

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How The Great War Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Great War

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 8.1
The Great War
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/the-great-war-55823" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 8.1</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">The Great War</div></div></a>

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