ArtVandelayImporterExporter Review of The Night of the Generals

The Night of the Generals (1967)

Night of the Gerbils would have been more suspenseful

[4/10 · 25 June 2018]

This film fails on almost every level: uninspired direction; banal dialogue; weak murder mystery; a 60s sitcom soundtrack, and self-conscious acting that includes what must surely be Peter O'Toole's worst performance. I started fast-forwarding about 45 minutes into this mess. It was clear by then that nobody actually cares about the murder. As a result I also realized I didn't care about the suspected generals or investigator Sharif. It becomes obvious even the director or producer didn't care about the original murder investigation when, halfway through the movie, the Hitler assassination plot is hatched. The whole thing is as tawdry and cheap as O'Toole's character trolling for hookers in cheap Paris boozers. Special shout-out for Tom Courtenay, who must be the most bland, forgettable British actor of his generation. My gawd he's boring on every level, whether he's making out (unconvincingly) with a good-looking woman, wearing a German army outfit, or trying to look conflicted about whatever it is he needs to do next.