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Julie Andrews, Rock Hudson, Jeremy Kemp, Lance Percival, Mike Witney ... see more see more... , Jacques Marin , Andre Maranne , Gloria Paul , Bernard Kay , Doreen Keogh , Carl Duering , Vernon Dobtcheff , Ingo Mogendorf , James Lanphier , Niall MacGinnis , Laurie Main , Louis Mercier

Julie Andrews made a bid to change her squeaky clean image with this elaborately mounted World War I musical. Lili Smith (Andrews) is a popular British music hall singer who is regarded as a femme fat... read more read more...ale and has been known to throw a bit of striptease into her act. However, Lili has a secret: she's actually a German spy, and the uncle she dotes upon is really Von Ruger (Jeremy Kemp), a fellow espionage agent and her contact for the Huns. In hopes of gaining valuable information, Lili begins using her feminine wiles on Maj. William Larrabee (Rock Hudson), a top American pilot. However, Lili soon discovers that she's falling in love with Larrabee and can't find the courage to betray him; Larrabee discovers Lili's secret, but he refuses to turn her in. Darling Lili was a notorious box-office disappointment, grossing a mere $5 million on a budget that rose to $25 million due to a variety of production mishaps. Director Blake Edwards (Andrews' husband) was stung by the poor reception, and he later trimmed the 136-minute film to 114 minutes, downplaying its comic elements in favor of a more serious tone. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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68% liked it

1,772 ratings

G, 2 hr. 10 min.

Directed by: Blake Edwards

Release Date: June 18, 1970

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DVD Release Date: October 25, 2005

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Stats: 72 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (72)

  • jjnxn
    March 12, 2010
    jjnxn
    Colorful musical that is deficient in the script department, exactly why Julie is a spy is never really apparent and it really hurts the film. That being said the production design is beautiful as are some of Julie's costumes, it all seems overproduced and underdirected though. R... read moreock has been better elsewhere although that also is probably the fault of the script. Really a three star film the extra star is for Julie and her voice which is exquisite and put to use on some lovely songs.
  • jjb3332003
    August 12, 2011
    jjb3332003
    A cutesy musical obviously based on Mata Hari. Hudson and Andrews were good together and Edwards keeps it from being farcical with just enough of a serious undertone.
  • lizzi08
    December 28, 2008
    lizzi08
    This movie was nothing too fabulous which really disappointed me. I love Julie Andrews but this film lacked the things to make it great. Interesting love story though and an odd take on a pseudo-Mata Hari conspiracy.
  • taragriffith
    December 23, 2006
    taragriffith
    Watching Julie Andrews say things and do things that you wouldn't picture her doing...is pretty cool!

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Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz
February 6, 2008
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

It seems to be not that bad if you view it more as a love story than as a war story. Full Review

Christopher Null
October 16, 2005
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

if you thought The Sound of Music was hokey, wait'll you get a load of this Full Review

Dave Kehr
February 11, 2006
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Vincent Canby
February 11, 2006
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

June 24, 2006
Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

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Darling Lili Trivia

  • Which of these Julie Andrews movies took place during World War 1?  Answer »
  • Who sings the Oscar-nominated song "Whistling Away the Dark" in DARLING LILI?  Answer »
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