It stars Julie Andrews, Rock Hudson, and Jeremy Kemp, with music by Henry Mancini and lyrics by Johnny Mercer.

During World War I, British pilots have polite dog-fights with their German rivals in northern France.

On the ground, Lili Smith is a beloved English musical star, much admired by French and British pilots.

In a restaurant a fellow pilot, Lieutenant Carstairs, lets slip that Larrabee is also having an affair with Crepe Suzette.

While Lili is awarded the Legion of Honour at a huge ceremony, Suzette happily tells the authorities all she knows.

In the final song, Lili sings on a dark stage surrounded by pilots looking on from the wings.

The final budget for the film was $25 million, making it one of the most-expensive musicals made by Paramount.

[7] Edwards courted British comedian Benny Hill for a supporting role in the movie.

[8] Edwards suffered continual interference from Paramount executives while making Darling Lili, and it was eventually edited by the studio largely without his input.

[9] Darling Lili made use of Lynn Garrison’s aviation facility at Weston Aerodrome in Leixlip, Ireland.

Songs from the era were performed in the film, including "It's a Long Way to Tipperary", "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag", "Keep the Home Fires Burning", and "Mademoiselle from Armentières".

The film had its premiere at the Cinerama Dome in Los Angeles on June 23, 1970 before opening to the public the following day.

[11] The film's distribution was badly managed by Paramount executives and Darling Lili barely got a release in most of the United States.

[12] Stefan Kanfer, reviewing the film for Time, called it a "common, overproduced, underinspired feature".

In 1991, at the behest of Michael Schlesinger, then the head of Paramount's Repertory division, Edwards was invited to recut Darling Lili to his original intentions.

The original roadshow version, complete with overture and exit music, has aired on Turner Classic Movies as well as receiving commercial release on Region 2 DVD in Europe.