Synopsis

During World War II, an unconventional Allied unit is assigned to steal a German Enigma machine from a Berlin factory. Because the facility is staffed entirely by women, the four operatives must disguise themselves as female workers while navigating enemy territory, suspicious officials, romantic complications, and their own lack of preparation. Their dangerous mission becomes an increasingly chaotic espionage comedy.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film is an international co-production involving companies from the United States, Austria, and Germany.

• Filming took place in Budapest, Hungary, and Vienna, Austria, rather than Berlin.

• The production had an estimated budget of $15 million but earned only $121,258 worldwide, making it a major commercial failure.

• The story's central Enigma-machine mission attracted criticism for its historical premise. British forces had already captured an Enigma machine during the war, a fact that made the film's setup difficult for some critics to accept.

• The film was released in Germany on December 13, 2001, and received its United States release on October 14, 2001, according to production listings.

• Its cross-dressing spy premise led to comparisons with classic wartime farces and with films such as "Some Like It Hot," although critics generally felt that the comedy did not achieve the same effect.

• Roger Ebert later included the film in his book "Your Movie Sucks," contributing to its reputation as a notable critical and commercial misfire.