Where Eagles Dare (Clint Eastwood Collection)
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Movie Reviews of Where Eagles Dare (Clint Eastwood Collection)
Movie Review: THE Quintessential War Action/Adventure/Spy Picture!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Year of Release: 1968
Writer: Alistair MacLean
Director: Brian Hutton
Country: UK/USA
Runtime: 2 hours 34 minutes
THE PLOT: Richard Burton leads a group of UK paratroopers to a German castle lair high in the Alps. Along for the ride is Clint Eastwood, who plays the sole American agent of the operation. Their initial mission is (seemingly) to rescue a captured American general.
WHAT WORKS: The opening credit sequence features the paratrooper's plane flying over the incredibly scenic Alps with Ron Goodwin's magnificent score blaring. This is undoubtedly THE best film opening in the entire history of cinema. It's so emotionally stirring it'll give ya friggin' goosebumps. Name your all-time favorite film opening (e.g. "Conan the Barbarian," "Apocalypse Now," "The Last Valley," etc.) "Where Eagles Dare" is BETTER or, at least, just as outstanding in its own unique way. Goodwin's composition is one of the greatest musical pieces I've ever had the pleasure to hear; it's absolutely exhilarating!
Richard Burton is ultra-charismatic as the quick-witting, utterly confident leader of the operation. This is a leader amongst leaders, pure and simple. Eastwood's Lt. Shaffer sort of just tags along beside or behind him the whole film. In other words, as great as Eastwood is, Burton blows him out of the water in this film (at least).
The picture features a seemingly never-ending slew of highlights: mysterious deaths, romantic rendezvous, remote military outposts, German pub scenes, beautiful women, castles, intense combat, cable car fights, chases, escapes, plot surprises and then... well, let's just say it's not over till it's over.
The scenic Austrian and Barvarian locations are breathtaking.
WHAT DOESN'T WORK: Some understandably criticize how unbelievably Burton's team mows down scores of Krauts. While this is a valid criticism, and I myself wish the film were more realistic in this respect, allow me to point out that the action is highly believable for the first TWO HOURS (unlike, say, "Rambo II" and "III" which are unbelievable from start to finish and therefore cannot be taken seriously at all). It's not until the group escapes the castle that they become nigh invincible. Because the first two hours are so captivating and generally realistic the viewer is completely CAUGHT UP in the story & mission and WANTS the team to successfully escape and obliterate the enemy. In other words, the story is so skillfully presented that the viewer is absolutely rooting for the protagonists at the 2-hour point, even to the point that s/he willingly and joyfully suspends disbelief and accepts the implausibilities. In fact, while watching the film you'll be convinced that their escape IS plausible. It's not until afterward that you start to realize that it's a bit of a British fantasy picture.
An additional complaint is that the film is "totally unbelievable," as my brother put it. He said this in reference to the mysterious blond that secretly parachutes from the plane and other Hollywood-style spy contrivances. The reason this turned him off and tuned him out was because he was expecting a straight war flick in the manner of "A Bridge Too Far" or "Platoon," but this isn't the case. As noted above, "Where Eagles Dare" was written by Alistair MacLean, who has a penchant for adding James Bondish spy elements to his adventure/war yarns. In other words, the viewer must be braced for a war flick with a Bondish flair in order to fully appreciate it.
Another criticism is that the film is needlessly brutal, like when Eastwood slits the helicopter pilot's throat or when Burton kicks the man off the cable car. Sorry, but this is WAR and Smith (Burton) & Shaffer (Eastwood) were picked for the operation precisely because they are professional killing machines. It's not that they revel in what they do, it's simply their job, their purpose, and they perform it in a heartless, matter of fact manner. They have no choice.
I had two cavils with the story: Since the cable car room at the castle is the ONLY WAY in or out, why isn't it more heavily guarded? Also, when the group is preparing to leave via the cable car, why do the Germans use sledge hammers to break down the door to the room (which naturally takes TOO LONG)? Why don't they just blow open the door?
BOTTOM LINE: "Where Eagles Dare" is EXHILARATING cinema at its finest. Certainly one of the BEST action/adventure/spy films ever made. Actually, it's WAY more than a mindless (and boring) action flick; there's some great dialogue-driven material here and the plot surprises will keep your head spinning.
In addition, the score and locations are breathtaking.
Lastly, if you don't get all the hoopla over Richard Burton, see this film.
Movie Review: Great DVD - and there WAS a helicopter in this movie!!
Summary: 5 Stars
The previous reviewer might want to watch the movie more closely - the helicopter on the DVD cover was the exact same one the German Komandant flew into the castle with.
Anyway, here we have one of my favorite war movies as a kid - ok, not as much a war movie as an espionage thriller. This Alistair McLean based movie is second only to the original GUNS OF NAVARONNE from the same author. Whereas that film had a perfect cast, story, and level of action throughout, this film loses a few points in the story and action distribution department.
The story is not as intense as GUNS because it is focused on the one mission, whereas in GUNS you had the added conflict between the two main characters who wanted to kill each other. The issue with the action distribution is that the movie seems pretty uneven, with the first 90 minutes being largely action-less with plot progression and intrigue filling the bill. But once the escape begins, it is almost ONLY action with no story progression until the last five minutes. That means an escape sequence that literally lasts 45 minutes of screen time. It is great action, don't get me wrong, but in the end it means you squirm during the first half waiting for something to happen, then squirm during the second half waiting for that long chase to end!
At any rate, the main star to today's audience would of course seem to be Clint Eastwood - but this is really Burton's movie. Clint has few lines, and is mostly muscle for the final escape. In fact, the female lead has more dialogue than Clint! Burton handles the role as leader admirably - and the plot portion of the movie provides plenty of suspense and plot twists that one expects from a Mclean story.
In short, Burton, Eastwood and seven others covertly infiltrate a German castle to free a British officer whom the Nazi's have captured, and whom the OSS wants back before he can reveal Top Secret intel about an upcoming military strike the Allies are planning. Along the way, it becomes clear that there are ulterior motives to the operation, and only Burton seems to know what they are.
The action is pretty spectacular for its day - and I can guarantee that there are more explosions in this film than in any James Bond movie of its day!! The beautiful Alpine cinematography just adds to the flare of this film.
Be sure to get the CLINT EASTWOOD COLLECTION version of this DVD, which is Digitally remastered and looks fantastic - and also features a revamped 5.1 surround audio track which sounds wonderful on your home stereo system.
The only quibbles I have with this film are that 1) The blood is all pink - maybe that's from the age of the film, but it is just never convincing, and 2) the Germans all speak english in this movie, even to each other. To me, it just isn't a WWII movie without the Nazi's screaming in German!
But, aside from minor details, this is about as good as the genre gets! Don't miss it!
Movie Review: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN "THE LIEUTENANT AND MYSELF HAVE JUST UNCOVERED A PLOT TO ASSASSINATE THE FUHRER??"
Summary: 5 Stars
ANSWER: SEE SCENE 27 IN 'WHERE EAGLES DARE' AND YOU'LL KNOW TOO!
Brian Hutton - Director
Alistair MacLean - Author - Scriptwriter
Richard Burton - John Smith
Clint Eastwood - Lt. Morris Schaffer
Mary Ure - Mary Ellison
Michael Hordern - Vice Adm. Rolland
IN A NUTSHELL: WHERE EAGLES DARE DEFINES THE OVER-THE-TOP WAR DRAMA!
'Where Eagles Dare' is about an over-the-top rescue and even more over-the-top escape. Disguised as Nazi officers, special agent Major John Smith [Richard Burton], American Ranger Lt. Schaffer [Clint Eastwood] along with six other special force types parachute behind enemy lines upon a frozen wasteland. Their mission is to find and rescue an American general, held in custody within an impenetrable Alpine fortress. Unbeknown to everyone except Major Smith, two Allied undercover agents Mary (Mary Ure) and Heidi (Ingrid Pitt) are also on hand for special support. Like other Alistair MacLean plots, this one has a vile betrayal at the center of the action, much like the 'Guns of Navarone which MacLean also wrote.
WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT: IF YOU LIKED 'THE GUNS OF NAVARONE' YOU'LL ENJOY THIS
Throughout the action packed scenario there are a number of plot twists and they lead very nicely to a very fast paced and well told story. Although this story is not really plausible, it is so well and fluidly played, in quick violent action by Eastwood, and in fiery rhetoric by Burton, that its over-the-top tone from beginning to end is completely acceptible. More than that, this is an incredibly entertaining film that really has it in the action and dialogue departments where Eastwood and Burton compliment each other as friendly opposite types, in every way. In essence, Eastwood has never caused so much explosive carnage, and rather quietly and Burton has never spoken faster or more sharply.
ABOUT THE DVD: CLINT EASTWOOD COLLECTION EDITION
-* WIDESCREEN LETTERBOX FORMAT
-* ALL NEW DIGITAL TRANSFER & REMASTERED SOUNDTRACK IN DOLBY 5.1
-* 'MAKING OF WHERE EAGLES DARE' - FEATURETTE
-* ORIGINAL THEATRICAL TRAILER
-* CLINT EASTWOOD FILM HIGHLIGHTS
-* ENGLISH or FRENCH LANGUAGE & SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH, FRENCH or SPANISH
BOTTOM LINE: OVER-THE-TOP DELIGHT & THIS EDITION IS A TRUE BARGAIN
Okay, so Alistair MacLean liked how 'The Guns of Navarone' turned out so well that he wrote a direct to film book which led to a very similar film that featured more action, violence, wild dialogue though somewhat less character development. Brian Hutton, who also Directed 'GUNFIGHT AT THE O.K CORRAL' treated us to the same kind of intensity in this film, but in 'Where Eagles Dared' that intensity never flagged and the pace only increased as the film trucked along. Nevertheless, this is one 150 minute long film that you'll have no trouble watching straight through and staying awake for.
Movie Review: "The world is grown so bad, that wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch"
Summary: 5 Stars
I love the heck out of this movie. It's probably one of my favorite action movies, and a bit of a guilty pleasure when I talk about it to some of my friends. I first caught it on TCM while in high school, and I was blown away at first not by the action but by the scenery. This film probably has the best cinematography of any action film, with the stunning shots of the alps and the well done set of the Eagle's Nest. (I highly suggest you watch this widescreen - I've seen it formatted, and it doesn't do the movie any justice) At first I didn't think much of it, but I got the DVD of it for Christmas last year, and watching it again after 6+ years was even better than the first time.
The story entails a group of MI6 operatives heading into the "Castle of the Eagles," a German fortress atop a mountain that can only be reached by eagle. (or a handy ride up in a transport attached to wire) They are after an American general who has the plans for opening the second front, (ie D-Day) and know the Germans want to get the plans out of him. Accompanied by an American Ranger, Lt. Schaffer, (Clint Eastwood) and led by Major Smith (Richard Burton) they quickly find out that someone among them is a double agent working for the Germans. The plot thickens from there as Schaffer and Smith sneak into the base and try to complete their mission.
"Where Eagles Dare" is one of those action films that has it all. Car chases, shoot outs, intrigue, exploding cars, explosions in general, helicopters (no helicopter crashes though) and a lot of dead Nazis. It also has a decent script working for it. It may have not won any Academy Awards at the time, but it has enough plot twists to keep you interested. It also has some great characters - Major Smith, in particular, is a great character. He seems to have a way out of every sticky situation, and knows how to play his enemy. Even Clint Eastwood's Schaffer character has some wits about him, even if he's just a more shoot-em-first alternative to Smith's more calculating persona.
Sure, like other action movies there are a lot of things you are supposed to ignore. Like how a bunch of people who jump into freezing alpine water come out not shivering a bit and are dry a few minutes later. Or maybe when when Clint Eastwood uses two submachine guns at once and kills a large group of Germans. You might even have to forgive some of the corny German accents the SS cast bears. But when all is said and done you're very forgiving of the film, and learn to just enjoy yourself. If you want to see World War II era action at its very best, look no more than "Where Eagles Dare."
Movie Review: Men on a mission at its best
Summary: 5 Stars
It would have been hard for author Alistair MacLean to top his previous WWII commando movie, The Guns of Navarone, but he does it with Where Eagles Dare, another adventure thriller with a group of commandos on a suicide mission. It's winter of 1944 when an American general's plane is shot down and he is captured by the Germans. This isn't any general though, he knows all the plans for the second front, the D-Day invasion. A team of espionage experts are dropped in to the area to rescue him. The catch? He is being held in the Schloss Adler, the castle of the eagles, high up on a German mountaintop in a town that houses the SS and a battalion of crack troops. That's the most basic storyline, but the movie is built on a huge twist that is filtered out with clues early on. The first half of the movie deals with the team moving in and preparing for the rescue, the second half is one great action sequence after another that never slows down. Throw in a memorable score by Ron Goodwin, great Austrian locations, and you can't miss with Where Eagles Dare.
One of the better actors of his time, Richard Burton shows off his chops as an action star playing the part of Major Smith, the leader of the commando team charged with rescuing a key American general. Burton is cool, calm and collected throughout, you're never quite sure if he's really who he is or what his motives are. Clint Eastwood stars as Lt. Morris Schaffer, the lone American in the team. Eastwood and Burton are perfect together, Burton as the smooth-talking leader and Eastwood the cold-blooded assassin always ready with a one-liner. Mary Ure plays Mary Ellison, an agent working with Smith behind the scenes. Patrick Wymark and Michael Horden have small but very important parts as the commanders monitoring the rescue attempt from London. Derren Nesbitt makes a memorable appearance as a suspicious Gestapo officer while Donald Houston, Peter Barkworth, and William Squire are three members of Smith's team. German actress Ingrid Pitt plays Heidi, an undercover agent also helping Smith's efforts.
The DVD, part of the Clint Eastwood Collection, has the movie in its widescreen presentation that isn't a great print, but it's still above average. Special features include a 12-minute featurette, "On the Set: Where Eagles Dare," a very cool, very 60s making of mini-doc, a trailer, and some cast/crew info. Definitely one of the best WWII action/adventure movies, don't miss out on Where Eagles Dare!