Where Eagles Dare (1968) is Steven Spielberg’s favorite World War II movie and it’s essayist Geoff Dyer’s, too. Dyer decided to write a book about Where Eagles Dare to celebrate the movie’s 50th Anniversary.
If you haven’t seen Where Eagles Dare, it’s the coolest caper WWII movie ever. Seven agents–six Brits and 1 American–are sent to Germany on a mission to rescue an American general from the Nazi’s impregnable alpine fortress, the Schloss Adler (aka, “Castle of the Eagles”). Richard Burton is the head of the team. After parachuting into Germany, one of his team is found dead. Not a good start. Burton uses Clint Eastwood, the American agent, to set a plot into motion to expose the traitor on the team.
Where Eagles Dare resembles a Mission Impossible movie set in World War II. Just when you think you know where the plot is heading, screen writer and High Adventure novelist Alistair MacLean throws another twist into the action. Geoff Dyer loves these twists and lavishes his wit on them in ‘Broadsword Calling Danny Boy’ as he gives a running commentary on the entire film. Sometimes Dyer’s comments reveal subtle aspects of the film, sometimes he’s just plain funny. If you’re a fan of WWII movies, Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood, Alistair MacLean, and impossible missions you’ll love ‘Broadsword Calling Danny Boy’. GRADE: A
Good movie! I’ve always thought of it as a stepchild to The Guns of Navarone!
Bob. THE GUNS OF NAVARONE came out in 1961, WHERE EAGLES DARE hit the screens seven years later. Both movies were based on Alistair MacLean’s work.
I am aware of their release dates! The concept of a small team of experts penetrating Nazi territory for a do-or-die mission, and one of them being a traitor, is right out of Navarone!
Bob, but WHERE EAGLES DARE includes lovely Mary Ure and Ingrid Pitt with the wonderful music of Ron Goodwin!
Sounds like fun. It’s not NAVARONE, but it was one of my father’s favorites too.
Jeff, I like the humor in WHERE EAGLES DARE…intentional and otherwise.
One of my guilty pleasures. Whenever it’s on, I’ll watch it, especially the last third, with all the switcheroos. Superior to Navarone. And just how many lines does Clint speak in the entire movie? He’s the epitome of strong/silent type; seems like Burton does all the talking.
Art, Geoff Dyer also admits to watching WHERE EAGLES DARE whenever it’s on. Dyer also claims Clint Eastwood perfected “The Squint” in this movie.
I have never seen it. Have to look for it.
Patti, you and Phil will enjoy WHERE EAGLES DARE if you keep in mind this movie is 50 years old.
It’s been years since I saw the movie, but I remember it fondly. And it’s almost impossible to go wrong with anything by Geoff Dyer. My favorite is “Out of Sheer Rage”, a book about NOT writing a book about D. H. Lawrence. Sounds really boring, right? But it’s wonderful, even if you have absolutely no interest in Lawrence.
Michael, you’re right about OUT OF SHEER RAGE. Brilliant! I also liked http://georgekelley.org/another-great-day-at-sea-life-aboard-the-uss-george-h-w-bush-by-geoff-dyer/
Skip the book, which sounds like a print concept of MT3000, and just watch the film.
Rick, Geoff Dyer prefers the film over the book, too.
I don’t like that kind of film so I never watched it …
But I’ve been to the real castle Hohenwerfen that appears as “Castle Adler” and passed it often on my trips between Germany and Hungary or Yugoslavia many years ago …
The Alps are still a favourite of mine – though I’m not a climber, just like to walk and watch.
Wolf, the scenery in WHERE EAGLES DARE is breath-taking!
Greatest WW2 film ever.
Beer Baron, you’re totally correct!