Where Eagles Dare

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For other uses, see Where Eagles Dare (disambiguation).
Where Eagles Dare
Directed by Brian G. Hutton
Yakima Canutt (2nd unit)
Produced by Elliott Kastner
Written by Alistair MacLean (novel)
Alistair MacLean (screenplay)
Starring Richard Burton
Clint Eastwood
Mary Ure
Music by Ron Goodwin
Cinematography Arthur Ibbetson
Editing by John Jympson
Distributed by MGM
Release date(s) December 4, 1968 (UK)
Running time 158 min.
Language English
IMDb profile

Where Eagles Dare is a 1968 film directed by Brian G. Hutton and starring Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood, and Mary Ure. The screenplay and the 1967 best-selling novel were written at more or less the same time by Alistair MacLean; it was his first of several screenwriting efforts. Both film and novel are often considered classics.

Contents

[edit] History

The driving force behind the film was Richard Burton's son, who wanted to see his father in a good old-fashioned adventure movie. Burton approached producer Elliott Kastner for ideas, who asked Alistair MacLean. At that time, most of MacLean's novels had either been made into films, or were in the process of being filmed. Kastner persuaded MacLean to write a new story. Six weeks later, MacLean delivered the script.

The title is taken from Act I, Scene III in William Shakespeare's Richard III: "The world is grown so bad, that wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch".

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

During World War II, American General George Carnaby, with full knowledge of the forthcoming D-Day landings in Normandy, is captured when his plane is shot down. A special team of mainly British commandos is hurriedly assembled and briefed by Colonel Wyatt Turner and Admiral Rolland of MI6. It is led by Major John Smith and US Army Ranger Lieutenant Morris Schaffer and their mission is to parachute into Germany, somehow infiltrate the castle known as the Schloss Adler (The Castle of the Eagles - hence the title of the story), the headquarters of the German Secret Service in Southern Bavaria, where the General is being held and either rescue or kill him. Known only by Smith, they are accompanied on the plane by a British female agent, Mary Elison. Soon after they arrive in Bavaria, however, it becomes apparent that things are not as they seem and there is an ulterior purpose to the mission.

Spoilers end here.

The film and novel are reasonably close to each other, due to their co-development. The major difference is the novel is far less violent in terms of death counts than the film, and one scene in particular presaged the "non-lethal thriller" notion that MacLean would explore in the final phase of his career.

[edit] Principal cast

These are the credits as they appear at the end of the movie. There are a number of differences between the characters' names in the film and the novel.

[edit] Production

Cover of the novel.
Enlarge
Cover of the novel.

[edit] Production notes

  • This movie was the last movie Clint Eastwood ever made for which he did not receive top billing, it instead going to Richard Burton.
  • Eastwood has his largest body count in this movie.
  • Eastwood referred to the film as Where Doubles Dare given the number of stunts and stuntmen that were required.
  • The sequence showing Eastwood looking at the Schloss Adler through binoculars as Burton approaches from behind has one strange peculiarity: Eastwood's hands are not holding the binoculars.
  • Focke Wulf Schnellflugzeug - Germany did indeed have some helicopters in service during the time of the film.

[edit] Commercial and critial reaction

  • This is a favourite movie of the director Quentin Tarantino and he has said that he would like to remake the film at some point in the future if given the opportunity.
  • Steven Spielberg has said the film is among his favourite war movies, even going so far as to quote the famous 'Broadsword calling Danny Boy' line.

[edit] Cultural references

  • Joe d'Amato stole footage from this film for use in his movie Ator l'invincibile 2 (also known as Blademaster or Cave Dwellers). The footage can be seen during Ator l'invincibile 2's infamous hang glider scenes.
  • Fans of the book/movie sometimes utter the phrase, "Broadsword calling Danny Boy", in a room full of strangers, to secretly identify themselves as fans (Broadsword and Danny Boy were radio call-signs used in Where Eagles Dare).
  • The call-sign "Broadsword calling Danny Boy," as spoken by Burton, is sampled several times in "Bad Attitude" on the album Blue Rock by The Cross, a group founded by and featuring Roger Taylor, Queen's drummer.
  • This film is the subject of a Misfits song of the same name, from their 7-inch single, Night of the Living Dead and compilation album, Legacy of Brutality.
  • This film is also the subject of an Iron Maiden song, also of the same name. It is the opening track of their album Piece of Mind. In the concert album A Real Live Dead One, Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson introduces the song saying "Wherever the problem is, Clint Eastwood is gonna fix it ... 'Where Eagles Dare'!!!"
  • The film is the inspiration of a few third-party maps in the popular free multiplayer computer game by id Software and Activision called Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory.
  • Electronica artist Tomcraft colaborated with Bloodhound Gang's Jimmy Pop on song titled "Broadsword Calling Danny Boy."

[edit] External links

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