Jump to content

Where Eagles Dare: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Tag: Reverted
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit
 
(118 intermediate revisions by 64 users not shown)
Line 6: Line 6:
| name = Where Eagles Dare
| name = Where Eagles Dare
| image = Where Eagles Dare poster.jpg
| image = Where Eagles Dare poster.jpg

| image_size =
| caption = UK quad crown release poster<br />by [[Howard Terpning]]
| caption = UK quad crown release poster<br />by [[Howard Terpning]]
| producer = [[Elliott Kastner]]<br />Jerry Gershwin
| producer = [[Elliott Kastner]]
| director = [[Brian G. Hutton]]
| director = [[Brian G. Hutton]]
| screenplay = [[Alistair MacLean]]
| screenplay = [[Alistair MacLean]]
Line 16: Line 16:
* [[Clint Eastwood]]
* [[Clint Eastwood]]
* [[Mary Ure]]
* [[Mary Ure]]
⚫
* [[Michael Hordern]]
* [[Patrick Wymark]]
* [[Patrick Wymark]]
⚫
* [[Michael Hordern]]
}}
}}
| music = [[Ron Goodwin]]
| music = [[Ron Goodwin]]
Line 27: Line 27:
| released = {{Film date|1968|12|4|df=y}}
| released = {{Film date|1968|12|4|df=y}}
| runtime = 155 minutes
| runtime = 155 minutes
| country = United Kingdom
| country = United States<br />United Kingdom
| language = English
| language = English
| budget = $6.2 million<ref>{{cite book|first=Jack|last=Webster|title=Alistair MacLean: A Life|year=1991|publisher=Chapmans|page=133}}</ref>—$7.7 million<ref>{{Cite news|title=Metro-Goldwyn Omits Dividend; O'Brien Resigns: Board Cites Possible Loss Of Up to $19 Million in The Current Fiscal Year Bronfman Named Chairman|date=May 27, 1969|work=Wall Street Journal|page=2}}</ref>
| budget = $6.2 million<ref>{{cite book|first=Jack|last=Webster|title=Alistair MacLean: A Life|year=1991|publisher=Chapmans|page=133}}</ref>–$7.7 million<ref>{{Cite news|title=Metro-Goldwyn Omits Dividend; O'Brien Resigns: Board Cites Possible Loss Of Up to $19 Million in The Current Fiscal Year Bronfman Named Chairman|date=May 27, 1969|work=Wall Street Journal|page=2}}</ref>
| gross = $21 million<ref name="Hughes194">Hughes, p.194</ref>
| gross = $21 million<ref name="Hughes194">Hughes, p.194</ref>
}}
}}


'''''Where Eagles Dare''''' is a 1968 [[war film]] directed by [[Brian G. Hutton]] and starring [[Richard Burton]], [[Clint Eastwood]] and [[Mary Ure]]. It follows a joint British [[Special Operations Executive]] team of paratroopers raiding a castle (shot on location in [[Austria]] and [[Bavaria]]). It was filmed in [[Panavision]] using the [[Metrocolor]] process, and was distributed by [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]]. [[Alistair MacLean]] wrote the screenplay, his first, at the same time that he wrote the novel of the same name. Both became commercial successes.
'''''Where Eagles Dare''''' is a 1968 [[action film|action]] [[adventure film|adventure]] [[war film|war]] [[thriller film|thriller]] [[spy film]] directed by [[Brian G. Hutton]] and starring [[Richard Burton]], [[Clint Eastwood]] and [[Mary Ure]]. Set during [[World War II]], it follows a [[Special Operations Executive]] team charged with saving a captured American General from the fictional ''Schloß Adler'' fortress, except the mission turns out not to be as it seems. It was filmed in [[Panavision]] using the [[Metrocolor]] process, and was distributed by [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]]. [[Alistair MacLean]] wrote the screenplay, his first, at the same time that he wrote the novel of the same name. Both became commercial successes.

⚫
The film involved some of the top filmmakers of the day and was shot on location in [[Austria]]. Hollywood [[Stunt performer|stuntman]] [[Yakima Canutt]] was the [[second unit]] director and shot most of the action scenes; British stuntman [[Alf Joint]] doubled for Burton in many sequences, including the fight on top of the cable car; [[Ivor Novello Awards|award-winning]] conductor and composer [[Ron Goodwin]] wrote the [[film score]]; and future [[Academy Awards|Oscar nominee]] [[Arthur Ibbetson]] worked on the [[cinematography]].


''Where Eagles Dare'' received mostly positive critical reaction, with praise for its action sequences, score and the performances of Burton and Eastwood, and has since been considered a classic.<ref name = "TCM"/><ref>{{cite web |title=''The Spinning Image'', Where Eagles Dare |url=https://www.thespinningimage.co.uk/cultfilms/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=3911 |website=thespinningimage.co.uk |date=March 14, 2012 |access-date=2012-03-14}}</ref>
⚫
The film involved some of the top filmmakers of the day and is considered a classic.<ref name = "TCM"/> Hollywood [[Stunt performer|stuntman]] [[Yakima Canutt]] was the [[second unit]] director and shot most of the action scenes; British stuntman [[Alf Joint]] doubled for Burton in many sequences, including the fight on top of the cable car; [[Ivor Novello Awards|award-winning]] conductor and composer [[Ron Goodwin]] wrote the [[film score]]; and future [[Academy Awards|Oscar-nominee]] [[Arthur Ibbetson]] worked on the [[cinematography]].


==Plot==
==Plot==
<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for feature films should be between 400 to 700 words. -->
<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for feature films should be between 400 to 700 words. -->
During [[World War II]], [[Secret Intelligence Service|MI6]] officers Colonel Turner and Admiral Rolland assemble a [[Commandos (United Kingdom)|commando]] team for a dangerous mission behind enemy lines: Major John Smith, Sargeants Harrod and MacPherson, Captains Lee Thomas, Ted Berkeley, and Olaf Christiansen, and [[U.S. Army]] ranger Lieutenant Morris Schaffer. Their task is to rescue American [[Brigadier General]] George Carnaby—a chief planner for the [[Western Front (World War II)|Western Front]]—captured by the [[Nazi Germany|Germans]] and held at ''Schloß Adler'', an alpine mountaintop fortress in [[Bavaria]], accessible only by cable car.
In the winter of 1943–44, [[U.S. Army]] [[Brigadier General]] George Carnaby, a chief planner for the [[Western Front (World War II)|Western Front]], is captured by the Germans. He is taken for interrogation to ''Schloß Adler'', a mountaintop fortress accessible only by [[aerial tramway|cable car]]. A team of seven Allied [[Special Operations Executive]] [[commando]]s, led by British Major John Smith of the [[Grenadier Guards]] and [[U.S. Army Ranger]] Lieutenant Morris Schaffer, is briefed by Colonel Turner and Vice Admiral Rolland of [[Secret Intelligence Service|MI6]]. Disguised as ''[[Wehrmacht]]'' mountain troops, they are to parachute into the [[Bavarian Alps|German Alps]], enter the castle, and rescue Carnaby before the Germans can interrogate him. After their [[Ju 52|transport plane]] drops them off, Smith secretly meets with agent Mary Ellison, with whom he is in a relationship, and his contact Heidi Schmidt. Heidi has arranged for Mary, posing as her cousin Maria, to work temporarily at the castle so the commandos can gain access.


Disguised as German soldiers, the team parachutes near the castle. Harrod is found dead with a broken neck, and Smith deduces he was murdered. Smith secretly meets with his lover, British agent Mary Ellison, but keeps her involvement a secret from his men. Smith and his team infiltrate the village at the base of ''Schloß Adler'' where he meets undercover agent Heidi Schmidt, who has arranged for Mary to work inside the castle. Smith discloses to Mary that Carnaby's capture was staged by the British, and the General is actually American Corporal Cartwright Jones. Later, Smith discovers MacPherson dead.
Although two of the team are mysteriously killed, Smith continues the operation, keeping Schaffer as a close ally and secretly updating Rolland and Turner by radio. He reveals that Carnaby is actually an American corporal named Cartwright Jones, an ex-actor and lookalike of Carnaby trained to impersonate him. The Germans, tipped off to the operation, eventually surround the commandos in a ''[[gasthaus]]'' and force them to surrender. The officers, Smith and Schaffer, are separated from the rest of the team, Thomas, Berkeley, and Christiansen. Smith and Schaffer kill their captors, blow up a [[supply depot]], and prepare an escape route. They reach the castle by riding on the roof of a cable car and climb inside using a rope lowered by Mary.


When German forces arrive, ostensibly searching for deserters, Smith deduces his team has been betrayed and surrenders to avoid an unwinnable fight. Thomas, Berkeley, and Christiansen are taken to the castle, while Smith and Schaffer kill their captors en route and escape. They blow up a supply depot and use the ensuing chaos to infiltrate the castle via cable car. Inside, they meet Mary and secretly observe [[General (Germany)|General]] Rosemeyer and [[Standartenführer]] Kramer interrogate Carnaby and introduce him to Thomas, Berkeley, and Christiansen, who are revealed as German [[double agent]]s.
German [[General der Gebirgstruppe]] Rosemeyer and [[SS-Standartenführer]] Kramer are interrogating Carnaby when the three operative/prisoners, who claim to be double agents working for the Germans, arrive. Shortly thereafter, Smith and Schaffer intrude, weapons drawn, but Smith forces Schaffer to drop his weapon. He identifies himself as [[SS-Sturmbannführer]] Johann Schmidt of the [[Sicherheitsdienst|SD]], the SS intelligence branch and shows Kramer the name of Germany's top agent in Britain. Kramer silently affirms it and calls a high-ranking officer on [[Albert Kesselring|Kesselring]]'s staff who confirms that Smith is indeed Schmidt. To ensure the three agents are who they say they are, Schmidt proposes that they write down the names of their fellow agents in Britain, to be compared to the list he has in his pocket. After the three finish their lists, Schmidt reveals that he was bluffing; he is in fact a double agent for the Allies and that obtaining the list of agents was the mission's true objective.


Smith and Schaffer intrude, weapons drawn on the men. However, Smith then forces Schaffer to surrender his weapon and identifies himself as [[Sturmbannführer]] Johann Schmidt of the [[Schutzstaffel]]'s [[Sicherheitsdienst|intelligence branch]]. He exposes Carnaby's identity and claims that Thomas, Berkeley, and Christiansen are MI6 agents impersonating German spies. Smith conveys proof of his identity by showing the name of Germany's top spy in Britain to Kramer, who silently affirms it, and challenges the double agents to prove themselves by listing the names of their fellow agents in Britain.
Mary is visited by [[SS-Sturmbannführer]] von Happen, a highly decorated [[Waffen-SS]] officer who is convalescing whilst on [[secondment]] to the [[Sicherheitsdienst|SD]] and the [[Gestapo]] in Southern Bavaria. He is attracted to her but becomes suspicious of flaws in her cover story, and stumbles upon Carnaby's interrogation just as Smith finishes his explanation. Smith keeps him occupied long enough for Mary to arrive and distract him. Schaffer seizes the opportunity to kill von Hapen and the other German officers with his [[Silencer (firearm)|silenced pistol]]. The group then makes their escape with Jones and the German agents. Schaffer sets a series of explosives to create diversions around the castle while Smith leads the group to the radio room, where he informs Rolland of their success and asks for a transport plane home. During the escape, Thomas is sacrificed as a decoy, and Berkeley and Christiansen both attempt to escape before Smith kills them. The team reunites with Heidi on the ground, boarding an army bus they had prepared earlier. They battle their way onto a nearby airfield and take off in their transport plane, where Turner welcomes them.


Afterward, Smith reveals the truth: believing German spies have extensively infiltrated British intelligence, MI6 identified Thomas, Berkeley, and Christiansen as suspects, and launched the mission to prove this and obtain the identities of their accomplices and commander. Schaffer then fatally shoots Kramer and Rosemeyer. The team and Carnaby make their escape, taking Thomas, Berkeley, and Christiansen as prisoners.
As Turner debriefs Smith about the mission, Smith reveals that Kramer named Turner as Germany's top agent in Britain. Rolland lured Turner and the others into participating in the fake mission so that MI6 could expose them; Smith's trusted partner Mary and the American Schaffer, who had no connection to MI6, had been assigned to the mission to ensure its success. Turner aims a [[Sten gun]] at Smith, who reveals that Rolland had the gun's firing pin removed earlier. He permits Turner to jump out of the plane to his death to avoid being tried for treason and executed. An exhausted Schaffer asks Smith to keep his next mission "an all-British operation".

As alarms sound, Schaffer sets explosives around the castle while Smith radios Rolland for extraction. The group travel to the cable car station, sacrificing Thomas as a decoy. Berkeley and Christiansen break free and attempt their own escape in a cable car; both are thwarted and killed by Smith. Reunited with Heidi on the ground, the team uses a bus to battle their way onto an airfield and escape aboard a [[Ju 52]] transport, with the waiting Turner.

In the air, Smith reveals that Kramer identified Turner as Germany's top spy in Britain, confirming Rolland's suspicions. Turner had chosen Smith to lead the mission because he believed he was a German double agent, unaware he had been working undercover for Rolland. To ensure the mission's success, Smith then secretly recruited Mary—his trusted ally—and Schaffer, who had no ties to the compromised MI6. To avoid a humiliating court martial and execution, Turner is permitted to jump from the aircraft to his death. As the exhausted operatives fly home, Schaffer wryly suggests that Smith keep his next mission "all-British".


==Cast==
==Cast==

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Clint Eastwood Ingrid Pitt Where Eagles Dare.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Clint Eastwood]] as [[U.S. Army Ranger]] officer, with [[Ingrid Pitt]], as British [[Secret Intelligence Service|MI6]] spy]] -->
{{multiple image
| total_width = 350
| direction = horizontal
| align = right
| footer = [[Richard Burton]] (pictured in 1961) and [[Clint Eastwood]] (1976)
| image1 = Richard Burton Antonio Cropped.jpg
| alt1 = A photograph of Richard Burton
| image2 = Clint Eastwood 1976 (cropped).jpg
| alt2 = A photograph of Clint Eastwood
}}
{{Div col}}
{{Div col}}
* [[Richard Burton]] as [[Major (United Kingdom)|Maj.]] John Smith / [[Sturmbannführer|Maj.]] Johann Schmidt
* [[Richard Burton]] as [[Major (United Kingdom)|Maj.]] John Smith / [[Sturmbannführer|Maj.]] Johann Schmidt
Line 61: Line 77:
* [[William Squire]] as Capt. Lee Thomas
* [[William Squire]] as Capt. Lee Thomas
* [[Robert Beatty]] as [[Brigadier General (United States)|Brig. Gen.]] George Carnaby / Cpl. Cartwright Jones
* [[Robert Beatty]] as [[Brigadier General (United States)|Brig. Gen.]] George Carnaby / Cpl. Cartwright Jones
* [[Ingrid Pitt]] as Heidi Schmidt
* [[Ingrid Pitt]] as Heidi Schmidt
* [[Brook Williams]] as [[Sergeant|Sgt.]] Harrod
* [[Brook Williams]] as [[Sergeant|Sgt.]] Harrod
* [[Neil McCarthy (actor)|Neil McCarthy]] as Sgt. Jock MacPherson
* [[Neil McCarthy (actor)|Neil McCarthy]] as Sgt. Jock MacPherson
Line 72: Line 88:
* [[Guy Deghy]] as [[Major (Germany)|Maj.]] Wilhelm Wilner (uncredited)
* [[Guy Deghy]] as [[Major (Germany)|Maj.]] Wilhelm Wilner (uncredited)
* [[Derek Newark]] as SS Officer (uncredited)
* [[Derek Newark]] as SS Officer (uncredited)
* [[Olga Lowe]] as Anne-Marie Kernitser
{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


==Production==
==Production==
<!--- [[File:Ingrid Pitt Richard Burton Where Eagles Dare.jpg|thumb|left|250px|([[Richard Burton]]) is a [[British Commando]] officer, with [[Mary Ure]], a British [[Secret Intelligence Service|MI6]] spy, in ''Where Eagles Dare'']] --->

⚫
[[File:Burg Hohenwerfen 1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.56|[[Hohenwerfen Castle|Festung Hohenwerfen]], in [[Werfen]], Austria, where the castle scenes were filmed]]


===Development===
===Development===
Burton later said, "I decided to do the picture because [[Elizabeth Taylor|Elizabeth's]] two sons said they were fed up with me making films they weren't allowed to see, or in which I get killed. They wanted me to kill a few people instead."<ref>{{cite news|title=3 Companies Offer to Bankroll Burton Film|work=Los Angeles Times|date=February 22, 1968|page=d16}}</ref>
Burton later said, "I decided to do the picture because [[Elizabeth (Taylor)'s]] two sons said they were fed up with me making films they weren't allowed to see, or in which I get killed. They wanted me to kill a few people instead."<ref>{{cite news|title=3 Companies Offer to Bankroll Burton Film|work=Los Angeles Times|date=February 22, 1968|page=d16}}</ref>


Burton approached producer [[Elliott Kastner]] "and asked him if he had some super-hero stuff for me where I don't get killed in the end."<ref>{{Cite news|author=Aba, Marika|date=21 July 1968|title=The Burtons... 'Just Another Working Couple'|work=Los Angeles Times |page=c18}}</ref>
Burton approached producer [[Elliott Kastner]] "and asked him if he had some super-hero stuff for me where I don't get killed in the end."<ref>{{Cite news|author=Aba, Marika|date=21 July 1968|title=The Burtons... 'Just Another Working Couple'|work=Los Angeles Times |page=c18}}</ref>


The producer consulted MacLean and requested an adventure film filled with mystery, suspense, and action. Most of MacLean's novels had been made into films or were being filmed. Kastner persuaded MacLean to write a new story; six weeks later, he delivered the script, at that time entitled ''Castle of Eagles''. Kastner hated the title, and chose ''Where Eagles Dare'' instead. The title<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cellulord.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/where-eagles-dare_31.html|title=BROADSWORD CALLING DANNY-BOY … the making of WHERE EAGLES DARE|publisher=Film Review 1998: republished in The Cellulord is Watching|access-date=1 October 2013}}</ref> is from Act I, Scene III in [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Richard III (play)|Richard III]]'': "The world is grown so bad, that wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch". Like virtually all of MacLean's works, ''Where Eagles Dare'' features his trademark "secret traitor", who must be unmasked by the end.
The producer consulted MacLean and requested an adventure film filled with mystery, suspense, and action. Most of MacLean's novels had been made into films or were being filmed. Kastner persuaded MacLean to write a new story; six weeks later, he delivered the script, at that time entitled ''Castle of Eagles''. Kastner hated the title, and chose ''Where Eagles Dare'' instead. The title<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cellulord.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/where-eagles-dare_31.html|title=Broadsword Calling Danny-Boy... the making of Where Eagles Dare|publisher=Film Review 1998: republished in The Cellulord is Watching|access-date=1 October 2013|archive-date=4 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213545/http://cellulord.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/where-eagles-dare_31.html|url-status=live}}</ref> is from Act I, Scene III, Line 71 in [[William Shakespeare]]'s play ''[[Richard III (play)|Richard III]]'': "The world is grown so bad, that wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch". Like virtually all of MacLean's works, ''Where Eagles Dare'' features his trademark "secret traitor", who must be unmasked by the end.


<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Burton Eastwood Taylor Pitt On Set Where Eagles Dare.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Richard Burton]], [[Clint Eastwood]], Burton's wife, [[Elizabeth Taylor]], and [[Ingrid Pitt]], in Austria, on the set, 1968]] -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Burton Eastwood Taylor Pitt On Set Where Eagles Dare.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Richard Burton]], [[Clint Eastwood]], Burton's wife, [[Elizabeth Taylor]], and [[Ingrid Pitt]], in Austria, on the set, 1968]] -->
Line 90: Line 104:


===Filming===
===Filming===
⚫
Eastwood and Burton reportedly dubbed the film 'Where Doubles Dare' due to the amount of screen time in which stand-ins doubled for the cast during action sequences.<ref name = "TCM">{{cite web|url=http://www.tcm.com/thismonth/article.jsp?cid=31721&mainArticleId=159274|title=Where Eagles Dare|publisher=TCM|access-date=21 November 2009}}</ref> Filming began on 2 January 1968 in Austria and concluded in July 1968.<ref name="Hughes1912">Hughes, pp.191–192</ref> Eastwood received a salary of $800,000 while Burton received $1,200,000.<ref name="Hughes1912"/><ref>Munn, p. 79</ref> This is one of the first sound films to have used [[front projection effect]].<ref>{{Cite news|author=Lightman, Herb A.|url=http://www.visual-memory.co.uk/sk/2001a/page2.html|title=Front Projection for "2001: A Space Odyssey"|work=American Cinematographer}}</ref> This technology enabled filming of the scenes where the actors are on top of the cable car.


⚫
[[File:Burg Hohenwerfen 1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.56|[[Hohenwerfen Castle|Festung Hohenwerfen]], in [[Werfen]], Austria, where the castle scenes were filmed]]
⚫
Eastwood initially thought the script written by MacLean was "terrible" and was "all exposition and complications." According to Derren Nesbitt, Eastwood requested that he be given less dialogue. Most of Schaffer's lines were given to Burton, whilst Eastwood handled most of the action scenes.<ref name="youtube.com">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0P0HUgC_1M A Conversation with Derren Nesbitt. "Major von Hapen" in "Where Eagles Dare"]. YouTube (10 June 2013). Retrieved on 2015-11-20.</ref> Director Hutton played to his actors' strengths, allowing for Burton's theatrical background to help the character of Smith and Eastwood's quiet demeanour to establish Schaffer. Eastwood took the part on the advice of his agent, who felt it would be interesting to see his client appear with someone with seniority. Eastwood and Burton got along well on set.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theclinteastwoodarchive.blogspot.com/2009/12/eastwood-interviewed-03-eastwood-on.html?m=1|title=The Clint Eastwood Archive: Eastwood Interviewed # 03 Clint on Clint Empire Magazine November 2008|date=15 December 2009}}</ref>
⚫
Eastwood and Burton reportedly dubbed the film 'Where Doubles Dare' due to the amount of screen time in which stand-ins doubled for the cast during action sequences.<ref name = "TCM">{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/1518/where-eagles-dare#articles-reviews|title=Where Eagles Dare|publisher=TCM|access-date=11 November 2022|archive-date=11 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111204627/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/1518/where-eagles-dare#articles-reviews|url-status=live}}</ref> Filming began on 2 January 1968 in Austria and concluded in July 1968.<ref name="Hughes1912">Hughes, pp.191–192</ref> Eastwood received a salary of $800,000 while Burton received $1,200,000.<ref name="Hughes1912"/><ref>Munn, p. 79</ref> This is one of the first sound films to have used [[front projection effect]].<ref>{{Cite news|author=Lightman, Herb A.|url=http://www.visual-memory.co.uk/sk/2001a/page2.html|title=Front Projection for "2001: A Space Odyssey"|work=American Cinematographer|access-date=26 October 2013|archive-date=2 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102040441/http://www.visual-memory.co.uk/sk/2001a/page2.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This technology enabled filming of the scenes where the actors are on top of the cable car.

⚫
Eastwood initially thought the script written by MacLean was "terrible" and was "all exposition and complications." According to Derren Nesbitt, Eastwood requested that he be given less dialogue. Most of Schaffer's lines were given to Burton, whilst Eastwood handled most of the action scenes.<ref name="youtube.com">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0P0HUgC_1M A Conversation with Derren Nesbitt. "Major von Hapen" in "Where Eagles Dare"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016215640/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0P0HUgC_1M&gl=US&hl=en |date=16 October 2016}}. YouTube (10 June 2013). Retrieved on 2015-11-20.</ref> Director Hutton played to his actors' strengths, allowing for Burton's theatrical background to help the character of Smith and Eastwood's quiet demeanour to establish Schaffer. Eastwood took the part on the advice of his agent, who felt it would be interesting to see his client appear with someone with seniority. Eastwood and Burton got along well on set.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theclinteastwoodarchive.blogspot.com/2009/12/eastwood-interviewed-03-eastwood-on.html?m=1|title=The Clint Eastwood Archive: Eastwood Interviewed # 03 Clint on Clint Empire Magazine November 2008|date=15 December 2009|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-date=20 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020033758/http://theclinteastwoodarchive.blogspot.com/2009/12/eastwood-interviewed-03-eastwood-on.html?m=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Ingrid Pitt had spent part of her childhood in a concentration camp and reportedly found uncomfortable to work on the movie.<ref>https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/celebrating-where-eagles-dare/</ref>


Derren Nesbitt was keen to be as authentic as possible with his character Von Hapen. Whilst on location, he requested to meet a former member of the [[Gestapo]] to better understand how to play the character and to get the military regalia correct. He was injured on set whilst filming the scene in which Schaffer kills Von Hapen. The [[blood squib]] attached to Nesbitt exploded with such force that he was temporarily blinded, though he made a quick recovery.<ref name="youtube.com"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Actor Injured as Burton Fires 'Shot'|date=April 25, 1968|work=Chicago Tribune|page=b30}}</ref>
Derren Nesbitt was keen to be as authentic as possible with the character of the suspicious Major von Hapen. Whilst on location, he requested to meet a former member of the [[Gestapo]] to better understand how to play the character and to get the military regalia correct. While dressed in his [[SS]] uniform, he caused a Baron to faint with shock and found out that he was Himmler's driver. Nesbitt said that the "Jewish chronicle called me afterwards and said, 'How could you play a German?' I said 'I do it because I play them very badly.' That seemed to satisfy them." He was injured on set whilst filming the scene in which Schaffer kills von Hapen. The [[blood squib]] attached to Nesbitt exploded with such force that he was temporarily blinded, though he made a quick recovery.<ref name="youtube.com"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Actor Injured as Burton Fires 'Shot'|date=April 25, 1968|work=Chicago Tribune|page=b30}}</ref>


<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Eastwood Motorcycle On Set Where Eagles Dare.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Clint Eastwood]] at the studio, while filming on location in Europe]] -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Eastwood Motorcycle On Set Where Eagles Dare.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Clint Eastwood]] at the studio, while filming on location in Europe]] -->
The filming was delayed due to the adverse weather in Austria. Shooting took place in winter and early spring of 1968, and the crew had to contend with blizzards, sub-zero temperatures and potential avalanches. Further delays were incurred when Richard Burton, well known for his drinking binges, disappeared for several days, with his friends [[Peter O'Toole]], [[Trevor Howard]] and [[Richard Harris]].<ref name="cellulord.blogspot.co.uk">[http://cellulord.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/where-eagles-dare_31.html the cellulord is watching: WHERE EAGLES DARE]. Cellulord.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved on 20 November 2015.</ref> As part of his deal with [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]], Clint Eastwood took delivery of a [[Norton P11]] motorcycle, which he 'tested' at [[Brands Hatch]] racetrack,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nortonmotors.de/prominenzGB2.htm |title=Norton Motors homepage |website=Nortonmotors.de |access-date=2016-08-17}}</ref> accompanied by [[Ingrid Pitt]], something that he had been forbidden from doing by Kastner for insurance purposes in case of injury or worse.<ref>[http://www.ingridpitt.net/anecdotes/if-only.html If Only]. Ingridpitt.net. Retrieved on 20 November 2015.</ref>
The filming was delayed due to the adverse weather in Austria. Shooting took place in winter and early spring of 1968, and the crew had to contend with blizzards, sub-zero temperatures and potential avalanches. Further delays were incurred when Richard Burton, well known for his drinking binges, disappeared for several days, with his friends [[Peter O'Toole]], [[Oliver Reed]], [[Trevor Howard]] and [[Richard Harris]].<ref name="cellulord.blogspot.co.uk">[http://cellulord.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/where-eagles-dare_31.html the cellulord is watching: Where Eagles Dare] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213545/http://cellulord.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/where-eagles-dare_31.html |date=4 October 2013 }}. Cellulord.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved on 20 November 2015.</ref> As part of his deal with [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]], Clint Eastwood took delivery of a [[Norton P11]] motorcycle, which he 'tested' at [[Brands Hatch]] racetrack,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nortonmotors.de/prominenzGB2.htm |title=Norton Motors homepage |website=Nortonmotors.de |access-date=2016-08-17 |archive-date=26 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126051047/http://www.nortonmotors.de/prominenzGB2.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> accompanied by [[Ingrid Pitt]], something that he had been forbidden from doing by Kastner for insurance purposes in case of injury or worse.<ref>[http://www.ingridpitt.net/anecdotes/if-only.html If Only] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315020008/http://www.ingridpitt.net/anecdotes/if-only.html |date=15 March 2015 }}. Ingridpitt.net. Retrieved on 20 November 2015.</ref>


Stuntman Alf Joint, who had played Capungo–the man who [[James Bond (literary character)|007]] electrocuted in the bathtub in ''[[Goldfinger (film)|Goldfinger]]''–doubled and was stand-in for Richard Burton, and performed the famous cable car jump sequence, during which he lost three teeth.<ref name="cellulord.blogspot.co.uk"/> Joint stated that at one point during production, Burton was so drunk that he knocked himself out while filming and Joint had to quickly fill in for him.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://cellulord.blogspot.com/2010/01/where-eagles-dare_31.html?m=1| title=The cellulord is watching: WHERE EAGLES DARE }}</ref> Derren Nesbitt observed that Burton was drinking as many as four bottles of vodka per day.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/eagles-dare-50-burton-eastwood-plus-lot-vodka-made-worlds/ The Daily Telegraph]</ref>
Stuntman [[Alf Joint]], who had played Capungo – the man whom [[James Bond (literary character)|007]] electrocuted in the bathtub in ''[[Goldfinger (film)|Goldfinger]]'' – doubled and was stand-in for Richard Burton, and performed the famous cable car jump sequence, during which he lost three teeth.<ref name="cellulord.blogspot.co.uk"/> Joint stated that at one point during production, Burton was so drunk that he knocked himself out while filming and Joint had to quickly fill in for him.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://cellulord.blogspot.com/2010/01/where-eagles-dare_31.html?m=1|title=The cellulord is watching: Where Eagles Dare|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401145634/http://cellulord.blogspot.com/2010/01/where-eagles-dare_31.html?m=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Derren Nesbitt observed that Burton was drinking as many as four bottles of vodka per day.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/eagles-dare-50-burton-eastwood-plus-lot-vodka-made-worlds/ |title=The Daily Telegraph |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=3 July 2018 |access-date=20 October 2018 |archive-date=10 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710220310/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/eagles-dare-50-burton-eastwood-plus-lot-vodka-made-worlds/ |url-status=live |last1=Armstrong |first1=Neil }}</ref>


Visitors to the set included Burton's wife [[Elizabeth Taylor]],
Visitors to the set included Burton's wife [[Elizabeth Taylor]],
and [[Robert Shaw (actor)|Robert Shaw]], who was then married to Mary Ure.<ref name="cellulord.blogspot.co.uk"/>
and [[Robert Shaw (actor)|Robert Shaw]], who was then married to Mary Ure.<ref name="cellulord.blogspot.co.uk"/>


At one point during filming, Burton was threatened at gunpoint by an overzealous fan, but fortunately danger was averted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theclinteastwoodarchive.blogspot.com/2018/01/where-eagles-dare-terror-behind-scenes.html?m=1|title=The Clint Eastwood Archive: Where Eagles Dare: Terror behind the scenes!|date=3 January 2018}}</ref>
At one point during filming, Burton was threatened at gunpoint by an overzealous fan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theclinteastwoodarchive.blogspot.com/2018/01/where-eagles-dare-terror-behind-scenes.html?m=1|title=The Clint Eastwood Archive: Where Eagles Dare: Terror behind the scenes!|date=3 January 2018|access-date=20 October 2018|archive-date=21 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021111429/http://theclinteastwoodarchive.blogspot.com/2018/01/where-eagles-dare-terror-behind-scenes.html?m=1|url-status=live}}</ref>


The [[Junkers Ju 52]] used to fly Smith and Schaffer's team into Austria and then make their escape at the end of the film was a [[Swiss Air Force]] Ju 52/3m, registration A-702.<ref>[http://www.impdb.org/index.php?title=Where_Eagles_Dare Where Eagles Dare – The Internet Movie Plane Database]. Impdb.org (30 January 2015). Retrieved on 20 November 2015.</ref> It was destroyed in [[2018 Ju-Air Junkers Ju 52 crash|an accident on 4 August 2018]], killing all 20 people on board.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/05/up-to-20-feared-dead-in-swiss-alps-plane-crash | title = Swiss Alps plane crash leaves all 20 passengers and crew dead | last = Siddique | first = Haroon | date = 5 August 2018 | website = The Guardian | access-date = 5 August 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1400703 | title = 20 dead in Junkers Ju 52 crash in Switzerland | date = 4 August 2018| website = Airliners.Ne | access-date = 5 August 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20180804-0 | title = Aviation Safety Network | publisher = Flight Safety Foundation | access-date = 20 April 2019}}</ref>
The [[Junkers Ju 52]] used to fly Smith and Schaffer's team into Austria and then make their escape at the end of the film was a [[Swiss Air Force]] Ju 52/3m, registration A-702.<ref>[http://www.impdb.org/index.php?title=Where_Eagles_Dare Where Eagles Dare – The Internet Movie Plane Database] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030020951/http://www.impdb.org/index.php?title=Where_Eagles_Dare |date=30 October 2014 }}. Impdb.org (30 January 2015). Retrieved on 20 November 2015.</ref> It was destroyed in [[2018 Ju-Air Junkers Ju 52 crash|an accident on 4 August 2018]], killing all 20 people on board.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/05/up-to-20-feared-dead-in-swiss-alps-plane-crash | title = Swiss Alps plane crash leaves all 20 passengers and crew dead | last = Siddique | first = Haroon | date = 5 August 2018 | website = The Guardian | access-date = 5 August 2018 | archive-date = 5 August 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180805124844/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/05/up-to-20-feared-dead-in-swiss-alps-plane-crash | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1400703 | title = 20 dead in Junkers Ju 52 crash in Switzerland | date = 4 August 2018 | website = Airliners.Ne | access-date = 5 August 2018 | archive-date = 5 August 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180805051152/http://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1400703 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20180804-0 | title = Aviation Safety Network | publisher = Flight Safety Foundation | access-date = 20 April 2019 | archive-date = 16 December 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191216140052/https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20180804-0 | url-status = live }}</ref>
⚫
* The castle setting was [[Hohenwerfen Castle]], [[Werfen]], Austria; filmed in January 1968.
⚫
* Filming of the cable car and lower cable car station took place in January 1968 at the [[Feuerkogel]] Seilbahn at [[Ebensee]], Austria, and the close-ups were done on a soundstage. Scenes featuring the castle and the cable car together were filmed using a scale model.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thestudiotour.com/mgmborehamwood/backlot.shtml |title=the studiotour.com - MGM Borehamwood - Backlot |access-date=4 May 2021 |archive-date=26 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226163707/http://www.thestudiotour.com/mgmborehamwood/backlot.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://xtremelaser.com/MGMBRITISHSTUDIOS/gallery/where_eagles_dare/000134.htm |title=WED-MOUNTAIN-Image6-TXT |website=xtremelaser.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228200027/http://xtremelaser.com/MGMBRITISHSTUDIOS/gallery/where_eagles_dare/000134.htm |archive-date=28 February 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://mitteleuropa.ihostfull.com/filmlocations_where_eagles_dare.html |title=Film locations—Where Eagles Dare |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930193123/http://mitteleuropa.ihostfull.com/filmlocations_where_eagles_dare.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
⚫
* Airport scenes were filmed at the Flugplatz at [[Aigen im Ennstal]], Austria; filmed in early 1968. The exact place of filming is the ''"Fiala-Fernbrugg"'' [[garrison]], still used by ''HS Geschwader 2'' and ''FlAR2/3rd [[Battalion|Bat.]]'' of the Austrian Army. The big rocky mountain in the background of the airfield is the [[Grimming]] mountains, about 40&nbsp;km east of the "[[Hoher Dachstein]]", or about 80&nbsp;km east and 10&nbsp;km south from [[Werfen]].<ref>[http://www.whereeaglesdare.com/movie/index.php?page=trivia (Trivia)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131211017/http://whereeaglesdare.com/movie/index.php?page=trivia |date=31 January 2009 }}. Where Eagles Dare.com (3 January 1997). Retrieved on 20 November 2015.</ref>
⚫
* The village setting was [[Lofer]], Austria; filmed in January 1968.
⚫
* Other scenes were shot at [[MGM-British Studios]], [[Borehamwood]], England; filmed in spring 1968.<ref>[http://mitteleuropa.x10.mx/filmlocations_where_eagles_dare.html Where Eagles Dare (1968)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030002150/http://mitteleuropa.x10.mx/filmlocations_where_eagles_dare.html |date=30 October 2014 }}. Mitteleuropa.x10.mx. Retrieved on 20 November 2015.</ref>


==Release==
⚫
* The castle – [[Hohenwerfen Castle]], [[Werfen]], Austria; filmed in January 1968.
⚫
''Where Eagles Dare'' received a Royal premiere at the [[Empire, Leicester Square]] cinema on 22 January 1969 with [[Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy|Princess Alexandra]] in attendance. Of the stars of the film, only Clint Eastwood was not present as he was filming ''[[Two Mules for Sister Sara]]'' in Mexico.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.memorabilia-uk.co.uk/p/where-eagles-dare|title=Where Eagles Dare - Memorabilia UK|access-date=21 October 2018|archive-date=10 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010105702/https://www.memorabilia-uk.co.uk/p/where-eagles-dare|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Cable car – Feuerkogel Seilbahn at [[Ebensee]], Austria; filmed in January 1968.
⚫
*:Note: the scenes featuring the castle and the cable car together were filmed using a scale model.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thestudiotour.com/mgmborehamwood/backlot.shtml |title = the studiotour.com - MGM Borehamwood - Backlot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://xtremelaser.com/MGMBRITISHSTUDIOS/gallery/where_eagles_dare/000134.htm |title=WED-MOUNTAIN-Image6-TXT |website=xtremelaser.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228200027/http://xtremelaser.com/MGMBRITISHSTUDIOS/gallery/where_eagles_dare/000134.htm |archive-date=28 February 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>http://mitteleuropa.ihostfull.com/filmlocations_where_eagles_dare.html</ref>
⚫
* Airport scenes – Flugplatz at [[Aigen im Ennstal]], Austria; filmed in early 1968. The exact place of filming is the ''"Fiala-Fernbrugg"'' [[garrison]], still used by ''HS Geschwader 2'' and ''FlAR2/3rd [[Battalion|Bat.]]'' of the Austrian Army. The big rocky mountain in the background of the airfield is the [[Grimming]] mountains, about 40&nbsp;km east of the "[[Hoher Dachstein]]", or about 80&nbsp;km east and 10&nbsp;km south from [[Werfen]].<ref>[http://www.whereeaglesdare.com/movie/index.php?page=trivia (Trivia)]. Where Eagles Dare.com (3 January 1997). Retrieved on 20 November 2015.</ref>
⚫
* The village – [[Lofer]], Austria; filmed in January 1968.
⚫
* Other scenes – [[MGM-British Studios]], [[Borehamwood]], England; filmed in spring 1968.<ref>[http://mitteleuropa.x10.mx/filmlocations_where_eagles_dare.html Where Eagles Dare (1968)]. Mitteleuropa.x10.mx. Retrieved on 20 November 2015.</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==
⚫
''Where Eagles Dare'' received a Royal premiere at the [[Empire, Leicester Square]] cinema on 22 January 1969 with [[Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy|Princess Alexandra]] in attendance. Of the stars of the film, only Clint Eastwood was not present as he was filming ''[[Two Mules for Sister Sara]]'' in Mexico.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.memorabilia-uk.co.uk/p/where-eagles-dare|title = Where Eagles Dare - Memorabilia UK}}</ref>
{{Anchor|Box office}}
{{Anchor|Box office}}
The film was a huge success,<ref name="days">Preview: a young director and his $9 million cliff-hanger: 'Chat' pictures 'What's that?' 'Positive' alternatives
''Where Eagles Dare'' was a huge success,<ref name="days">Preview: a young director and his $9 million cliff-hanger: 'Chat' pictures 'What's that?' 'Positive' alternatives
By Roderick Nordell. The Christian Science Monitor 7 Mar 1969: 4.</ref> earning $6,560,000 at the North American box office during its first year of release.<ref>"Big Rental Films of 1969", ''Variety'', 7 January 1970 p. 15</ref> It was the seventh-most popular film at the UK box office in 1969, and 13th in the US.<ref>"The World's Top Twenty Films." Sunday Times [London, UK] 27 September 1970: 27. The Sunday Times Digital Archive. accessed 5 April 2014</ref>
By Roderick Nordell. The Christian Science Monitor 7 Mar 1969: 4.</ref> earning $6,560,000 at the North American box office during its first year of release.<ref>"Big Rental Films of 1969", ''Variety'', 7 January 1970 p. 15</ref> It was the seventh-most popular film at the UK box office in 1969, and 13th in the US.<ref>"The World's Top Twenty Films." Sunday Times [London, UK] 27 September 1970: 27. The Sunday Times Digital Archive. accessed 5 April 2014</ref>


{{Anchor|Critics|Critical response}}
{{Anchor|Critics|Critical response}}
Though many critics found the plot somewhat confusing, reviews of the film were generally positive.
Though many critics found the plot somewhat confusing, reviews of the film were generally positive.
[[Vincent Canby]] of the ''[[New York Times]]'' gave a positive review, praising the action scenes and cinematography.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/1969/03/13/archives/screen-in-the-war-tradition-where-eagles-dare.html | title = Screen: In the War Tradition, 'Where Eagles Dare' | newspaper = The New York Times | access-date = 20 April 2019}}</ref> Likewise, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' praised the film, describing it as 'thrilling'.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/1968/film/reviews/where-eagles-dare-1200421751/|title = Where Eagles Dare|date = January 1969}}</ref> The film was particularly lucrative for Richard Burton, who earned a considerable sum in royalties through television repeats and video sales.<ref>[http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/showbiz/richard-burton-classic-eagles-dare-2023177 Richard Burton classic Where Eagles Dare funds new literary prize]. Wales Online. Retrieved on 20 November 2015.</ref> ''Where Eagles Dare'' had its first showing on British television on 26 December 1979 on BBC1.
[[Vincent Canby]] of the ''[[New York Times]]'' gave a positive review, praising the action scenes and cinematography.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1969/03/13/archives/screen-in-the-war-tradition-where-eagles-dare.html | title = Screen: In the War Tradition, 'Where Eagles Dare' | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 13 March 1969 | access-date = 20 April 2019 | archive-date = 20 April 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190420173129/https://www.nytimes.com/1969/03/13/archives/screen-in-the-war-tradition-where-eagles-dare.html | url-status = live | last1 = Canby | first1 = Vincent }}</ref> Likewise, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' praised the film, describing it as 'Highly entertaining, thrilling and rarely lets down for a moment… more of a saga of cool, calculated courage, than any glorification of war.'.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://variety.com/1968/film/reviews/where-eagles-dare-1200421751/|title = Where Eagles Dare|date = Dec 31, 1968 |website=Variety |access-date = 20 December 2017|archive-date = 1 February 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180201063145/http://variety.com/1968/film/reviews/where-eagles-dare-1200421751/|url-status = live}}</ref> The film was particularly lucrative for Richard Burton, who earned a considerable sum in royalties through television repeats and video sales.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Turner |first=Robin |date=2012-10-31 |title=Richard Burton classic Where Eagles Dare funds new literary prize |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/showbiz/richard-burton-classic-eagles-dare-2023177 |access-date=20 November 2015 |website=Wales Online |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504113843/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/showbiz/richard-burton-classic-eagles-dare-2023177 |archive-date=4 May 2016 }}</ref> ''Where Eagles Dare'' had its first showing on British television on 26 December 1979 on BBC1.


''[[Mad Magazine]]'' published a satire of the film in its October 1969 issue under the title "Where Vultures Fare." In 2009 ''[[Cinema Retro]]'' released a special issue dedicated to ''Where Eagles Dare'' which detailed the production and filming of the film.<ref>[http://www.cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/6775-WHERE-EAGLES-DARE-THE-UPDATED-AND-REVISED-CINEMA-RETRO-SPECIAL-TRIBUTE-ISSUE.html "WHERE EAGLES DARE": THE UPDATED AND REVISED CINEMA RETRO MOVIE CLASSICS ISSUE NOW SHIPPING WORLDWIDE! – Celebrating Films of the 1960s & 1970s]. Cinemaretro.com. Retrieved on 20 November 2015.</ref>
''[[Mad Magazine]]'' published a satire of the film in its October 1969 issue under the title "Where Vultures Fare." In 2009 ''[[Cinema Retro]]'' released a special issue dedicated to ''Where Eagles Dare'' which detailed the production and filming of the film.<ref>{{cite web |url-status=live |url=http://www.cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/6775-WHERE-EAGLES-DARE-THE-UPDATED-AND-REVISED-CINEMA-RETRO-SPECIAL-TRIBUTE-ISSUE.html |title="Where Eagles Dare": the updated and revised cinema retro movie classics issue now shipping worldwide! |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227073008/http://www.cinemaretro.com/index.php?%2Farchives%2F6775-WHERE-EAGLES-DARE-THE-UPDATED-AND-REVISED-CINEMA-RETRO-SPECIAL-TRIBUTE-ISSUE.html |archive-date=27 December 2014 |website=Cinema Retro |access-date=20 November 2015 |date=August 2, 2012 }}</ref>


Years after its debut, ''Where Eagles Dare'' enjoys a reputation as a classic<ref name="TCM"/> and is considered by many as one of the best war films of all time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/oct/19/where-eagles-dare-action|title=Where Eagles Dare: No 24 best action and war film of all time|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=19 October 2010|access-date=23 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author1=Neil Armstrong0 |title=Where Eagles Dare at 50: how Burton and Eastwood – plus a lot of vodka – made the world's favourite war movie |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/eagles-dare-50-burton-eastwood-plus-lot-vodka-made-worlds/ |website=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |publisher=Telegraph Media Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710220310/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/eagles-dare-50-burton-eastwood-plus-lot-vodka-made-worlds/ |archive-date=10 July 2018 |date=3 July 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Others consider it entertaining but laughable. The formidable Nazis manage to kill no one, although they do manage to graze Smith's hand with a bullet, while the heroes have a seemingly endless supply of ammunition and hot-dog-package explosives, despite only parachuting in with three cargo canisters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Film/WhereEaglesDare|title = Where Eagles Dare}}</ref>
Years after its debut, ''Where Eagles Dare'' enjoys a reputation as a classic<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pickavance |first=Mark |date=2010-03-30 |title=Celebrating Where Eagles Dare |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/celebrating-where-eagles-dare/ |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810144657/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/celebrating-where-eagles-dare/ |archive-date= Aug 10, 2023 }}</ref><ref name="TCM"/> and is considered by many as one of the best war films of all time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/oct/19/where-eagles-dare-action|title=Where Eagles Dare: No 24 best action and war film of all time|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=19 October 2010|access-date=23 July 2013|archive-date=19 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219025151/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/oct/19/where-eagles-dare-action|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author1=Neil Armstrong |title=Where Eagles Dare at 50: how Burton and Eastwood – plus a lot of vodka – made the world's favourite war movie |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/eagles-dare-50-burton-eastwood-plus-lot-vodka-made-worlds/ |website=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |publisher=Telegraph Media Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710220310/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/eagles-dare-50-burton-eastwood-plus-lot-vodka-made-worlds/ |archive-date=10 July 2018 |date=3 July 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/apr/01/my-favourite-film-aged-12-where-eagles-dare | title=My favourite film aged 12: Where Eagles Dare | newspaper=The Guardian | date=April 2020 | last1=Hann | first1=Michael }}</ref> General praise is given towards Burton and Eastwood's performances, as well as the various actions scenes.<ref>Where Eagles Dare Reviews https://www.tvguide.com/movies/where-eagles-dare/review/2000045177/</ref> Director [[Steven Spielberg]] cited it as his favourite war film.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/dec/06/geoff-dyer-where-eagles-dare | title=Geoff Dyer on Where Eagles Dare | newspaper=The Observer | date=6 December 2009 | last1=Dyer | first1=Geoff }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://lithub.com/geoff-dyer-goes-deep-on-wwii-classic-where-eagles-dare/ | title=Geoff Dyer Goes Deep on WWII Classic Where Eagles Dare | date=26 February 2019 }}</ref> ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' film critic Ian Nathan gave the film three out of five stars, citing it as "A fine example of that war movie staple" and calling it, a "Classic War caper with a few too many plot contrivances but high on adventure".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/eagles-dare-review/|title=Where Eagles dare Review |date=8 March 2006 |publisher=Empireonline.com |access-date=November 30, 2023 }}</ref> From the review in The Movie Scene: ""Where Eagles Dare" is by no means a great movie but it achieves what it sets out to do and that is to deliver action, adventure and excitement in a [[The Boy's Own Paper|Boy's Own]] kind of way."<ref>{{cite web|title=Where Eagles Dare (1968)|work=Themoviescene.co.uk|url=https://www.themoviescene.co.uk/reviews/where-eagles-dare/where-eagles-dare.html}}</ref>

==Home media==
''Where Eagles Dare'' was released on [[Blu-ray]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Where Eagles Dare Blu-ray Review|url=https://www.avforums.com/reviews/where-eagles-dare-blu-ray-review.2316/ |author=McEneany, Chris |access-date=2023-11-30|website=AVForums|date=June 23, 2010 |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Soundtrack==
==Soundtrack==
Line 135: Line 154:
| artist = [[Ron Goodwin]]
| artist = [[Ron Goodwin]]
| cover = Where eagles dare.jpg
| cover = Where eagles dare.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| released = 4 January 2005
| released = 4 January 2005
| recorded =
| recorded =
| venue =
| venue =
| studio =
| studio =
| genre = [[Soundtrack]]s<br />[[Film music]]
| genre = [[Soundtrack]]s<br />[[Film music]]
| length = 74:07
| length = 74:07
| label = [[Film Score Monthly]]
| label = [[Film Score Monthly]]
| producer = Lukas Kendall
| producer = Lukas Kendall
| prev_title =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_title =
| next_year =
| next_year =
}}
}}


The score was composed by [[Ron Goodwin]]. A soundtrack was released on [[Compact Disc]] in 2005 by ''[[Film Score Monthly]]'', of the Silver Age Classics series, in association with Turner Entertainment. It was a two-disc release, the first CD being the film music, the second the film music for ''[[Operation Crossbow (film)|Operation Crossbow]]'' and source music for ''Where Eagles Dare''. The release has been limited to 3,000 pressings.
The score was composed by [[Ron Goodwin]]. A soundtrack was released on [[Compact Disc]] in 2005 by ''[[Film Score Monthly]]'', of the Silver Age Classics series, in association with Turner Entertainment. It was a two-disc release, the first CD being the film music, the second the film music for ''[[Operation Crossbow (film)|Operation Crossbow]]'' and source music for ''Where Eagles Dare''. The release has been limited to 3,000 pressings. The soundtrack has received critical acclaim.<ref name="MovieMusicUK">Craig Lysy, MovieMusicUK, 2021, https://moviemusicuk.us/2021/01/11/where-eagles-dare-ron-goodwin/</ref>


{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Disc one
| headline = Disc one


| all_writing =
| all_writing =
| title1 = Main Title
| title1 = Main Title
| length1 =
| length1 =
Line 214: Line 233:


| title20 = End Playout
| title20 = End Playout
| length20 =
| length20 =
}}
}}


==Novel==
==Novel==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Where Eagles Dare 1967 Novel Book Cover.jpg|thumb|upright|''Where Eagles Dare'', the 1967 first edition novel, by [[Alistair MacLean]]]] -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Where Eagles Dare 1967 Novel Book Cover.jpg|thumb|upright|''Where Eagles Dare'', the 1967 first edition novel, by [[Alistair MacLean]]]] -->
The principal difference is that the 1966 novel by [[Alistair MacLean]] is less violent. One scene during the escape from the castle where Smith saves a German guard from burning to death presaged the non-lethal thriller vein that MacLean would explore in his later career. In the novel the characters are more clearly defined and slightly more humorous than their depictions in the film, which is fast-paced and has sombre performances from Burton and Eastwood at its centre. Three characters are differently named in the novel: Ted Berkeley is called Edward Carraciola, Jock MacPherson is called Torrance-Smythe, and Major von Hapen is instead Captain von Brauchitsch. The love stories between Schaffer and Heidi and between Smith and Mary were also cut.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.theguardian.com/books/2005/sep/03/featuresreviews.guardianreview22 | title = I capture the castle | newspaper = The Guardian | access-date = 20 April 2019}}</ref> Indeed, in the novel Smith asks London to arrange for a priest to meet them at the airport.
The principal difference is that the 1966 novel by [[Alistair MacLean]] is less violent. One scene during the escape from the castle where Smith saves a German guard from burning to death presaged the non-lethal thriller vein that MacLean would explore in his later career. In the novel the characters are more clearly defined and slightly more humorous than their depictions in the film, which is fast-paced and has sombre performances from Burton and Eastwood at its centre. Three characters are differently named in the novel: Ted Berkeley is called Edward Carraciola, Jock MacPherson is called Torrance-Smythe, and Major von Hapen is instead Captain von Brauchitsch. The love stories between Schaffer and Heidi and between Smith and Mary were also cut.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.theguardian.com/books/2005/sep/03/featuresreviews.guardianreview22 | title = I capture the castle | newspaper = The Guardian | access-date = 20 April 2019 | archive-date = 9 April 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190409015625/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2005/sep/03/featuresreviews.guardianreview22 | url-status = live }}</ref> Indeed, in the novel Smith asks London to arrange for a priest to meet them at the airport.


In the book the group is flown into Germany on board an RAF [[Avro Lancaster]], whereas in the film they are transported in a ''[[Luftwaffe]]'' [[Junkers Ju 52]]. While in the film Kramer, Rosemeyer, and Von Hapen are shot dead by Schaffer and Smith, in the novel they are just given high doses of [[nembutal]]. In the book Thomas, Carraciola, and Christiansen attempt to escape in the cable car with Smith on the roof. Carraciola is crushed by the steel suspension arm of the cable car while struggling with Smith on the roof; Thomas and Christiansen fall to their deaths after Smith blows the cable car up with plastic explosive. In the film Christiansen is killed and Berkeley (Carraciola in the novel) incapacitated by Smith on the cable car (he dies apparently when the cable car explodes), and Thomas is shot and killed by a German soldier while climbing down a rope.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://warmoviebuff.blogspot.com/2015/07/bookmovie-where-eagles-dare-19671968.html?m=1|title=The War Movie Buff: BOOK/MOVIE: Where Eagles Dare (1967/1968)|date=29 July 2015}}</ref>
In the book the group is flown into Germany on board an RAF [[Avro Lancaster]], whereas in the film they are transported in a ''[[Luftwaffe]]'' [[Junkers Ju 52]]. While in the film Kramer, Rosemeyer, and von Hapen are shot dead by Schaffer, in the novel they are just given high doses of [[nembutal]]. In the book Thomas, Carraciola, and Christiansen attempt to escape in the cable car with Smith on the roof. Carraciola is crushed by the steel suspension arm of the cable car while struggling with Smith on the roof; Thomas and Christiansen fall to their deaths after Smith blows the cable car up with plastic explosive. In the film Christiansen is killed and Berkeley (Carraciola in the novel) incapacitated by Smith on the cable car (he dies when the cable car explodes), and Thomas is shot and killed by a German while climbing down a rope.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://warmoviebuff.blogspot.com/2015/07/bookmovie-where-eagles-dare-19671968.html?m=1|title=The War Movie Buff: BOOK/MOVIE: Where Eagles Dare (1967/1968)|date=29 July 2015|access-date=21 October 2018|archive-date=21 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021151256/https://warmoviebuff.blogspot.com/2015/07/bookmovie-where-eagles-dare-19671968.html?m=1|url-status=live}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
In 1979, cult punk act [[Misfits (band)|The Misfits]] released a single featuring a [[Where Eagles Dare (Misfits song)|song]] named after the film.

The British [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band [[Iron Maiden]] recorded a song called "Where Eagles Dare" on their 1983 album ''[[Piece of Mind]]''. The live performance features [[Bruce Dickinson]] in [[Snow camouflage#Second World War|snow camouflage]] and Richard Burton's "Broadsword calling Danny Boy" message as an intro.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/piece-of-mind-mw0000045853/awards |title=Iron Maiden – ''Piece of Mind'' ''Billboard'' Albums |work=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=22 November 2012}}</ref>

The 2000 video game ''[[Medal of Honor: Underground]]'' features a hidden extra mission "Where Beagles Dare", whose joke premise has the protagonist, an operative of the Allied forces, infiltrate a German castle inhabited by anthropomorphic, armed, dancing Nazi dogs.

[[Geoff Dyer]]'s long essay ''Broadsword Calling Danny Boy: On When Eagles Dare'' was published in 2018.


==References==
==References==
Line 239: Line 249:
* {{cite book|last=Hughes|first=Howard|title=Aim for the Heart|publisher=I.B. Tauris|year=2009|isbn=978-1-84511-902-7|location=London}}
* {{cite book|last=Hughes|first=Howard|title=Aim for the Heart|publisher=I.B. Tauris|year=2009|isbn=978-1-84511-902-7|location=London}}
* {{cite book|last=Munn|first=Michael|title=Clint Eastwood: Hollywood's Loner|publisher=Robson Books|location=London|year=1992|isbn=0-86051-790-X}}
* {{cite book|last=Munn|first=Michael|title=Clint Eastwood: Hollywood's Loner|publisher=Robson Books|location=London|year=1992|isbn=0-86051-790-X}}
*Dyer, Geoff (2018). ''Broadsword Calling Danny Boy.'' London: Penguin Books. {{ISBN|978-0141987620}}.
* Dyer, Geoff (2018). ''Broadsword Calling Danny Boy.'' London: Penguin Books. {{ISBN|978-0141987620}}.


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|id=0065207|title=Where Eagles Dare}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0065207|title=Where Eagles Dare}}
* {{TCMDb title|id=1518}}
* {{TCMDb title|id=1518}}
* {{AllMovie title|id=54199}}
* {{AFI film|id=23675|title=Where Eagles Dare}}
* {{AFI film|id=23675|title=Where Eagles Dare}}
* {{mojo title|id=whereeaglesdare|title= Where Eagles Dare}}
* {{mojo title|id=whereeaglesdare|title= Where Eagles Dare}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|where_eagles_dare}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|where_eagles_dare}}
* [http://www.alistairmaclean.com/ Film review at AlistairMacLean.com]
* [http://www.alistairmaclean.com/Where-Eagles-Dare-(1968).html Film review at AlistairMacLean.com]
* [http://www.whereeaglesdare.com/index.php Where Eagles Dare Website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180917081518/http://www.whereeaglesdare.com/index.php Where Eagles Dare website]
* [http://mitteleuropa.ihostfull.com/filmlocations_where_eagles_dare.html Film Locations used in ''Where Eagles Dare'']
* [http://mitteleuropa.hstn.me/filmlocations_where_eagles_dare.html Film locations used in ''Where Eagles Dare''], mitteleuropa
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1mQaZX4fDM Film Production for ''Where Eagles Dare'']
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1mQaZX4fDM Film Production for ''Where Eagles Dare'']{{dead link|date=January 2024}}
* "[https://dennisschwartzreviews.com/whereeaglesdare/ Where Eagles Dare]", 24 May 2008, Dennis Schwartz Reviews
* "[https://lwlies.com/articles/where-eagles-dare-turning-point-hollywood-action Where Eagles Dare marked a turning point for Hollywood action]" by Mark Allison, 22 September 2018, in ''Little White Lies''


<!--spacing-->
<!--spacing-->
Line 259: Line 270:


[[Category:1968 films]]
[[Category:1968 films]]
⚫
[[Category:1960s action adventure films]]
[[Category:1960s action war films]]
[[Category:1960s action war films]]
[[Category:1960s war adventure films]]
[[Category:1960s spy films]]
[[Category:British action war films]]
[[Category:British action war films]]
[[Category:British war adventure films]]
[[Category:British war adventure films]]
Line 265: Line 279:
[[Category:Films based on military novels]]
[[Category:Films based on military novels]]
[[Category:Films based on works by Alistair MacLean]]
[[Category:Films based on works by Alistair MacLean]]
⚫
[[Category:1960s war adventure films]]
[[Category:Novels set during World War II]]
[[Category:Novels set during World War II]]
[[Category:World War II spy films]]
[[Category:World War II spy films]]
Line 286: Line 299:
[[Category:Films shot at MGM-British Studios]]
[[Category:Films shot at MGM-British Studios]]
[[Category:1960s English-language films]]
[[Category:1960s English-language films]]
[[Category:1960s British films]]
[[Category:English-language action films]]
[[Category:English-language war adventure films]]

Latest revision as of 13:18, 7 January 2025

For other uses, see Where Eagles Dare (disambiguation).

Where Eagles Dare
UK quad crown release poster
by Howard Terpning
Directed byBrian G. Hutton
Screenplay byAlistair MacLean
Based onWhere Eagles Dare
1967 novel
by Alistair MacLean
Produced byElliott Kastner
Starring
CinematographyArthur Ibbetson
Edited byJohn Jympson
Music byRon Goodwin
Color processMetrocolor
Production
company
Winkast Film Productions
Distributed byMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date
  • 4 December 1968 (1968-12-04)
Running time
155 minutes
CountriesUnited States
United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget$6.2 million[1]–$7.7 million[2]
Box office$21 million[3]

Where Eagles Dare is a 1968 action adventure war thriller spy film directed by Brian G. Hutton and starring Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood and Mary Ure. Set during World War II, it follows a Special Operations Executive team charged with saving a captured American General from the fictional Schloß Adler fortress, except the mission turns out not to be as it seems. It was filmed in Panavision using the Metrocolor process, and was distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Alistair MacLean wrote the screenplay, his first, at the same time that he wrote the novel of the same name. Both became commercial successes.

The film involved some of the top filmmakers of the day and was shot on location in Austria. Hollywood stuntman Yakima Canutt was the second unit director and shot most of the action scenes; British stuntman Alf Joint doubled for Burton in many sequences, including the fight on top of the cable car; award-winning conductor and composer Ron Goodwin wrote the film score; and future Oscar nominee Arthur Ibbetson worked on the cinematography.

Where Eagles Dare received mostly positive critical reaction, with praise for its action sequences, score and the performances of Burton and Eastwood, and has since been considered a classic.[4][5]

Plot

[edit]

During World War II, MI6 officers Colonel Turner and Admiral Rolland assemble a commando team for a dangerous mission behind enemy lines: Major John Smith, Sargeants Harrod and MacPherson, Captains Lee Thomas, Ted Berkeley, and Olaf Christiansen, and U.S. Army ranger Lieutenant Morris Schaffer. Their task is to rescue American Brigadier General George Carnaby—a chief planner for the Western Front—captured by the Germans and held at Schloß Adler, an alpine mountaintop fortress in Bavaria, accessible only by cable car.

Disguised as German soldiers, the team parachutes near the castle. Harrod is found dead with a broken neck, and Smith deduces he was murdered. Smith secretly meets with his lover, British agent Mary Ellison, but keeps her involvement a secret from his men. Smith and his team infiltrate the village at the base of Schloß Adler where he meets undercover agent Heidi Schmidt, who has arranged for Mary to work inside the castle. Smith discloses to Mary that Carnaby's capture was staged by the British, and the General is actually American Corporal Cartwright Jones. Later, Smith discovers MacPherson dead.

When German forces arrive, ostensibly searching for deserters, Smith deduces his team has been betrayed and surrenders to avoid an unwinnable fight. Thomas, Berkeley, and Christiansen are taken to the castle, while Smith and Schaffer kill their captors en route and escape. They blow up a supply depot and use the ensuing chaos to infiltrate the castle via cable car. Inside, they meet Mary and secretly observe General Rosemeyer and Standartenführer Kramer interrogate Carnaby and introduce him to Thomas, Berkeley, and Christiansen, who are revealed as German double agents.

Smith and Schaffer intrude, weapons drawn on the men. However, Smith then forces Schaffer to surrender his weapon and identifies himself as Sturmbannführer Johann Schmidt of the Schutzstaffel's intelligence branch. He exposes Carnaby's identity and claims that Thomas, Berkeley, and Christiansen are MI6 agents impersonating German spies. Smith conveys proof of his identity by showing the name of Germany's top spy in Britain to Kramer, who silently affirms it, and challenges the double agents to prove themselves by listing the names of their fellow agents in Britain.

Afterward, Smith reveals the truth: believing German spies have extensively infiltrated British intelligence, MI6 identified Thomas, Berkeley, and Christiansen as suspects, and launched the mission to prove this and obtain the identities of their accomplices and commander. Schaffer then fatally shoots Kramer and Rosemeyer. The team and Carnaby make their escape, taking Thomas, Berkeley, and Christiansen as prisoners.

As alarms sound, Schaffer sets explosives around the castle while Smith radios Rolland for extraction. The group travel to the cable car station, sacrificing Thomas as a decoy. Berkeley and Christiansen break free and attempt their own escape in a cable car; both are thwarted and killed by Smith. Reunited with Heidi on the ground, the team uses a bus to battle their way onto an airfield and escape aboard a Ju 52 transport, with the waiting Turner.

In the air, Smith reveals that Kramer identified Turner as Germany's top spy in Britain, confirming Rolland's suspicions. Turner had chosen Smith to lead the mission because he believed he was a German double agent, unaware he had been working undercover for Rolland. To ensure the mission's success, Smith then secretly recruited Mary—his trusted ally—and Schaffer, who had no ties to the compromised MI6. To avoid a humiliating court martial and execution, Turner is permitted to jump from the aircraft to his death. As the exhausted operatives fly home, Schaffer wryly suggests that Smith keep his next mission "all-British".

Cast

[edit]
A photograph of Richard Burton
A photograph of Clint Eastwood
Richard Burton (pictured in 1961) and Clint Eastwood (1976)

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

Burton later said, "I decided to do the picture because Elizabeth (Taylor)'s two sons said they were fed up with me making films they weren't allowed to see, or in which I get killed. They wanted me to kill a few people instead."[6]

Burton approached producer Elliott Kastner "and asked him if he had some super-hero stuff for me where I don't get killed in the end."[7]

The producer consulted MacLean and requested an adventure film filled with mystery, suspense, and action. Most of MacLean's novels had been made into films or were being filmed. Kastner persuaded MacLean to write a new story; six weeks later, he delivered the script, at that time entitled Castle of Eagles. Kastner hated the title, and chose Where Eagles Dare instead. The title[8] is from Act I, Scene III, Line 71 in William Shakespeare's play Richard III: "The world is grown so bad, that wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch". Like virtually all of MacLean's works, Where Eagles Dare features his trademark "secret traitor", who must be unmasked by the end.

Kastner and co-producer Jerry Gershwin announced in July 1966 that they had purchased five MacLean scripts, starting with Where Eagles Dare and When Eight Bells Toll.[9] Brian Hutton had just made Sol Madrid for the producers and was signed to direct.[10]

Filming

[edit]
Festung Hohenwerfen, in Werfen, Austria, where the castle scenes were filmed

Eastwood and Burton reportedly dubbed the film 'Where Doubles Dare' due to the amount of screen time in which stand-ins doubled for the cast during action sequences.[4] Filming began on 2 January 1968 in Austria and concluded in July 1968.[11] Eastwood received a salary of $800,000 while Burton received $1,200,000.[11][12] This is one of the first sound films to have used front projection effect.[13] This technology enabled filming of the scenes where the actors are on top of the cable car.

Eastwood initially thought the script written by MacLean was "terrible" and was "all exposition and complications." According to Derren Nesbitt, Eastwood requested that he be given less dialogue. Most of Schaffer's lines were given to Burton, whilst Eastwood handled most of the action scenes.[14] Director Hutton played to his actors' strengths, allowing for Burton's theatrical background to help the character of Smith and Eastwood's quiet demeanour to establish Schaffer. Eastwood took the part on the advice of his agent, who felt it would be interesting to see his client appear with someone with seniority. Eastwood and Burton got along well on set.[15] Ingrid Pitt had spent part of her childhood in a concentration camp and reportedly found uncomfortable to work on the movie.[16]

Derren Nesbitt was keen to be as authentic as possible with the character of the suspicious Major von Hapen. Whilst on location, he requested to meet a former member of the Gestapo to better understand how to play the character and to get the military regalia correct. While dressed in his SS uniform, he caused a Baron to faint with shock and found out that he was Himmler's driver. Nesbitt said that the "Jewish chronicle called me afterwards and said, 'How could you play a German?' I said 'I do it because I play them very badly.' That seemed to satisfy them." He was injured on set whilst filming the scene in which Schaffer kills von Hapen. The blood squib attached to Nesbitt exploded with such force that he was temporarily blinded, though he made a quick recovery.[14][17]

The filming was delayed due to the adverse weather in Austria. Shooting took place in winter and early spring of 1968, and the crew had to contend with blizzards, sub-zero temperatures and potential avalanches. Further delays were incurred when Richard Burton, well known for his drinking binges, disappeared for several days, with his friends Peter O'Toole, Oliver Reed, Trevor Howard and Richard Harris.[18] As part of his deal with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Clint Eastwood took delivery of a Norton P11 motorcycle, which he 'tested' at Brands Hatch racetrack,[19] accompanied by Ingrid Pitt, something that he had been forbidden from doing by Kastner for insurance purposes in case of injury or worse.[20]

Stuntman Alf Joint, who had played Capungo – the man whom 007 electrocuted in the bathtub in Goldfinger – doubled and was stand-in for Richard Burton, and performed the famous cable car jump sequence, during which he lost three teeth.[18] Joint stated that at one point during production, Burton was so drunk that he knocked himself out while filming and Joint had to quickly fill in for him.[21] Derren Nesbitt observed that Burton was drinking as many as four bottles of vodka per day.[22]

Visitors to the set included Burton's wife Elizabeth Taylor, and Robert Shaw, who was then married to Mary Ure.[18]

At one point during filming, Burton was threatened at gunpoint by an overzealous fan.[23]

The Junkers Ju 52 used to fly Smith and Schaffer's team into Austria and then make their escape at the end of the film was a Swiss Air Force Ju 52/3m, registration A-702.[24] It was destroyed in an accident on 4 August 2018, killing all 20 people on board.[25][26][27]

  • The castle setting was Hohenwerfen Castle, Werfen, Austria; filmed in January 1968.
  • Filming of the cable car and lower cable car station took place in January 1968 at the Feuerkogel Seilbahn at Ebensee, Austria, and the close-ups were done on a soundstage. Scenes featuring the castle and the cable car together were filmed using a scale model.[28][29][30]
  • Airport scenes were filmed at the Flugplatz at Aigen im Ennstal, Austria; filmed in early 1968. The exact place of filming is the "Fiala-Fernbrugg" garrison, still used by HS Geschwader 2 and FlAR2/3rd Bat. of the Austrian Army. The big rocky mountain in the background of the airfield is the Grimming mountains, about 40 km east of the "Hoher Dachstein", or about 80 km east and 10 km south from Werfen.[31]
  • The village setting was Lofer, Austria; filmed in January 1968.
  • Other scenes were shot at MGM-British Studios, Borehamwood, England; filmed in spring 1968.[32]

Release

[edit]

Where Eagles Dare received a Royal premiere at the Empire, Leicester Square cinema on 22 January 1969 with Princess Alexandra in attendance. Of the stars of the film, only Clint Eastwood was not present as he was filming Two Mules for Sister Sara in Mexico.[33]

Reception

[edit]

Where Eagles Dare was a huge success,[34] earning $6,560,000 at the North American box office during its first year of release.[35] It was the seventh-most popular film at the UK box office in 1969, and 13th in the US.[36]

Though many critics found the plot somewhat confusing, reviews of the film were generally positive. Vincent Canby of the New York Times gave a positive review, praising the action scenes and cinematography.[37] Likewise, Variety praised the film, describing it as 'Highly entertaining, thrilling and rarely lets down for a moment… more of a saga of cool, calculated courage, than any glorification of war.'.[38] The film was particularly lucrative for Richard Burton, who earned a considerable sum in royalties through television repeats and video sales.[39] Where Eagles Dare had its first showing on British television on 26 December 1979 on BBC1.

Mad Magazine published a satire of the film in its October 1969 issue under the title "Where Vultures Fare." In 2009 Cinema Retro released a special issue dedicated to Where Eagles Dare which detailed the production and filming of the film.[40]

Years after its debut, Where Eagles Dare enjoys a reputation as a classic[41][4] and is considered by many as one of the best war films of all time.[42][43][44] General praise is given towards Burton and Eastwood's performances, as well as the various actions scenes.[45] Director Steven Spielberg cited it as his favourite war film.[46][47] Empire film critic Ian Nathan gave the film three out of five stars, citing it as "A fine example of that war movie staple" and calling it, a "Classic War caper with a few too many plot contrivances but high on adventure".[48] From the review in The Movie Scene: ""Where Eagles Dare" is by no means a great movie but it achieves what it sets out to do and that is to deliver action, adventure and excitement in a Boy's Own kind of way."[49]

Home media

[edit]

Where Eagles Dare was released on Blu-ray in 2010.[50]

Soundtrack

[edit]
Where Eagles Dare
Soundtrack album by
Ron Goodwin
Released4 January 2005
GenreSoundtracks
Film music
Length74:07
LabelFilm Score Monthly
ProducerLukas Kendall

The score was composed by Ron Goodwin. A soundtrack was released on Compact Disc in 2005 by Film Score Monthly, of the Silver Age Classics series, in association with Turner Entertainment. It was a two-disc release, the first CD being the film music, the second the film music for Operation Crossbow and source music for Where Eagles Dare. The release has been limited to 3,000 pressings. The soundtrack has received critical acclaim.[51]

Disc one
No.TitleLength
1."Main Title" 
2."Before Jump/Death of Harrod" 
3."Mary and Smith Meet/Sting on Castle/Parade Ground" 
4."Preparation in Luggage Office/Fight in Car" 
5."The Booby Trap" 
6."Ascent on the Cable Car" 
7."Death of Radio Engineer and Helicopter Pilot" 
8."Checking on Smith/Names in Notebook" 
9."Smith Triumphs Over Nazis" 
10."Intermission Playout" 
11."Entr'Acte" 
12."Encounter in the Castle" 
13."Journey Through the Castle Part 1" 
14."Journey Through the Castle Part 2" 
15."Descent and Fight on the Cable Car" 
16."Escape from the Cable Car" 
17."Chase, Part 1 and 2" 
18."The Chase in the Airfield" 
19."The Real Traitor" 
20."End Playout" 

Novel

[edit]

The principal difference is that the 1966 novel by Alistair MacLean is less violent. One scene during the escape from the castle where Smith saves a German guard from burning to death presaged the non-lethal thriller vein that MacLean would explore in his later career. In the novel the characters are more clearly defined and slightly more humorous than their depictions in the film, which is fast-paced and has sombre performances from Burton and Eastwood at its centre. Three characters are differently named in the novel: Ted Berkeley is called Edward Carraciola, Jock MacPherson is called Torrance-Smythe, and Major von Hapen is instead Captain von Brauchitsch. The love stories between Schaffer and Heidi and between Smith and Mary were also cut.[52] Indeed, in the novel Smith asks London to arrange for a priest to meet them at the airport.

In the book the group is flown into Germany on board an RAF Avro Lancaster, whereas in the film they are transported in a Luftwaffe Junkers Ju 52. While in the film Kramer, Rosemeyer, and von Hapen are shot dead by Schaffer, in the novel they are just given high doses of nembutal. In the book Thomas, Carraciola, and Christiansen attempt to escape in the cable car with Smith on the roof. Carraciola is crushed by the steel suspension arm of the cable car while struggling with Smith on the roof; Thomas and Christiansen fall to their deaths after Smith blows the cable car up with plastic explosive. In the film Christiansen is killed and Berkeley (Carraciola in the novel) incapacitated by Smith on the cable car (he dies when the cable car explodes), and Thomas is shot and killed by a German while climbing down a rope.[53]

References

[edit]

Notes

  1. ^ Webster, Jack (1991). Alistair MacLean: A Life. Chapmans. p. 133.
  2. ^ "Metro-Goldwyn Omits Dividend; O'Brien Resigns: Board Cites Possible Loss Of Up to $19 Million in The Current Fiscal Year Bronfman Named Chairman". Wall Street Journal. 27 May 1969. p. 2.
  3. ^ Hughes, p.194
  4. ^ a b c "Where Eagles Dare". TCM. Archived from the original on 11 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  5. ^ "The Spinning Image, Where Eagles Dare". thespinningimage.co.uk. 14 March 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  6. ^ "3 Companies Offer to Bankroll Burton Film". Los Angeles Times. 22 February 1968. p. d16.
  7. ^ Aba, Marika (21 July 1968). "The Burtons... 'Just Another Working Couple'". Los Angeles Times. p. c18.
  8. ^ "Broadsword Calling Danny-Boy... the making of Where Eagles Dare". Film Review 1998: republished in The Cellulord is Watching. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  9. ^ Martin, Betty (30 July 1966). "Gene Kelly to Do 'Married'". Los Angeles Times. p. 18.
  10. ^ "'Isadora' Shooting Under Way". Los Angeles Times. 7 September 1967. p. d20.
  11. ^ a b Hughes, pp.191–192
  12. ^ Munn, p. 79
  13. ^ Lightman, Herb A. "Front Projection for "2001: A Space Odyssey"". American Cinematographer. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  14. ^ a b A Conversation with Derren Nesbitt. "Major von Hapen" in "Where Eagles Dare" Archived 16 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine. YouTube (10 June 2013). Retrieved on 2015-11-20.
  15. ^ "The Clint Eastwood Archive: Eastwood Interviewed # 03 Clint on Clint Empire Magazine November 2008". 15 December 2009. Archived from the original on 20 October 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  16. ^ https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/celebrating-where-eagles-dare/
  17. ^ "Actor Injured as Burton Fires 'Shot'". Chicago Tribune. 25 April 1968. p. b30.
  18. ^ a b c the cellulord is watching: Where Eagles Dare Archived 4 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Cellulord.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved on 20 November 2015.
  19. ^ "Norton Motors homepage". Nortonmotors.de. Archived from the original on 26 November 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  20. ^ If Only Archived 15 March 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Ingridpitt.net. Retrieved on 20 November 2015.
  21. ^ "The cellulord is watching: Where Eagles Dare". Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  22. ^ Armstrong, Neil (3 July 2018). "The Daily Telegraph". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  23. ^ "The Clint Eastwood Archive: Where Eagles Dare: Terror behind the scenes!". 3 January 2018. Archived from the original on 21 October 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  24. ^ Where Eagles Dare – The Internet Movie Plane Database Archived 30 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Impdb.org (30 January 2015). Retrieved on 20 November 2015.
  25. ^ Siddique, Haroon (5 August 2018). "Swiss Alps plane crash leaves all 20 passengers and crew dead". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 5 August 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  26. ^ "20 dead in Junkers Ju 52 crash in Switzerland". Airliners.Ne. 4 August 2018. Archived from the original on 5 August 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  27. ^ "Aviation Safety Network". Flight Safety Foundation. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  28. ^ "the studiotour.com - MGM Borehamwood - Backlot". Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  29. ^ "WED-MOUNTAIN-Image6-TXT". xtremelaser.com. Archived from the original on 28 February 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  30. ^ "Film locations—Where Eagles Dare". Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  31. ^ (Trivia) Archived 31 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Where Eagles Dare.com (3 January 1997). Retrieved on 20 November 2015.
  32. ^ Where Eagles Dare (1968) Archived 30 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Mitteleuropa.x10.mx. Retrieved on 20 November 2015.
  33. ^ "Where Eagles Dare - Memorabilia UK". Archived from the original on 10 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  34. ^ Preview: a young director and his $9 million cliff-hanger: 'Chat' pictures 'What's that?' 'Positive' alternatives By Roderick Nordell. The Christian Science Monitor 7 Mar 1969: 4.
  35. ^ "Big Rental Films of 1969", Variety, 7 January 1970 p. 15
  36. ^ "The World's Top Twenty Films." Sunday Times [London, UK] 27 September 1970: 27. The Sunday Times Digital Archive. accessed 5 April 2014
  37. ^ Canby, Vincent (13 March 1969). "Screen: In the War Tradition, 'Where Eagles Dare'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  38. ^ "Where Eagles Dare". Variety. 31 December 1968. Archived from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  39. ^ Turner, Robin (31 October 2012). "Richard Burton classic Where Eagles Dare funds new literary prize". Wales Online. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  40. ^ ""Where Eagles Dare": the updated and revised cinema retro movie classics issue now shipping worldwide!". Cinema Retro. 2 August 2012. Archived from the original on 27 December 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  41. ^ Pickavance, Mark (30 March 2010). "Celebrating Where Eagles Dare". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023.
  42. ^ "Where Eagles Dare: No 24 best action and war film of all time". The Guardian. 19 October 2010. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  43. ^ Neil Armstrong (3 July 2018). "Where Eagles Dare at 50: how Burton and Eastwood – plus a lot of vodka – made the world's favourite war movie". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on 10 July 2018.
  44. ^ Hann, Michael (April 2020). "My favourite film aged 12: Where Eagles Dare". The Guardian.
  45. ^ Where Eagles Dare Reviews https://www.tvguide.com/movies/where-eagles-dare/review/2000045177/
  46. ^ Dyer, Geoff (6 December 2009). "Geoff Dyer on Where Eagles Dare". The Observer.
  47. ^ "Geoff Dyer Goes Deep on WWII Classic Where Eagles Dare". 26 February 2019.
  48. ^ "Where Eagles dare Review". Empireonline.com. 8 March 2006. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  49. ^ "Where Eagles Dare (1968)". Themoviescene.co.uk.
  50. ^ McEneany, Chris (23 June 2010). "Where Eagles Dare Blu-ray Review". AVForums. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  51. ^ Craig Lysy, MovieMusicUK, 2021, https://moviemusicuk.us/2021/01/11/where-eagles-dare-ron-goodwin/
  52. ^ "I capture the castle". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 9 April 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  53. ^ "The War Movie Buff: BOOK/MOVIE: Where Eagles Dare (1967/1968)". 29 July 2015. Archived from the original on 21 October 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.

Bibliography

  • Hughes, Howard (2009). Aim for the Heart. London: I.B. Tauris. ISBN 978-1-84511-902-7.
  • Munn, Michael (1992). Clint Eastwood: Hollywood's Loner. London: Robson Books. ISBN 0-86051-790-X.
  • Dyer, Geoff (2018). Broadsword Calling Danny Boy. London: Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0141987620.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Where_Eagles_Dare&oldid=1267952235"