Where Eagles Dare (1969)

Plot Outline: An elite team of spies and commandos attempt to rescue an Allied hostage from a mountain-top castle which is also a German stronghold. But there is a traitor in their ranks and the team is gradually getting smaller as they meet obstacles and double-crossing on their way to the stronghold. Can they complete the mission and find out who the traitor really is before he does his job and stops them?

The Review: Based upon a novel by Alastair MacLean, Where Eagles Dare isn't as good as his more famous novel, The Guns of Navarone, although comparing them is a pretty stupid thing to do even though they practically follow the same sort of plot. It's straightforward to start with as all of these "commando team" films are as we're introduced to each of the team and know their specialities and why they're on the mission, etc. but as suspicion grows about sabotage in the ranks, some red herrings are thrown in to try and make us guess who the traitor is. The film gradually builds up with a slow, talky start until they finally embark upon their mission but once the pay-off with the infiltration of the castle starts, you're greatly rewarded for your patience. There is a scene in the castle where the entire plot goes to pieces however and we hear about 5 different twists at once as everyone claims everyone else is the spy in order to confuse the Germans and the traitor. Even Eastwood's character in the film says he's confused at this point! And so was I for a while, until it sorted itself out again and the action took centre stage, including a thrilling fight on a moving cable car and one which James Bond would be proud of. The only way to get to the castle is by cable car and of course, it's not going to be a case of climbing inside and letting the ride take off itself - the only way is to crawl along the long cable! One of the strengths of Alistair MacLean novels turned into films is their ability to attract a decent cast. Here Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood both play their characters to perfection and try to "out cool" the other (Eastwood even out-squints the Germans too!). Throw in the Germans as the bad guys (obviously since it's a WW2 film) and this is a cracking romp which can't fail.

Final Verdict: It may be over-shadowed by his more famous novel, The Guns of Navarone, but Where Eagles Dare is still very worthwhile watching.

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