Perhaps I've been jaded by the kinetic fast paced action films of the past ten years, but I found WHERE EAGLES DARE a hit and miss film. Although it has a lot of action scenes, they come too far and few, and seem ridiculously drawn out and predictable. Alistair MacLean is rightfully considered a master of WWII and espionage thrillers and he certainly has wrought a complex, often confusing, plot in this rescue mission in the Alps. With Clint Eastwood the only American in the cast, EAGLES is full of noted British character actors and actresses and of course the unflappable presence of Richard Burton. The acting is so refined however that I had a hard time imagining Burton as such a dashing and capable warrior. The late lovely Mary Ure who had worked with Burton in LOOK BACK IN ANGER is merely a feminine presence in this film, but a darned good shot. Notable character actors Anton Diffring, Michael Hordern, Ferdy Mayne and Donald Houston also offer some classy support. But WHERE EAGLES DARE was too long and too convoluted for my taste. I'm not sure I understand even now who was on whose side. The locations and cinematography are gorgeous, though, and if you like this kind of espionage film, you'll probably like WHERE EAGLES DARE.

This movie is good. I thought that it was going to be boring, but I was suprised I enjoyed it so much. It takes place in a snowy valley where the Germans have a castle stonghold. Lots of spy stuff and Clint Eastwood action. GOOD ENDING

Never has any World War II fictional movie been as suspenseful as those based from the novels of Alistair MacLean where it involves espionage and daring life at risk attempts such as "The Guns of Navarone", "Force Ten from Navarone" and "Where Eagles Dare". All of these MacLean novels fit the criteria where one would wonder "what will happen next?"

"Where Eagles Dare" has a great cast of characters with two veteran actors such as Richard Burton who plays the British commander Major Smith and Clint Eastwood as the only American involved in the rescue attempt, Army Ranger Lieutenant Schaffer, who make a daring attempt to rescue an American general before they could make him talk inside the fortress castle called the "Schloss Adler" (Castle of the Eagles).

The movie was, perhaps, a little too modern for its time. The helicopter, in reality, was planned and under development around the time of World War II in America by Igor Sikorsky, but was not put into use until sometime before the Korean War. The downside of the movie was that of a Gestapo chief, Major Von Hapen (Derren Nesbitt), wearing a black SS Schutzstaffel uniform when, in reality, the Gestapo was a civilian organization. These were made up of agents that did not wear armbands or uniforms since they had to secretly spy on the general public throughout Nazi Germany and occupied countries under their control. The upside of the movie was the mind-boggling by Major Smith shortly after he and Lieutenant Schaffer confront the "general's" captors and British double agents while they were questioning him. One would have to watch the movie more than once in order to understand this segment of the plot. The fight scene on the cable car was also exciting to watch as was the destruction of the Schloss Adler while the daring escape took place.

Overall, this action-packed movie was brilliantly conceived as it was exciting to watch.

After watching this movie countless times over the last twenty-five years and having seen practically every movie that has ever been shown about World War II I can honestly say that this is second to none. Burton and Eastwood are at their best. The plot, settings, music, and scenery are second only to the twists and turns that keep you guessing until the last moments. Despite the number of times that I have viewed this movie, it gives me sewaty palms every time I put it in the player. A must see!!!!

Where Eaqles Dare is probably only second to The Dirty Dozen as the greatest Action flick about WWII. Like that movie it concerns a daring plot with a group of highly skilled soldiers sent to carry out the mission. led by British officer major Smith (Richard Burton) and American Ranger Lt. Schaffer (Clint Eastwood) the agents seek to rescue a captured American General from a Nazi fortress who has sensitive knowledge of the D-Day invasion.

While obviously an action adventure movie, it's more specifically a `team mission' movie like The Dirty Dozen or a `penetrate the impenetrable fortress' movie. Talk about not making 'em like this any more! There are plenty of fight scenes, chases and Nazi shoot-em-ups. There are the usual stereo-typical Germans, the ruthless Gestapo officer, the stern commander, the visiting General and tons of German soldiers. No problem, ole Clint mows down a whole battalion single handedly. Burton cuts down a company or two himself and both he and Eastwood emerge with nary a scratch.

But hey...this isn't supposed to be a historically accurate film. This is pure, popcorn entertainment with gunfights, fist fights, cliff-hangers (literally) stereotypical nazi villians who can't hit the broad side of the barn and good ol' American and er... British heroes.

The script is entertaining and has a few notable twists in it, a testament to the skill of screenwriter and adventure novelist Alistair MacClain. Character development is not of particular importance in this story and yet one does come away with a palpable sense of Major Smith, a fact that I again acknowledge is the handywork of Burton, whose presence is auspicious regardless of his role.

At three hours it may be a bit overlong but it seems to fly by for the most part. A real classic of the genre and a great precursor to modern day action flicks.