Where Eagles Dare

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

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

Contents

1 Plot
2 Principal cast
3 Production
4 Trivia
5 External links

Plot

[Spoiler warningSpoiler warning]: Plot and/or ending details follow.

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

Principal cast

Richard Burton : Smith
Clint Eastwood : Schaffer
Mary Ure : Mary
Patrick Wymark : Turner
Michael Hordern Rolland
Donald Houston : Christiansen
Peter Barkworth : Berkeley
William Squire : Thomas
Robert Beatty : Carnaby
Brook Williams : Harrod
Neil McCarthy : MacPherson
Vincent Ball : Carpenter
Anton Diffring: Kramer
Ferdy Mayne : Rosemeyer
Derren Nesbitt: Von Hapen
Victor Beaumont: Weissner
Ingrid Pitt: Heidi

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

Production

Director: Brian G. Hutton
Producer: Elliott Kastner
Screenplay: Alistair MacLean
Cinematography: Arthur Ibbetson
Music: Ron Goodwin
Produced: 1968, by Winkast
Certification: UK: PG / USA: PG / Sweden: 15 yoa
Subsequent cinema release dates: January 23, 1969 (Sweden), March 6, 1969 (West Germany), March 7, 1969 (Finland), March 12, 1969 (USA),
Filming Locations: Burg Hohenwerfen, Werfen, Austria; in January 1968, Ebensee (Austria); in January 1968, Airport scenes filmed in Aigen/Ennstal (Austria); in early 1968, Borehamwood Studios, Hertfordshire, England; in spring 1968

Trivia

Joe d'Amato stole footage from this film for use in his movie Ator l'invincibile 2 (also known as Blademaster or Cave Dwellers). The footage can be seen during Ator l'invincibile 2's infamous hang glider scenes.
The title is taken from Act I, Scene III in William Shakespeare's Richard III: "The world is grown so bad, that wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch".
The driving force behind the film was Richard Burton's son, who wanted to see his father in a good old-fashioned adventure movie. Burton approached producer Elliott Kastner for ideas, who asked Alistair MacLean. At that time, most of MacLean's novels had either been made into films, or were in the process of being filmed. Kastner persuaded MacLean to write a new story. Six weeks later, MacLean delivered the script.
Fans of the book/movie sometimes utter the phrase, "Broadsword calling Danny Boy", in a room full of strangers, to secretly identify themselves as fans (Broadsword and Danny Boy were radio call-signs used in Where Eagles Dare).
Clint Eastwood has his largest body count in this movie.
Eastwood referred to the film as "Where Doubles Dare" given the number of stunts and stuntmen that were required.
The sequence showing Clint Eastwood looking at the Schloss Adler through binoculars as Richard Burton approaches from behind has one strange peculiarity. Eastwood's hands are not holding the binoculars.
This film is the subject of an Iron Maiden song of the same name, from their album Piece of Mind.
This is a favourite movie of the director Quentin Tarantino and he has said that he would like to remake the film at some point in the future if given the opportunity.
This movie was the last movie Clint Eastwood ever made for which he did not receive top billing, it instead going to Richard Burton.

External links

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