Customer Reviews

The Eagle Has Landed

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(27)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

At long last, one of my favourite "fictional" World War II films is finally out on DVD and the transfer is excellent all round. And even better, there is now a "Special Edition" Region 2 release available on the Amazon UK website with an additional 17 minutes of footage, interviews with Michael Caine, Donald Sutherland & Donald Pleasance, theatrical trailers, biographies on cast & crew plus interviews from British news programs !

The 1970's was a decade when war movies were filled with mercenaries, commando's and full guns blazing action....and "The Eagle has Landed" is no exception, but a better told tale than many others !

Director John Sturges ( "The Great Escape", "The Magnificent Seven", "Ice Station Zebra" ) in his final directorial role shows once again why he was one sharpest action / suspense film directors of the 1960/70's with this exciting filming of the best selling Jack Higgins novel. What makes this film so enjoyable, and able to withstand repeated viewings is the talented cast at the centre of this twisting tale of spies and espionage. German officer Kurt Steiner (Michael Caine) is the disgraced leader of a group of crack German paratroopers that have been exiled to operate an MTB boat in the English Channel. Opportuntity comes their way in the form of Colonel Radl (Robert Duvall), with an incredible plot to secretly parachute into England and kidnap Winston Churchill from a country retreat. Donald Pleasance turns in a chilling performance as SS leader, Heinrich Himmler...Donald Sutherland in fine form as the IRA ally, Liam Devlin...Larry Hagman is the pompous and foolhardy Colonel Pitts and Treat Willians (in his first movie role) as the wiser and more wary American Ranger, Captain Clark. Attractive Jenny Agutter contributes the love interest as Molly Prior, and icy Jean Marsh puts in a cold blooded display as the Nazi sympathasier, Joanna Grey.

"The Eagle has Landed" has some great twists and turns and never lets the viewer relax as the story holds a keen balance between action, suspense, romance and tragedy. Highly recommended for those who like intrigue and adventure in their WWII movies !!

A highly entertaining and different WWII film that stands out from the rest.

The Eagle Has Landed a film based on the Jack Higgins novel of the same name is a great film. This is story telling at its best. I read the book when it was published back in the 1970's and enjoyed it immensly. It was a real page turner. And, that is what is great about the film version of this story. The Film holds true to the novel, which in my opinion, is the exception and not the rule in film making.

Director, John Sturges, lays the story out visually, bit by bit, building to a great conclusion. In this age of over the top special effects, and especially the extreme portrayal of the violence of war, we see in many films Sturges gets his point across by painting a picture with a good screen play and great acting. Sturges grabs the viewers attention and does not let go.

The story involves a once hero of the Nazi regime, exiled to suicidal duty for refusing to round up Jews for the SS. I am not giving away too much when I tell you that it involves a German plot to assasinate Winston Churchill, which may have some basis in fact. Michael Caine plays the professional German soldier, but now disgraced in the eyes of the Hitler regime, part of Col. Steiner. What I appreciated about Caine's performance is that he plays this doomed character as the professional soldier he is and avoids the pit falls of a fanatical over the top killing machine. Larry Hagman as the incompetent, politically connected American Colonel, is hilareous. Finally, Donald Sutherland as the Irish Patriot come Nazi spy is chilling. Simply, there is not a bad performance in this film.

The Eagle Has Landed is a great film to watch if you need a break from the over the top realism of more recent films and series about World War II. It is a good action packed story that can be enjoyed by the whole family. This one is a recommended buy for your DVD collection.

What if you're German, the march to victory has been stalled, D-Day looms, and you're facing a decidedly unfavorable endgame in World War Two? You learn that British Prime Minister Winston Churchill is going to holiday in a secluded village in the north of England. Are times desperate enough to attempt a kidnapping of Churchill and, perhaps, hold him hostage to a negotiated peace?

If you're novelist Jack Higgins, or later director John Sturges, the answer is yes. THE EAGLE HAS LANDED takes that `what if' and, more or less, delivers solid entertainment. The all-star cast is headed by Michael Caine, who plays Col. Kurt Steiner, a maverick leader of a group of seasoned German paratroopers. Robert Duvall is the brains behind the project, eye-patch wearing Col. Max Radl. Donald Sutherland, sporting a shock of red hair and a rolling brogue is Liam Devlin, an Irish Nationalist with a deep and abiding hatred of the British Empire.

There are a lot of things to like about THE EAGLE HAS LANDED. The premise is certainly plausible enough. Action movies on this scale don't reward in-depth character studies, and the all-star cast is able to deliver on those terms. The actors have to indicate rather than explore their character's personality, a shorthand approach that builds sympathy by indication rather than examination. Stars with a capital S seem uniquely able to deliver on these terms, and the three stars don't disappoint. Director John Sturges is even able to accomplish that most difficult of tasks - incorporating a love story, of sorts, into the picture - between the young and romantically foolish Jenny Agutter and the duplicitous Sutherland character - without interfering with or derailing the action.

There are things to dislike about the movie, though. Larry Hagman, as a shrill American colonel, is introduced late in the movie and adds a sour note to things. The Caine character, who the movie goes out of its way in the early goings to establish sympathy for, ends his career in the film on a jarring note as well. I won't give anything away but I didn't buy, at all, his last action.

Still, the acting is good (ignore, if you can, the Cockney accent that Caine seems incapable of burying completely,) the English village is convincing - I believed I was in a real English village circa 1943 - and the `what if' quality was intriguing enough to keep me involved. A good enough movie for us fans of war stories, endorsed with reservations.

A war film with heart, that shows fleshed-out characters on both sides of the conflict, instead of one-dimensional, heroes-vs-Colonel Klink stereotypes, this is everything "Where Eagles Dare" was not. It's a drama with a lot of action, or an action film with a lot of drama, depending on how you look at it. Jack Higgins wrote the book, which is supposedly based on a real-life 1943 operation by German intelligence to kidnap Winston Churchill. Robert Duvall (Radl) and Michael Caine (Steiner) are the Germans but not the bad guys in a film that is all the more sad because there are no real bad guys as such -- just professionals doing their jobs on each other for their respective countries. Donald Pleasance is cooly briliant as Himmler and Donald Sutherland is alternately clownish, charming, and ruthless as the IRA triggerman Devlin. Treat Williams gives a moving turn as the American ranger who has more respect for his German opponent Steiner than his commanding officer, played with delightful cartoon villainy by Larry Hagman. The battle scenes are long in coming, but worth the wait, and both Caine and Duvall
are first-rate as two equally likable but very different professional soldiers taking on a task both knows is not only ulikely to succeed, but almost certain to get both of them killed. Action movies are almost never antiwar in theme, but "The Eagle Has Landed" makes as good a case as "Saving Private Ryan" of the stupidity and waste inherent in war.

This is one of the best war movies ever made. The film is based on the Jack Higgins novel were a crack team of German paratroops try to kidnap Winston Churchill why he is staying at a country house in Norfolk. The plot is perhaps a little thin but the action moves along at a fast and furious pace! It also has a great cast which includes Donald Sutherland, Michael Caine and Robert Duvall. If you are a fan of Jack Higgins buy this movie now!

I always felt this movie was ahead of it's time, and it's a fairly faithful interpretation of the excellent Jack Higgins novel of the same name. Michael Caine plays Col Steiner, a specialist and decorated leader of an elite paratrooper force, recruited by Col Radl (Robert Duvall) on a top secret mission to kidnap Winston Churchill. As hair brained as the scheme appears, Caine and his team appear to have a reasonable chance at success as the movie builds, and the storyline moves nicely with a tension and drama that is often gripping. There is some interesting social comment going on here as well with regard to the portrayal of Caine and his men, in so far as they were brave and honorable, and for the most part following orders, without subscribing to politics. In 1976 Germany was still trying to shrug off it's past and having spent some time there, I know you really didn't have to look far to find members of the now older generation, who were outrightly opposed to the Nazi regime. This side of Caines character (that infuriates his superiors) cleverly puts you the audience almost on his side, and like the more recent, and excellent Movie "Das Boot", you watch, and realise that soldiers were soldiers during this awful conflict, regardless of uniform color, driven more often by patriotism, than fanatiscism. Donald Sutherland is excellent as Devlin, a German / Irish spy sent ahead to the small English village with the help of some local collaboration, to pave the way for Caine and his men. Larry Hagman is intentionally laughably inadeqaute as the Officer in charge of the local American detachment on guard, who seem to be no match for Caines elite band. There are a few twists and turns, and the action flicks between the mission in England, and Duvall's angst in France, knowing he takes the glory OR the blame depending on how the events turn out. This is an excellent war movie, with solid acting, an airtight script and clever direction. Yet another release that drifted away into obscurity after failing to please at the box office, it's a welcome DVD release, and superb entertainment. Enjoy.

I purchased this Blu-ray from Amazon's UK site for $15, shipped via my parents house in Scotland, which is far less (even with shipping) than the $38 that Amazon is charging US customers (as of Feb. 6, 2009). I thought the transfer was fantastic, with crisp colors and attention to detail, certainly better than the subpar DVD release. Though this is a UK Blu-ray the movie (as with most of ITV's releases) plays fine on American BD players and this is the best presentation I have ever seen of the movie. I see the BD listed here is released by a different studio and by the sound of things the print on that release is less than steller, which is another reason to check out Amazon's UK site.
Based on the fantastic novel of the same name by Jack Higgins this follows an attempt by the Germans to kidnap British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the latter days of WWII. The commando's leader is played by Michael Caine who turns in a fantastic performance. Also appearing is Donald Sutherland, Robert Duval, Donald Pleasance and Treat Williams, even check for a pre-DALLAS Larry Hagman.
Classic WWII adventure, with great script, tense action and a nice high definition transfer this Blu-ray comes recommended.

"The Eagle Has Landed" on Blu Ray only confirms what most film fans fear the most - film companies are only too willing to screw us again. While the print isn't exactly the direst I've ever seen - it isn't exactly clean or clear either - which is what you want on this new format. The print in my opinion is awful throughout - blurry, washed out and undefined.

Sure it looks ok from a distance, but that's about it! And the outer box cleverly avoids any mention of a remaster or a clean up. There are no extras on it either. When you look at the pristine transfers given to "Zulu", "2001: A Space Odyssey", "Cool Hand Luke", the "Bond" movies or even the beautiful print on "The Shawshank Redemption" - all 'old' movies that have been cleaned up properly - then you know what a dog this presentation is.

You wouldn't mind if the movie was any good either - it isn't. First we're treated to Robert Duvall and Anthony Quail playing Germans officers to almost laughable effect, then Michael Caine appears as the 'good' German paratrooper who tries to save a Jew (as if they'd even bother), and the icing on this particularly twisted cake finally comes with Donald Sutherland playing the 'top of the morning' Irishman, an IRA conspirator with a whiskey in his hand and a smile on his face. His hammy performance is an embarrassment - all of them involved in a last-ditch plot to capture Churchill.

Time hasn't been kind to "The Eagle Has Landed" I'm afraid. Instead of being a great yarn - it now comes across as a God-awful film. But this review is for those who do like the movie. What I'd say is this - save your hard earned if you're hoping for a picture upgrade on the new format of Blu Ray. Try to hire it first if you can, so you can see for yourself just how washed out it looks. A big disappointment.

Unless you absolutely adore this film - avoid like the plague.

I've read a couple of World War II "What if" books which describe the opposite outcome of a battle. For instance, what if the Germans had fought off the invasion fleet at Normandy?, or what if the Americans had been alert and prepared when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor? This movie raises an equally compelling question; what would the British have done if Winston Churchill were captured by the Germans? This movie offers an interesting opinion.

Led by an all-star cast including Michael Caine (Kurt Steiner), Robert Duvall (Col. Radl), Donald Pleasance (Heinrich Himmler), Donald Sutherland (Liam Devlin), Larry Hagman (Col. Pitts), Treat Williams (Capt. Clark), Jenny Agutter (Molly Prior), and Jean Marsh (JoAnna Grey), this movie explores one of the greatest "What ifs" of World War II.

Steiner's paratrooper unit has been disgraced due to an incident with a female Jewish refugee. Now, instead of fighting, they are reduced to operating an MTB boat in the English Channel. However, everything is about to change, as Colonel Radl brings plans of a daring mission to Steiner; a plan to capture Winston Churchill. Steiner accepts the mission, and he, along with his paratrooper unit, are dropped near the coastal village where Churchill is to be staying.

Along with Steiner's group is Devlin, a member of the IRA who desperately hates the British. The Germans have another contact, Joanna Grey, stationed near the village.

The drop is a success, and soon, the paratroopers are moving toward their objective. However, Devlin meets Molly Prior, a local girl much younger than himself, and falls in love with her. Will this turn of events endanger the mission?

All seems to be going well, as the paratroopers, dressed in Polish uniforms, reach the village where Churchill is expected to arrive. The Germans kept their German uniforms on under the Polish ones, and this turns disasterous for them, as one of the soldiers jumps into the water to save a little girl from drowning. His Polish uniform gets torn, revealing his German uniform. Now, Steiner and his men must round up the villagers and hide them.

To make matters worse, an American Ranger unit has discovered the German force, and a firefight breaks out between the two forces. Will the Americans win, or will the Germans be successful in their attempt to capture Churchill?

I thought this was a good movie. Given that it is a fictional account, it does raise some valid questions. Would the British have continued to fight if their beloved Prime Minister had been captured? What would the Germans have done with him? Would they have killed him? As for the movie itself, I enjoyed the story very much. The acting was very good, although I was disappointed with Larry Hagman's performance.

I recommend this movie to World War II enthusiasts. What if the Germans had actually tried such a mission? What would the consequences have been for the Allies? Thank goodness we never had to find out.

Title: The Eagle Has Landed
Released: 1977
Rated: PG
Runtime: 2 hours 11 minutes
Directed by: John Sturges
Starring: Michael Caine as Col. Kurt Steiner
Donald Sutherland as Liam Devlin
Robert Duvall as Col. Max Radl
Jenny Agutter as Molly Prior
Donald Pleasence as Heinrich Himmler
Anthony Quayle as Admiral Canaris
Treat Williams as Capt. Clark
Larry Hagman as Col. Pitts

Great cast in durable war movie based on the 1975 best seller of the same name by Jack Higgins. The movie details the fictional attempt by the Germans to capture British Prime Minister Winston Churchill during World War II. The story takes place in 1943 shortly after the daring rescue of Italian leader Benito Mussolini from a mountaintop fortress by German paratroopers. This gives the German high command the idea of seizing Churchill and transporting him to Germany, in the hopes of leading Britain to seek peace. Admiral Canaris (Quayle) assigns Col. Radl (Duvall) to come up with a plan to appease the command staff. To his suprise, Radl finds that although farfetched, the plan is possible. Churchill is scheduled to visit a chateau near a small coastal village (that just happens to be imbedded with a German spy) and Radl sees this as an opportunity to snatch him away. He chooses Col. Steiner (Caine) and his small detachment of elite paratroopers to carry out the mission and assigns Devlin (Sutherland), a German employed Irish Nationalist, to parachute into England posing as a gamewarden and pave the way for the arrival of Steiner's force. Canaris wants to shelve the plan, realizing that the war is turning against Germany and it would all be for naught. However Heinrich Himmler (Pleasence in a solid performance), the head of the dreaded SS, orders the plan to be initiated.
Steiner and his men must first be bailed out of trouble with the SS for coming to the aid of a Jewish girl who was being shipped off to a concentration camp. Sutherland arrives and quickly falls into his roll as the village's gamewarden. He soon falls in love with the pretty Molly Prior (Agutter) who is also lusted after by the village bully. Steiner's men soon arrive and begin trouncing about the English countryside posing as an in-training Polish unit (which were not at all uncommon in wartime England). Things are compounded for Steiner and his loyal band of troops when they soon discover that an American Ranger unit is stationed near the village. This unit is commanded by the inept former desk jockey Col. Pitts (played by Hagman) who lusts for combat experience.
The German plan soon unravels when one of Steiner's men is identified as being a German soldier. The Rangers are notified of the German presence and an exciting and climatic battle soon begins for the control of the village. Will the German's succeed in their quest to capture or kill Churchill? Will any of Steiner's men survive the onslaught of Rangers? Will the reckless Col. Pitts be able to lead his troops to victory over the invaders or will the cooler head of Ranger Captain Clark (Williams) come into play? What will become of Devlin's love for Prior?
The movie, which was filmed in England and Finland, is very well done and manages to keep the interest of the audience while delivering a good amount of action and suspense. The only setback to the movie is the fact that most of the Germans talk in English without accents, but if you aren't able to stretch your imagination somewhat then you probably aren't much of a movie fan. The great John Sturgis has given us a worthy entry into the big-cast 1960-1970's war movie genre. The DVD (widescreen version) has no notable extras.