Not sure if I fully agree with that. WED would have been relatively violent for its time, and whilst there is much more subtext to Basterds, they are of the same genre. IG would not exist without films like WED and whilst the tone is different they are the same style and genre of film. Kinda like Moonraker compared to License to Kill. Different tones, but both Bond films.
I think valkyrie with Tom Cruise has similar elements, has anyone seen fury with Brad Pitt? I haven't but it's on my to watch list, maybe that film takes inspiration from the likes of wed?
I've always liked the longest day, young Sean connery, gert frober, Richard burtons part I always find brilliant " his boots are on the wrong feet" and big John Wayne, possibly the only film where he doesn't fire a shot or throw a punch.
In the spirit of this thread I re-watched Where Eagles Dare tonight.
Just as I remembered, the film totally rules until the 1 hour 40 minute mark and then almost becomes unwatchable.
After the interrogation scene with Cartwright Jones is over I get the urge to skip the next 30 minutes and cut to the chase with the red bus.
1. Smith and Shaffer assisinate everyone in the room, yet take 3 hostages?! They are in no position to do so. Just kill them like the rest!!! Besides, it's not like Smith is too keen on courtroom trials anyway. It's such a hassle to keep an eye on them and of course things go wrong.
2. Why do they think a big diversion is needed in order to escape?
They could just walk out of there and no one would even notice. Everyone who knew the truth would be dead in that room and not discovered until the next morning. No need for dynamite and creating tons of chaos. I thought this was a stealth mission.
3. Clint sneaking up on the guy with the knife is so retarded. Why not use the silenced pistol? Then right after he has sounded the alarm, Burton easily shoots him from the doorway. OMG
Triggering the alarm has a huge effect on the plot which draws more attention to this gaffe.
My current 10 favorite:
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superadoRegent's Park West (CaliforniaPosts: 2,656MI6 Agent
Funny seeing this thread, since I plan to watch WED sometime in the next few days as part of my yearly private viewing ritual of movies set in winter, along with OHMSS and Billion Dollar Brain; I consider WED and OHMSS as cinematic cousins from different genres because they're so alike. I highly recommend the 116 page commemorative magazine published by Cinema Retro, which also frequently features Bond movies in their monthly issues:
Here's my 1/6 rendition of WED in the appropriate holiday setting:
"...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
I plan to watch WED sometime in the next few days as part of my yearly private viewing ritual of movies set in winter, along with OHMSS and Billion Dollar Brain
I saw Where Eagles Dare when it came out at the pictures in 1968 (I think). Like most 12 year old lads it blew me away. I still remember that the intermission was when Clint fixes all the bombs in the large castle room as he closes the door with said bomb on a wire on the other side.
Brilliant film.
I had forgotten that there was an intermission until you mentioned it. It wasn't that long a movie but quite a few movies in the 60's had intermissions now I come to think of it. It looks like we are the exact same age UB007 - movies seemed more exciting in those days.
It would seem we are of a similar age. I think going to the pictures back then was a real treat, which made it more magical.
I remember in my parents house in the 60's we didn't call "Fish and Chips" but "Chips and Fish".
That was because my parents could afford the chips but not necessarily the fish every time, and if you got fish it was a real treat.
As I saw many a Bond film back in those days at the pictures.
Thunderballs intermission was after Largos frogmen had finished securing the camouflage netting over the Vulcan bomber on the sea bed.
Goldfinger I think was after the laser beam scene with Bond strapped to that table.
From Russia With Love I think the break was after the scene where the filming of Bond through the two way mirror. I can't remember anymore unfortunately.
I don't remember any Bond film in London where I grew up having an intermission but when I saw GF in Amsterdam in the mid 70's there definitely was one when JB crashed the DB5.
Most of the intermissions I remember were when the likes of The Great Race, Mad Mad World and Lawrence Of Arabia were shown.
Then they sold Kia-ora orange drinks and tubs of rock hard vanilla ice cream from a tray strapped to an usherette. Happy days -{
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
I saw "Inglorious Bastereds" at a cinema in Reykjavik once. There was an intermission for comercials, it seemed to be the norm there. The Icelanders are clearly still barbarians
In the spirit of this thread I re-watched Where Eagles Dare tonight.
Just as I remembered, the film totally rules until the 1 hour 40 minute mark and then almost becomes unwatchable.
After the interrogation scene with Cartwright Jones is over I get the urge to skip the next 30 minutes and cut to the chase with the red bus.
1. Smith and Shaffer assisinate everyone in the room, yet take 3 hostages?! They are in no position to do so. Just kill them like the rest!!! Besides, it's not like Smith is too keen on courtroom trials anyway. It's such a hassle to keep an eye on them and of course things go wrong.
2. Why do they think a big diversion is needed in order to escape?
They could just walk out of there and no one would even notice. Everyone who knew the truth would be dead in that room and not discovered until the next morning. No need for dynamite and creating tons of chaos. I thought this was a stealth mission.
3. Clint sneaking up on the guy with the knife is so retarded. Why not use the silenced pistol? Then right after he has sounded the alarm, Burton easily shoots him from the doorway. OMG
Triggering the alarm has a huge effect on the plot which draws more attention to this gaffe.
Glad to hear you gave it a rewatch!
I would say that you're right that the first half is the stronger part of the film. It's more stealth and espionage and when everything goes to hell in the second half it does become a bit implausible as you have pointed out. I actually rewatched OHMSS after watching this and I would have to say that Majesty's is the stronger film. Though outside of the Bond fan community it would seem that WED is rated higher. Still WED is a cracker of a film ) )
18 year old me was very, very stupid. I got a tattoo on my leg and I hate it. I started the process of having it removed but it is beyond painful. They literally burn you over and over. I have decided to get a cover up of the gondola from WED with the men on the top. It needs to be tall so I think it will work out well because I can have the mountain and river included so it does not look totally random. Maybe underneath I will have Clint put in a heart ) Anyway no one in real life cares and I am really excited so I thought I would post it.
18 year old me was very, very stupid. I got a tattoo on my leg and I hate it. I started the process of having it removed but it is beyond painful. They literally burn you over and over. I have decided to get a cover up of the gondola from WED with the men on the top. It needs to be tall so I think it will work out well because I can have the mountain and river included so it does not look totally random. Maybe underneath I will have Clint put in a heart ) Anyway no one in real life cares and I am really excited so I thought I would post it.
And just because. A small(er) scale set.
Share a picture of it on here when you get it done
Fans of Where Eagles Dare and Bond should certainly check out the 1963 episode of The Saint called The Sporting Chance. It features Darren Nesbitt who is most famous for playing the SS Officer in Eagles. He is seriously so great! It was such a treat to see him in another role. I am surprised he was not a bigger star because he has so much charisma and charm as a villain.
I did watch this film on television only a few days ago. It is the first time I have seen the film. I laughed at how they could contact England from Germany without problem in such a area they were transmitting from with a little aerial from a ordinary radio! I also laughed at the explosive! I wouldn't think that they would use sticks of explosive like the cartoon! It was also very funny how they could blow things up like the brigade by just sticking the explosive on in just a short time. The plot was very not realistic also I think they went to much trouble to get the names of the agent! I enjoyed this film but not for the reason I think that other people do.
I did watch this film on television only a few days ago. It is the first time I have seen the film. I laughed at how they could contact England from Germany without problem in such a area they were transmitting from with a little aerial from a ordinary radio! I also laughed at the explosive! I wouldn't think that they would use sticks of explosive like the cartoon! It was also very funny how they could blow things up like the brigade by just sticking the explosive on in just a short time. The plot was very not realistic also I think they went to much trouble to get the names of the agent! I enjoyed this film but not for the reason I think that other people do.
I always enjoy reading your posts because you have a very interesting perspective. This is a favorite of mine, but it is outlandish. That is part of what makes it so amazing.
Well, that's one way of looking at it. I think Joshua's outlook is the right one, I think when they made it they knew it was totally ridiculous, but maybe that makes it The Expendables of its day.
When I said brigade I meant bridge. In real life it would take many hours to demolish that bridge and more than 2 men. I think this film was entertaining because of all the mistakes. I also did see the guns of navaron film and the force ten from navaron films as I am interested in world war 2. These films were by the same writer of the books. They were all very entertaining to me because they were so silly!
I also laughed when I saw Roger Moore using the little brush to send morse code in live and let die. This reminded me of that film when I saw broadsword calling danny boy!
Well, that's one way of looking at it. I think Joshua's outlook is the right one, I think when they made it they knew it was totally ridiculous, but maybe that makes it The Expendables of its day.
I think it is darn near a perfect movie. Granted I am very biased and will love anything with a gondola, Ingrid Pitt and dirndls.
I enjoy both Where Eagles Dare and Guns of Navarone, both fun and gloriously unrealistic. I find it funny that the two members of the sabotage team in Guns of Navarone who look the least tough in the movie (David Niven and Anthony Quayle) were WWII commandoes in real life. Niven was first in Army Commandoes, later a squadron leader in the Phantom Unit. Quayle was a SOE agent in Yugoslavia.
Comments
I'd say we agree. Different tone, same genere.
Cheeky young whippersnapper....
I've always liked the longest day, young Sean connery, gert frober, Richard burtons part I always find brilliant " his boots are on the wrong feet" and big John Wayne, possibly the only film where he doesn't fire a shot or throw a punch.
And the dirty dozen?
:007)
If this link works in your country, I envy you. Harry Enfield in "The Dogs Of Death", a parody of WED.
Just as I remembered, the film totally rules until the 1 hour 40 minute mark and then almost becomes unwatchable.
After the interrogation scene with Cartwright Jones is over I get the urge to skip the next 30 minutes and cut to the chase with the red bus.
1. Smith and Shaffer assisinate everyone in the room, yet take 3 hostages?! They are in no position to do so. Just kill them like the rest!!! Besides, it's not like Smith is too keen on courtroom trials anyway. It's such a hassle to keep an eye on them and of course things go wrong.
2. Why do they think a big diversion is needed in order to escape?
They could just walk out of there and no one would even notice. Everyone who knew the truth would be dead in that room and not discovered until the next morning. No need for dynamite and creating tons of chaos. I thought this was a stealth mission.
3. Clint sneaking up on the guy with the knife is so retarded. Why not use the silenced pistol? Then right after he has sounded the alarm, Burton easily shoots him from the doorway. OMG
Triggering the alarm has a huge effect on the plot which draws more attention to this gaffe.
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
http://www.cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/6775-WHERE-EAGLES-DARE-THE-UPDATED-AND-REVISED-CINEMA-RETRO-SPECIAL-TRIBUTE-ISSUE.html
Here's my 1/6 rendition of WED in the appropriate holiday setting:
3 of my favourite films there!
It would seem we are of a similar age. I think going to the pictures back then was a real treat, which made it more magical.
I remember in my parents house in the 60's we didn't call "Fish and Chips" but "Chips and Fish".
That was because my parents could afford the chips but not necessarily the fish every time, and if you got fish it was a real treat.
As I saw many a Bond film back in those days at the pictures.
Thunderballs intermission was after Largos frogmen had finished securing the camouflage netting over the Vulcan bomber on the sea bed.
Goldfinger I think was after the laser beam scene with Bond strapped to that table.
From Russia With Love I think the break was after the scene where the filming of Bond through the two way mirror. I can't remember anymore unfortunately.
We live in a different World now.
"Do you expect me to talk? "No Mister Bond I expect you to die"
Most of the intermissions I remember were when the likes of The Great Race, Mad Mad World and Lawrence Of Arabia were shown.
Then they sold Kia-ora orange drinks and tubs of rock hard vanilla ice cream from a tray strapped to an usherette. Happy days -{
Glad to hear you gave it a rewatch!
I would say that you're right that the first half is the stronger part of the film. It's more stealth and espionage and when everything goes to hell in the second half it does become a bit implausible as you have pointed out. I actually rewatched OHMSS after watching this and I would have to say that Majesty's is the stronger film. Though outside of the Bond fan community it would seem that WED is rated higher. Still WED is a cracker of a film
And just because. A small(er) scale set.
Share a picture of it on here when you get it done
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0693583/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
Roger Moore 1927-2017