I finished reading the Alistair Maclean novel for the first time a couple of hours ago. I'll be interested to play a bit of spot the difference, although, if my memory of the film is correct then the differences are not many as the screenplay and book were both written by Maclean around the same time. One thing I noticed was that the Schaffer character is a lot more chatty and wisecracking in the novel than Eastwood's almost monosyllabic performance in the film (as I remember it).
If you need more of this kind of stuff (parachuting into the mountains of Bavaria, secret instalations, covert meetings with female resistance fighters, visiting bierhausen etc.) you can listen to the podcast "Return to the Reich". It's linked to in the "Real stories about espionage and special operations" tread. I think it's on the fourth page.
I watched my first ever Hammer horror last year, which had Ingrid Pitt in it - The Vampire Lovers I think was the title. With the lovely Madeleine Smith as well.
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Jumping the gun aren't you, Barbel?
Afraid so. Oh well, see you guys soon.
I'm here
I finished reading the Alistair Maclean novel for the first time a couple of hours ago. I'll be interested to play a bit of spot the difference, although, if my memory of the film is correct then the differences are not many as the screenplay and book were both written by Maclean around the same time. One thing I noticed was that the Schaffer character is a lot more chatty and wisecracking in the novel than Eastwood's almost monosyllabic performance in the film (as I remember it).
If you need more of this kind of stuff (parachuting into the mountains of Bavaria, secret instalations, covert meetings with female resistance fighters, visiting bierhausen etc.) you can listen to the podcast "Return to the Reich". It's linked to in the "Real stories about espionage and special operations" tread. I think it's on the fourth page.
The film simplifies the midsection and changes a few names.
Schaffer talks less in the film cos Eastwood and Burton decided Burton should do more talking, Eastwood more action.
I hope some new watchalongers (new word?) will join us.
The wonderful Ingrid Pitt 😍😍😍
If anyone hasn't seen Harry Enfield's spoof of this film, please do- but wait till you've seen the real film!
Broadsword calling Danny Boy....
I hope everyone is ready. Pause the movie on the black screen right after the MGM lion. We start the watchalong ten minutes past the hour.
In part, Tarantino's 'Inglorious Basterds' riffs on WED beautifully, too :-)
I am cued up and ready for the long awaited watchalong.
Being a lover of Hammer Horror I should mention that there are a couple of their films for those who'd like to see more of Ingrid.
Oh yes.
I'm going to be controversial and say the two female leads aren't that good looking.
Ingrid does 'buxom' in both this and Hammer, big time :-)
I watched my first ever Hammer horror last year, which had Ingrid Pitt in it - The Vampire Lovers I think was the title. With the lovely Madeleine Smith as well.
Er... I don't know what to say to that.
If you liked that, try "Countess Dracula".
I have an excellent coffee table book by Richard Schickel - film historian - called Clint: A Retrospective.
Oddly, in that book he calls Tarantino one of the "few fans" of Where Eagles Dare. Odd because WED is a film beloved by many.
They are far from average, but there was at least one blonde who was prettier in my class when I grew up...
Ready.....
Yes, he visited the set a few times and drank with Burton.
Go!
This theme music is really stirring, one of the best in its genre.
I love this title theme.
Brilliant title sequence.
Sadly this particular Ju-52 crashed about 3 years ago killing 20 on board.
Gothic letters in red! The villans must be REALLY evil!
The use of gothic font for the titles... all part of a Germanic aesthetic predominating
I saw this in the cinema back in 68 or 69 and this title sequence looked and sounded spectacular.