Where Eagles Dare is a 1968 British action war film directed by Brian G. Hutton, starring Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood. The story is set during World War II and follows a Special Operations Executive team tasked with rescuing an American general held captive in the fictional Schloß Adler fortress in the Bavarian Alps
Plot and Setting
The film's plot centers on a daring raid to free the general, who possesses crucial intelligence about the upcoming Allied invasion. The mission involves disguised commandos dropped behind enemy lines, with intrigue and betrayal complicating their efforts
Filming Locations
- The castle "Schloß Adler" was portrayed by the 14th-century Schloss Hohenwerfen in Werfen, Austria.
- Cable car scenes were filmed at the Feuerkogel Seilbahn near Ebensee, Austria.
- Airport scenes were shot at Flugplatz Aigen in Ennstal, Austria.
- Studio work took place at Borehamwood Studios and MGM Studios in England
Production Notes
- The screenplay was written by Alistair MacLean, who simultaneously wrote the novel of the same name.
- The film is known for its elaborate stunts coordinated by veteran stuntman Yakima Canutt.
- It was a commercial success and has become a cult classic, praised for its action sequences and performances despite some historical inaccuracies and a complex plot
Summary
"Where Eagles Dare" is a classic World War II action thriller set in a Nazi fortress in the Alps, filmed mainly in Austria and England, featuring a high- stakes rescue mission with espionage elements
