The archetypal "Mission Impossible" movie

Rating: 9/10 (5 November 2006)

This adaptation of Alistair MacClean's action/adventure/spy movie is very nearly perfect. Amazing photography and scenery; a thundering brass laden sound-track; great casting and acting (even in the minor roles); great pacing; blistering action scenes; and a convoluted (but involving) plot...these all combine to make a very looong movie (it actually has an "intermission", even in the VHS version) both exhausting and exhilarating.
Yes, there are a bunch of "oh suuurrre" moments scattered together throughout the movie. In fact, the whole last third of the screenplay where Burton and Eastwood shoot their way past half of the German army is just one such moment after another. Yes, some of the filmic conventions of the 60's jar a little bit on modern sensibilities (like the cars and trucks that instantly burst into flames as they tumble down hillsides and the fact that Burton "speaks" perfect German in his plummy English accent). I don't care. The suspense builds and builds and builds until you think you are going to faint, and then all Hell breaks loose in a most cathartic manner, and the whole thing is concluded and wrapped up in a bow for the viewer in the final scene that is still, to me, one of the most satisfying final "twists" I have seen in 30 years. (The actor who plays the traitorous "Colonel Turner", absolutely rocks in the final scene. I hope the guy who played him made a million dollars and is living the good life somewhere warm!)
I pulled this down (in VHS form) from my shelf on an obscure urge last night to see if it was a good as I remember, and boy, it sure was. The only close competition "Where Eagles Dare" might have in this genre in "The Guns Of Navarone", but as much as I admire Gregory Peck, this one is even better.