'As Thrilling As Anything Today'

Rating: 10/10 (31 October 2001)

The ultimate in 'Boys-own' Sunday afternoon entertainment. There's the combination of Burton and Eastwood for starters. The coolest, coldest killers you are likely to see in any action movie. As for the enemy? Built up a la Imperial Stormtrooper to be regarded as a formidable fighting force, yet in combat fall for the old 'throwing the grenade back' trick.
Mind you, most people would stand frozen to the spot if they ran up a staircase to discover Clint Eastwood at the top with a machine gun and a 'make my day' type glare. Further misery is reaped on the Wermacht by the arsenal of explosives that Burton keeps in his knapsack.
And who can forget the Strawberry Blonde Gestapo Officer? an unintended comedy classic there.
It is those few qualities and many more that make Where Eagles Dare easily one of the most adorable films ever made. First timers should enjoy the plot with the classic twists. And the pounding last half hour is as thrilling as anything that gets thrown at our screens today, aided by a fine pounding soundtrack.
So in the name of pure entertainment value, check this film out.