Action and Pyrotechnics

Rating: 6/10 (7 August 2014)

After an American general is captured by the Nazis a top-secret plan involving a small group of commandos is put together to try to rescue him. In charge of the operation is a British officer by the name of "Major John Smith" (Richard Burton). Also in this squad is an American, "Lieutenant Schaffer" (Clint Eastwood). Unfortunately, this is no ordinary extraction since the general is being held prisoner in a heavily guarded castle in an extremely mountainous part of Germany. Not only that, but there is also a traitor within the group who is determined to thwart any rescue attempt. At any rate, rather than detail any more of the film and risk ruining it for those who haven't seen it I will just say that this movie has more than its fair share of action and pyrotechnics. Too much in some cases as any semblance of realism disappears about half-way through the movie. Even so it's still manages to entertain fairly well. All things considered I rate it as slightly above average.