A Sign of Better things to come

Rating: 8/10 (24 March 2002)

Younger viewers might be put off by the apparent "hokiness" of the sets, the acting, the script, and the overall implausibility of it all, but this is wonderful escapist fare, especially when viewed within the context of the rapidly deteriorating James Bond series, to say nothing of the annoying "cute" films that dominated the 60's. (See my review of "Cat Ballou," for an explanation.) This movie signaled the viewing public that Hollywood was going to try a little harder in the next decade.
Where Eagles Dare is pure entertainment, no more an no less, and it does not aspire to anything higher. But, it is not predictable. There is a plot twist at every opportunity and the script, while certainly not Shakespeare, requires careful listening.
The movie is a reminder that Richard Burton used to be young and vigorous, and the part was actually something of a breakout role for him, after having been stuck in all of those awful films with Elizabeth Taylor for most of the 60's.
Sit back and enjoy this engaging World War II thriller.