The great characters in this sweeping saga

Rating: Null/10 (21 October 2006)

I love this movie, too. To me, it is almost a guilty pleasure, considering its flat characterizations. But, they have some redeeming qualities. Although the character actors who play the German military(Anton Diffring) and SS command (Derren Nesbitt) in the castle play to the German stereotype, their spats reveal the antagonism that existed between these two groups. Richard Burton's character gave the impression of really enjoying the mission. Clint played his straight-man from the American heartland who is somewhat shocked by Burton's over-the-top character, similar to Eli Wallach in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Watching Mary Ure and the actress who played Heidi play an active role in the dangerous mission made an impression on me when I was younger. Neither woman cowers, but instead contributes to the action and helps to drive the plot on to the end. Their characters also deal more intimately with the male characters. The adult relationship between Mary Ure's capable character and Richard Burton's commando leader is light years from the tense, immature marriage they portrayed in "Look Back in Anger" ten years before. Mary Ure's character has a nerve-wracking conversation with the dangerous SS officer minutes after arriving at the castle. Again, an entertaining movie.