Where Eagles Dare

   While probably not the best film ever made, my favorite piece of cinema is 1969's Where Eagles Dare. While it has a mediocre plot, I remember that the movie had several more attributes that made it fantastic to watch. The soundtrack, opening credit sequence, and sets stand out in my mind as some of the parts that made it good.

pure greatness

   The first thing that I think of when the movie is mentioned is the soundtrack. From some research I found that it was written by Ron Godwin, a relative unknown who went on to later fame as a composer.

He's the one with the hair.

The music really builds suspense and contributes immensely to the mood of the story. the music is the same basic song throughout the movie, though it is cleverly adapted to fit whichever scene it is played during. The music was recorded by a military band, greatly enhancing the fell of it as a war film. This remains one of my favorite movie soundtracks, and is a major reason why I love this film.
    Another well-done aspect of Where Eagles Dare is the opening credit sequence. I don’t know the name of the font used, but it is perfect for the setting in the Bavarian Alps, as the type is older looking, and clearly German, saying something about the movie without any explanation or dialogue. In addition to the lettering, the opening shots of the Alps, most filmed from the perspective of a low flying cargo plane really drew me in. These shots thrill you before the action even starts, and make the audience feel like part of the story before it even begins.

Pictured: Richard Burton. Not pictured: the right movie.

   Thirdly, the acting in the movie is phenomenal. It stars Richard Burton and a young Clint Eastwood, both of whom fit their roles perfectly. They bring life to the characters, and act in a way that is believable, consistent with the rest of the film. I really identified with their characters at a young age, which in turn caused myself to enjoy the film immensely.

Mountains! Also, the setting.

Finally, the best part of Where Eagles Dare is the setting. It was on location in the breathtaking Alps of Bavarian Austria, a wise move on the studio’s part. This makes the story altogether more realistic and believable, and was one of the principle reasons that I enjoyed the film. On the interior, the sets are no less exquisitely crafted, with extreme attention to detail and realism. This distinguishes from many other 1960’s war films, which were all about the action rather than accuracy. The set designs really do transport you to the Alps in 1944, and while the plot may not be very realistic, the rest of the movie certainly is.

"Realistic plots are for lesser men"

   Where Eagles Dare is my favorite movie because of the acting, soundtrack, opening credits, and setting. I admire the film for its realism and attention to small details, really transporting the viewer into the movie. I first saw the film at a young age, when plot was more important to me, but I continue to love Where Eagles Dare to this day.
For a poorly maintained fan website, read here.
JTS