Not only is it one of the best World War II films, but "Where Eagles Dare" (1968) is a great title. Starring the classy Richard Burton enunciating every line in that clipped staccato that only he could deliver, and Clint Eastwood as an icily efficient, cold-blooded American Army Ranger, this was one of my Saturday afternoon favorites. It takes place high in a mountain castle serving as a Nazi command center. Burton and Eastwood are part of an allied rescue mission to fee a captive American General possessing intelligence on the soon to be unleashed D-Day invasion. From the parachute drop above a tree line overlooking the castle to the final reveal and resolution, this film is action-packed. My favorite scene is the fight to the death on top of a cable car descending from the castle between Burton and two members of his strike force who turn out to be double-agents. Burton kicks one off the car and leaves his wounded co-conspirator in the car as he perfectly times his leap onto an ascending cable car, but not before he leaves a time bomb aboard. The explosion of the descending car seen from Burton's perspective is spectacular. A great movie with two great actors. Burton is Burton and Clint is at his silent, cool, underplayed best.
