A German plot to kidnap Prime Minister Winston Churchill unfolds at the height of World War II.A German plot to kidnap Prime Minister Winston Churchill unfolds at the height of World War II.A German plot to kidnap Prime Minister Winston Churchill unfolds at the height of World War II.
Rick Parsé
- E-Boat Commander
- (as Rick Parse)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaSir Michael Caine was originally offered the role of Devlin, but did not want to play an I.R.A. member, and requested to play Steiner instead.
- GoofsWhen Col. Steiner knocks one of the guards unconscious towards the end of the film, he impersonates the call-sign "Delta 2". The NATO alphabet which used that term for D ("Delta") was not adopted until 1956. The WW2 call-sign would have been "Dog 2".
- Quotes
Captain Clark: Colonel, there's no such thing as "death with honor". Just death.
Colonel Kurt Steiner: I have no intention of dying now. But if I'm going to, allow me to choose where and how.
- Alternate versionsThe Carlton distributed DVD "Michael Caine double bill" is the full uncut version incorporating all the cut scenes, including the blood from Colonel Pitts' head and the shot in the back of the soldier. However on the description of the film it has the wrong film length info, it is about 12 minutes longer than shown.
- ConnectionsEdited into Give Me Your Answer True (1987)
Featured review
Mussolini is rescued by German special forces. Hitler supported by Himmler (Donald Pleasence) has an idea to kidnap British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The one-eyed Max Radl (Robert Duvall) is ordered to command the operation. He recruits IRA member Liam Devlin (Donald Sutherland) in Berlin. Churchill is visiting Studley Constable in Norfolk. Kurt Steiner (Michael Caine) leads a squad of experienced troops from the eastern front. He's weary of the Nazis and tries to save a girl from the cattle train. For that, they are forced to take part in the impossible mission. Devlin sneaks into the country and joins up with sleeper agent Joanna Grey (Jean Marsh). Local Molly Prior (Jenny Agutter) falls for charming Devlin. The squad parachutes in dressed as Polish troops. Opposing them is the pompous US Army Colonel Pitts (Larry Hagman) and his more competent second-in-command Captain Clark (Treat Williams).
This is a fun war high adventure. It's got funny scenes and some good action. The main thing holding it back is the reversal of roles. It's harder to root for the Germans in a WWII movie. It tries very hard to make Michael Caine a hero in this despite the German uniform. The story is highly unlikely but it's not really surreal. Plot believability goes out the window in this one.
This is a fun war high adventure. It's got funny scenes and some good action. The main thing holding it back is the reversal of roles. It's harder to root for the Germans in a WWII movie. It tries very hard to make Michael Caine a hero in this despite the German uniform. The story is highly unlikely but it's not really surreal. Plot believability goes out the window in this one.
- SnoopyStyle
- May 12, 2016
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Der Adler ist gelandet
- Filming locations
- Church of St Margaret, Mapledurham, Berkshire, England, UK(East Anglia church where the villagers are held hostage)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $6,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours 15 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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