Released in 1968 and directed by Brian G. Hutton, "Where Eagles Dare" tells a World War II adventure story about a small group of commandos who parachute into the wilderness near a German castle-fortress located high in the Bavarian Alps. Their task is to rescue a general being held captive before he can be questioned by the enemy. However, things aren’t what they initially seem. This film isn't your typical World War II movie. Alistair Maclean wrote the screenplay based on his novel, so it functions as a spy thriller alongside its war picture elements. Spy movies were extremely popular when the film was released—think James Bond—and while those films might appear plausible, they’re really just escapist fantasy. "Where Eagles Dare" is similar in that regard. The opening sequence, featuring stunning views of the Alps and Ron Goodwin's exciting musical score, ranks among cinema's greatest beginnings. From there, you get intrigue, thrilling action sequences, a beautiful castle setting, Richard Burton delivering a wonderfully charismatic performance, two lovely actresses (Mary Ure and Ingrid Pitt), unexpected plot twists, cable cars, a tense escape, an ending that catches you off guard, and Clint Eastwood. Eastwood portrays a quiet American lieutenant who takes a supporting role to Richard Burton, the British leader of the mission. Burton’s charisma is so remarkable that it overshadows Eastwood's performance—although this is partly due to how their characters were written; still, Burton truly stands out compared to Eastwood, who is already quite talented. Some people have concerns about just how ruthless the Allied commandos are, especially those played by Burton and Eastwood, but they’re Special Forces on a covert assignment, not regular soldiers in standard combat. They're trained killers, which is why they were chosen for this mission. There was no room for compassion during this operation at that point in the war. Regardless, it's exciting to watch Burton & Eastwood and their team take down numerous Germans. The film is so well-made and engaging that you might not notice how far-fetched it is while watching. This is because it avoids the over-the-top style of movies like "Rambo 2" or "Rambo 3" and maintains a sense of realism—though that’s different from being realistic. Ultimately, "Where Eagles Dare" is one of the greatest action/adventure films ever made, as good as or even better than any war film you can think of. The exhilarating score alone makes it worth seeing, along with the opening sequence. If you're looking for a World War II movie, “Where Eagles Dare” should be high on your list. The film’s running time is 2 hours and 35 minutes; it was filmed in Austria and studio work was completed in England. Grade: A

Source on TMDB