Brian G. Hutton's Where Eagles Dare may be one of the more overlooked entries amongst the panoply of grandiose WWII created out of the studio system in the 60s. Managing to synthesis espionage theatrics with heist film schematics, Where Eagles Dare is a war film intent distorting the perception of the viewer as much as possible, leaving them in a near-constant state of intrigue and borderline quandary as they attempt to navigate and negotiate with what the film presents them. While some may find the film convoluted, I don't think that is quite accurate, as there is an explicit desire by this film to create a sense of confusion. It's embedded into its narrative, and while the screenplay may come off a bit pedantic at times, it feels like a necessary counterbalance to the film's DNA that is firmly rooted in deception. Carefully placed exposition makes sure the audience never falls into a state of apathy, and the film's grandiose scale and simple conceit tie it all together, along with Richard Burton's stoic performance, who manages to keep the audience not quite sure of his intentions for much of the film. Where Eagles Dare's sly narrative deceptions are married with some impressive Hollywood spectacle - the grand wintery vistas and locations exude a sense of scale that makes the whole experience entirely engaging from start to finish despite the film's lengthy runtime. Toughness, stoic resolve, and perseverance - qualities intrinsically linked to masculinity in war films - are simultaneously showcased but also repudiated by the presence of Mary Ure - a blond bombshell who is invaluable to the success of the mission. By weaponizing the male gaze to penetrate the impenetrable German Fortress, Ure's character isn't peripheral to the plotting but a character of action and toughness, similar to the more archetypical male leads. In the end, Where Eagles Dare is an engaging spectacle of old Hollywood studio filmmaking. Along with some wonderful stuntwork that titillates, the film shows a sly understanding of espionage structure, instilling this perpetual state of uncertainty in the viewer from the beginning to end.
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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