Watch The Eagle Has Landed For Free

Brilliant and touching

Absolutely the worst movie.

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED is a great little 'what if?' WW2 movie, based on a novel by popular thriller writer Jack Higgins. The film features an all-star cast and a wonderfully gritty 1970s-era thriller atmosphere, in which the focus is on realism throughout rather than endless explosive action and the like. It's the final film in the career of MAGNIFICENT SEVEN director John Sturges, and it's a rather grand effort.The plot is a little similar to that of WENT THE DAY WELL. Himmler decides on a plan to kidnap Winston Churchill from Norfolk, and a crack team of Nazi troops are sent in undercover to get the job done. The first hour is all set up but it's never less than engaging, but it's once the troops arrive in England that the fun and endless tension really starts. Michael Caine is a typically likable lead and Donald Sutherland and Jenny Agutter share an unusual romance. The action, when it hits, is quite electrifying, and the film is unpredictable enough to keep you on your toes throughout. I loved it.

Although fictional, Jack Higgins' novel, and, this movie, is very believable, and, could have been very possible."Send a detachment of highly-trained and seasoned German paratroopers to England disguised as Polish 'Free' paratroopers and into a town that is nearby where Winston Churchill is expected to be...and, assassinate him."SEAL TEAM Six did this same thing with Osama Bin Laden.This is a great movie (and, a great novel)! I remember the evening that my Dad (EN1(SS) US SUBMARINE SERVICE ETERNAL PATROL...RIP) brought me to see this after a family get-together in 1976...and, also feeling badly for my cousin who didn't get to go with us after talking about wanting to see this movie. His dad was a military failure (US Submarine Service 'drop-out' and life-long zero and sworn sissy); and, he just wouldn't let my cousin join us!?!?However, this movie is great - a detachment of German paratroopers, in disguise; lead by a Luftwaffe Oberst (Colonel), and, a Luftwaffe Hauptmann (Captain), who are both fluent in English...work an operation to assassinate Winston Churchill. This is a great and ambitious endeavor.Yet, SADLY, this movie (and, novel) also shows the corruption and cowardice of the Nazi High Command - in-and-how they cover-up their own failures and deeds by blaming and executing those whom they've ordered to follow through with this operation!?!? This is a great operation lead by a great group of 'real' soldiers who are loyal to their country; but, the operation is overseen by cut-throats and corrupt government sleezes who are only looking out for themselves.If you're a World War II buff...this is for you! :)

Michael Caine is outstanding as Colonel Steiner, an untamed German paratroop commander, who's covert mission is to go to Great Britain and kidnap Winston Churchill whilst on a retreat. The Germans are helped by Irishman Liam Devlin, played by Donald Sutherland, who essentially paves the way for their operation at a coastal hamlet (shot in Cornwall and Berkshire, England). Jenny Agutter plays Devlin's near-jailbait romantic interest in the quaint village, while Larry Hagman and Treat Williams play American officers, the former foolishly gung-ho. Robert Duvall and Donald Sutherland are also on hand as German officers.As you can see from the plot, this is an unconventional WWII picture. It doesn't feature the typical major battles or stereotypical characters and situations of most war flicks. Both Caine and Sutherland shine in their roles, especially Caine as the fearless Steiner. Many memorable moments abound.The film runs 131 minutes but feels shorter.GRADE: B+

I thought this was quite a good film of the genre and a reasonable adaptation of the book by Jack Higgins which I have read more than once. I have recently watched a wartime film where the plot is as follows. A group of German paratroopers land in an English village in wartime. By accident their true identity is uncovered and they take a number of the villagers as hostages in the church. They are assisted in their task by a local villager who is, in fact, a fifth columnist. One of the villagers manages to escape and warn the allied forces. They attack the village and all the Germans lose their lives. I seem to have forgotten to give the name of the film. It was "Went The Day Well" which was made in 1942 ans was an adaptation of a short story by Graham Green and I can thoroughly recommend Does it ring a bell?