Treat Williams Movie:

Editorial Review:
This 1976 adventure story set in World War II concerns a Nazi plot to kidnap Churchill from his retreat--or murder him if need be. The large, great cast and a director, John Sturges, who's been down this road of ensemble action before (The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape) make this project exciting if not as memorable as Sturges's more famous works. The weak ending doesn't help. -- Tom Keogh

The Eagle Has Landed [Region 2] Reviews:
Good Movie, But Hard to Embrace
2008-10-25 - The Art of Storytelling: How To Write A Story....Any Story
Shadow Watcher
Nobody Drowns in Mineral Lake

Even though this WW2 espionage drama is well made and completely engrossing, it's a hard picture to embrace...primarily because there is nobody in it that you can like and want to root for during the first hour or so.

True, Michael Caine and Robert Duvall play "good Germans"; honorable soldiers who detest Hitler and his policies, but are sworn to do all they can for their country. And, Donald Sutherland, who works for the German cause, is an Irishman, dedicated to the bringing about of a United Ireland by any means possible.

Still, these guys are out to either kidnap or kill Winston Churchill...and what viewer wants to see that happen?

We don't meet the story's "hero" until the film is more than half over. He's Treat Williams, playing an American Army captain stationed in rural England, who discovers the nefarious plot and tries to thwart it.

The film, directed by John Sturges, is based on a Jack Higgins' best-selling novel and, although I've never read it, my hope is that the Williams character makes his appearance much earlier in the book than he does on film.

The movie co-stars Jenny Agutter, Donald Pleasance, Anthony Quayle and Jean Marsh.

© Michael B. Druxman, author of ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (available December 2008)

Great WWII Thriller
2008-08-28 - This movie is based on a great book by Jack Higgins.It really follows the book very well and the actors in the movie are believable in their roles. I highly recommend this movie and/or the same named book!

Good Cast Good Story
2008-01-16 - I watched this movie a long time ago and brought it out of my collection recently. I must say that it holds up very well. The casting is just perfect and Jack Higgins story is really entertaining. Michael Caine and Robert Duvall are both perfect for their parts and really chew up the scenes. Another stand out in a small role is Larry Hagman. This movie has plenty of intrique and action.

An excellent war film
2007-09-23 - This is a great movie. I remember it as one of the first videos I ever watched.

In this movie a series of unconnected or coincidental events makes it possible for the Germans to kidnap Winston Churchill while he is near the coast. This movie has everything: espionage, drama, courage, romance, even humor. Well worth the time!

Say what?
2007-06-16 - The elements are all there--a film based on a famous novel, great cast, good direction, good production values, nice location shooting. Then, smack dab in the middle of an espionage/adventure story is what was probably an unintentionally-comic performance by Larry Hagman. This dvd has been bubbling to the top of many sale bins. It's worth watching and it does hold your attention, even though the story is a tad preposterous and there are too many genre twists and turns. At several points you will ask yourself, "What is this movie trying to be?" For those seeking Larry Hagman's most over-the-top, wiggy performance, this is a don't miss.