Amazon.com

Scorned by reviewers when it came out, this concentrated dose of commando death-dealing to legions of Nazi machine-gun fodder has acquired a cult over the years. In 1968 Clint Eastwood was just getting used to the notion that he might be a world-class movie star; Richard Burton, whose image had been shaped equally by classical theater training and his headline-making romance with Elizabeth Taylor, was eager to try on the action ethos Eastwood was already nudging toward caricature. Alistair MacLean's novel The Guns of Navarone had inspired the film that started the '60s vogue for World War II military capers, so he was prevailed on to write the screenplay (his first). The central location, an impregnable Alpine stronghold locked in ice and snow, is surpassing cool, but the plot and action are ultra-mechanical, and the switcheroo gamesmanship of just who is the undercover double (triple?) agent on the mission becomes aggressively silly. --Richard T. Jameson ... Read more

Reviews (156)

A great War Movie
This movie, filled with drama, action, and a complex plot that will make your head spin, has it all. Richard Burton is dashing as the cold plotting secret agent who is leading his team on a mission to save D-Day from disaster. Clint Eastwood, here little more than a teenager, is wonderful as the somewhat befuddled American army ranger who cannot figure out why he is even on the mission.

Any attempt to go into detail about the story would ruin some of the fun. Suffice to say that you will be riveted both by the action and the performances. One note though, Burton's monologue is amazing.

If you like WWII movies and have not seen this one, you don't know what you are missing.

Trashy and absurd, but still fun
This is a campy movie, but enlivened by gorgeous scenery, unintentionally funny dialogue and some of the most unbelievable action scenes ever devised (count how many times Clint Eastwood reloads... never!)

Richard Burton is his usual over-acting self, and he delivers his lines with more bombast that usual. A favorite is when he's pretending to be SS Reichsfuehrer Heinrich Himmler's brother in order to swagger around in a beerhall. Someone gets wise with him and Burton sneers, "My name is Bernard Himmler. Does the name mean anything to YOU? "

The last half hour of the movie is hilarious. Watch particularly the poker-faced Mary Ure, who hangs out of the back of a ski bus, machine gun in hand. She effortlessly mows down 10 German divisions single-handedly and never so much as twitches one facial muscle. Talk about a blase killer. Mary knocks off more German tanks, trunks and motorcycles in this movie than the Allied and Soviet forces achieved in all of World War II.

This is an enjoyable, escapist movie with plenty of laughs. Those of you who appreciate campy humor and enjoy ridiculing movies that take themselves too seriously will have a field day.

One of the Greatest War Films of All Time !
Quite simply one of the greatest war movies ever made. A top notch thriller loaded with action, espionage and double crosses, "Where Eagles Dare" is the kind of movie that Hollywood just doesn't make anymore. This isn't some politically correct drama steeped in reality. No, this is good guys vs. bad guys. This is pure unabashed fantasy which keeps the audience on the edge of its seat. This is just darn good entertainment!

Richard Burton is absolutely cunning as the British agent who leads an elite group of soldiers behind enemy lines and into a seemingly unpenetrable German castle to rescue an imprisoned American General. A young Clint Eastwood is the only American on the mission. Clint is his usual cool and calm self. However he, like the audience, isn't sure who to trust. Somebody's a double agent, but exactly who is anyone's guess. Don't worry about figuring it out, just sit back and enjoy the drama. You'll love the growing tension and suspicion between Burton and Eastwood.

The journey into the castle is classic heart-stopping drama. Even better is Burton's fight with a German soldier high atop a ski lift -- truly one of the most riveting action sequences ever filmed. Bullets are flyin' and bombs are blastin' throughout. In the end, heroes emerge while evil perpetrators get their just due. Classic, absolutely classic!

And yes, as several reviewers have noted, the stunning scenery and beautiful cinematography in this film would greatly benefit from a widescreen DVD treatment. So, how 'bout it, I want my DVD!

Commando raid at its most ludicrous
OK. Stellar star cast. I'll give you that and no dearth of action as well. But to portray the German Fallschirmjaeger and alpine troops as a bunch of bungling flat footed idiots is a little far fetched. It is history at its worst portrayal and hollywood action at its golden peak. Some dumbass marine from New Jersey might fall for this drivel but not well read students of history. It gets failing grade for portrayal of reality based fiction but gets high marks for choice of location and choice of cast. If you want a better war flick, pick Operation Daybreak.

Whats up with the dubbing
I happened to think that this was a cool movie.
Being a ex-marine I understand that alot of this
if not all of it is fantasy but hey its a movie not a documentary its suppose to be fun. My main concern was the dubbing was this an american movie or european ? it was Burtons and Eastwoods voices on the film but it was advanced meaning the sound occured before the action now I dont know if it was my dvd player I dont think so but man that was annoying ... Read more

Description

New hi def color transfer made from 35 mm interpositive - picture: 16x9 Anamorphic 1.85:1 presentation, 5.1 surround sound, subtitled in English, French and Spanish, commentary with director Bruce Beresford, 20 minute interview with actor Edward Woodward, in-depth character breakdown, photo gallery and original theatrical trailer. Synopsis: Based on a true story, Breaker Morant is the tale of three soldiers who are court-martialed at the end of the Boer War. When one of their comrades is ambushed and killed, three soldiers (Edward Woodward, Brian Brown and Lewis Fitz-Gerald) seek revenge and kill a Boer Solider. The act of murder and the mysterious disappearance of a German missionary leads to the arrest of the three men. In one of the most controversial court-martials in military history, they are defended by Major Thomas (Jack Thompson), small town Australian solicitor who has only been given one day to prepare the case. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Before coming to America to make such acclaimed films as Tender Mercies and Driving Miss Daisy, Australian director Bruce Beresford made a lasting impression with this compelling courtroom drama, considered one the finest films of the Australian new wave of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Based on a true story about three soldiers in the Boer War who are served up as political scapegoats of the British Empire, the film uses a flashback structure to dramatize the courtroom testimony.It begins when the three Australian soldiers are railroaded for the justified killing of a German missionary and placed on trial for court-martial not as a matter of justice, but to mollify the German government for the sake of political expediency. Burdened with a competent but inexperienced and hopelessly disadvantaged lawyer, the soldiers realize that their fate has been sealed and the outcome of their trial is a fait accompli. Unfolding with urgent precision and a riveting focus on its well-drawn characters, Breaker Morant was the all-time box-office hit in Australia at the time of its release in 1980, and it remains one of the very best historical dramas ever made. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (47)

One of the best Australian films every made
A subtle masterwork by Australian film maker Bruce Beresford (Driving Miss Daisy), BREAKER MORANT tells the true story (with some historical liberties) of three Australian soldiers put on trial for shooting prisoners during the Boer War in South Africa. The trial revolves around Cpt. Harry Morant (Edward Woodward in a fantastic performance), a soldier and poet who claimed his shooting of Boer prisoners was done under orders from above. It is both a court room drama and a story of the role of ethics in war. Told through the trial with flash backs to the past, Beresford never looses sight of the very human story he is telling. BREAKER MORANT is a jewel of a movie.

"And a man's foes shall be thay of his own household....."
Skillful director Brian Beresford, a brilliant ensemble of Australian actors, and the very talented English actor, Edward Woodward, came together in South Australia in 1979 to shoot one of Australia's finest films...a war time courtroom drama that excels in acting, narrative, script and cinematography.

Released at a time when the Australian film industry was on the verge of a world wide surge of interest with many other fine films (Mad Max 1979, Gallipoli 1981 etc.)...."Breaker Morant" set a benchmark for quality drama.

In the midst of the Boer War, three members of the Bushveldt Carboniers...Harry Morant, Peter Handcock & George Witton stand accused of the murder of Boer prisoners and a German missionary.

The men become the subject of a British court martial and it soon becomes clearly evident that they are mere pawns in a far greater diplomatic agenda between warring nations. The film closely tackles the issues of trialling soldiers for murder in times of war...and the differing interpretations of the orders recieved from senior officers.

Jack Thompson is outstanding as defence attorney, Major J.F. Thomas, attempting to save the lives of the trio. A youthful Bryan Brown is very memorable as the wild, simple larrikan, Peter Handcock...and Edward Woodward, in a moving and remarkable performance plays the role of the horse breaker-cum-soldier, Harry Hardboard Morant. Add a wonderful support cast including noted Australian actors Charles 'Bud' Tingwell, Alan Cassell, John Waters and Chris Haywood...and it's easy to see why this film garnished several key AFI awards upon it's release, and remains so highly regarded amongst critics and fans alike.

An intelligent, moving and thought provoking film "Breaker Morant" will be savoured by those who enjoy intense, challenging historical drama's. Highly Recommended !!

"Breaker" Morant, Outstanding Examplar of "Australian" Wave
I remember seeing this riveting film with my father in Westbury, LI, roughly after the period (due to shifting economics) cinemas became duplex. True, "Breaker Morant" is a smaller-scale film in one sense, but it is much greater than many of "epic" dimensions. The performances are uniformly (no pun intended) outstanding, Mr. Beresford's direction so skillfull it is arguably the finest filmed adaptation of a stage play I've ever seen. (In fact, in my first lapse of critical acuity, I didn't discover this until long afterwards!)

The films begins as a fact-based courtroom drama yet ends with a truly rare, poignant (not mawkish) poeticism. The script is fully realized: for example, it shows the title character as a refined, cultured man of the world. Late in the story, when in prison and offered the opportunity to escape, a visitor says: "You can see the world." So powerful is the portrayal of Morant, his devastatingly simple reply was interpreted prima facie by my accursed literal mind! (Hence, my second, and more serious critical lapse.) Australia should be proud of this contribution to world cinema, for it is a great, rara avis: a memorable film.

One of the Best Films Ever Made. Period.
This is quite simply one of the best films I have seen. Every person I have recommended this film to has said the same, and every person who has asked me what are the best films I have seen ( I am a true student and fan of film )- I immediately answer "Breaker Morant" either first or second. It brings the British Empire to it`s knees, at least ethically. Interestingly, some scholars have done research in the last decade or so and think that Morant was a cold-blooded killer ( doubtful, I think ). Director Beresford himself, when presented with this evidence said the same.

As far as this film is concerned- this "evidence" doesn`t detract from the greatness of " Breaker Morant" at all.(...)

Highly recommended
Along with Kubrick's Paths of Glory, this film ranks tops among its genre. During the Boer wars in Austrailia, Morant and his associates are prisoners to be executed for something stupid. While in custody, the Boers attack and Morant and his men are given rifles and fight valiently to stave off the attack. What does this act of bravery earn them! The answer is a big resounding nothing. Like the previously mentioned movie, it shows you how egos in the military get in the way of justice! Great acting and directing along with a story that is compelling to the last scene! ... Read more

Reviews (41)

Sirens Can Come Calling to Anyone
I viewed this movie the first time in the theatre and loved it completely. Any woman, or man for that matter, who grew up in a sort of repressed world can understand the obvious fasination that this couple might experience when they come to Australia and become guests of this notorious artist and his family.

From the first momentous scene, when the couple encounters the Rasputinesque man with the missing limb, the film hints at the terrifying prospects of life beneath the lush beauty of earth's surroundings. Beware, behind all beauty lies death---but ah! the pleasure in living!!!!The elegant subtlety of Sirens lies within its ability to unmask and shyly peek at the longing we have of freely given love and the fasination of discovering the beauty of our genders. Even as the threat of death and decay peers through the trees, we crave the acknowledgement of our sensual needs and fears; we, sometimes cautiously, bend to the impossible curiousity that nags us in viewing our sexual opposites, and yes, in acknowledging our own sex.

My only critism of the VHS/DVD, is that one misses the humor and in large the major comment of what the movie seeks to share. The newspaper articles originally shown on the large screen, are unreadable on the small screen. The VHS/DVD viewers suffer from this loss because the impact of the film in the juxtaposition of these humorous and tragic observations shown through the medium of local news. They whisper to us of the uncertainty of ife, the quickness of death, the need to seize upon the gift of love and life.

The visual impact of the film is sensual and lovely; the actors are equally so. For once, Hugh Grant's bumbling bumbles aren't so irritating and the elegant Tara Fitzgerald lures you gently into her search of discovery for the sacred place where love and lust can happily survive. The cast is outstanding.

If they release a better version of the DVD in the future, I hope that the viewing of the headlines can be remedied. It makes all the difference in the perception of the film.

A little deeper into Sirens > a different interpretation
Spoiler alert: You might not want to read the following if you haven't seen the movie yet.

Most of the reviews of Sirens at Amazon focus on Elle, the nudity in the movie, and themes surrounding the Church's stance against freedom of expression. A few reviewers have touched intelligently on some of the biblical, Atlantean, and Homeric symbolism that suffuses the movie.

Only one reviewer, who happened not to like the film, touched on what I consider to be one of the most telling elements of the story: that Tara Fitzgerald's character Estella cheats on her husband, Hugh Grant. The reviewer thinks this is a problem, and it is, because Estella is a clergyman's wife. This should require some explaining, as Estella changes a great deal in a short amount of time during the film.

The cover of the movie shows Hugh Grant and Elle McPherson in poses suggesting a light-hearted romantic comedy. The movie is actually completely about Tara Fitzgerald's character's journey. What are the clues? The movie starts with Estella both flirting with and rebuffing a sailor on an ocean liner. Hugh Grant is not in the scene at all.

The movie follows Estella much more closely than any of the other characters and at key moments we even see hallucinations as Estella sees them: when she imagines herself naked in church and most importantly, when she "dreams" that the sirens are baptizing her (with water that turns to blood, no less, at which point she "wants to wake up") toward the end of the movie. The offensive painting for which Estella and her husband travel to Sam Neill's house shows a woman crucified in Christ's place, signalling that the female lead, not the male, is the protagonist.

But is the movie about Estella's sexual awakening? Not really.

It is not until after she awakens from the dream described above that the viewer learns the ship on which Estella sailed was the Titanic (look above her head when she and Hugh Grant are on the train leaving Australia--it is the same ship shown throughout the film). What could this mean? Estella is drowning in the wreck of the Titanic. As she is dying she experiences the events in the movie, a mix of Ulysses' sailors drawn to their watery graves by the beautiful sirens, a magical trip to the island of Atlantis (Australia), and religious rumblings of the moral tension between fidelity and self-expression. The "mission" to convince Sam Neill not to exhibit his blasphemous painting represents Estella's fight to stay alive. When she and her husband accept that they will not change Sam Neill's resolve (including the fact that he has painted Estella), Estella is giving up her grip on life. Look at the expression of relief and release on her face in the movie's very last scene before fading to the sirens on the rocks.

With a seemingly slapped on ending in which Estella and husband leave some of their sexual repression behind them, voila: you have a movie that viewers enjoy but is quite a bit deeper, as well.

Check it out, it's beautiful and brilliant!

Sirens
I am not overly fond of arty movies like Sirens so I admit a bit of bias that probably colors my reaction to it. The real theme of the movie, unless I completely missed the point, is the spiritual damage, if not emotional damage, that sexual repression exerts on the individual (and society, if one takes the logic a step further).

Set in the 1930's, a catholic priest is sent to compel a famous artist from displaying an erotic painting that mixes religious with erotic themes that the church finds offensive. This repressed priest and his wife find themselves in the midst of an almost bacchanalian atmosphere, as the artist's models cavort around in a carefree, playful, sexually liberated manner. The real focus the movie really becomes the priest's wife, who starts to find herself drawn into experiences around her and frees herself of her own repressions.

The drawback to the movie is it's just not that entertaining and has no real plot. I enjoyed the imagery and the acting was top notch. But on the whole, I found it somewhat boring.

a work of art
Although I'd love to bore the readers with my thoughtful analysis of this incredible film, I will restrain myself, because the previous reviews (especially those concerning mythologies) are quite thorough and nicely stated.

What I *would* like to point out are the easter eggs throughout the film. Any art buff will have a wonderful experience as classic works of art are recreated "live" during the movie. The movie is worth watching just to see how many you can catch.

But the deeper plot of the movie is art in itself. I highly recommend.

Never Tire of Watching
"Sirens" was about a woman, a preacher's wife, who appears to be intimidated by the sexual frankness of an artist and the models. But she is sexually sealed in the presence of her husband and the people she is staying with. The artist is proud of his work despite what others think.
Tara Fitzgerald is splendid in her performance as a timid preacher's wife. She immerses herself in the roles that she has portrayed relating to what the individual is feeling. The expression shows. She stood out mostly in the movie. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Scorned by reviewers when it came out, this concentrated dose of commando death-dealing to legions of Nazi machine-gun fodder has acquired a cult over the years. In 1968 Clint Eastwood was just getting used to the notion that he might be a world-class movie star; Richard Burton, whose image had been shaped equally by classical theater training and his headline-making romance with Elizabeth Taylor, was eager to try on the action ethos Eastwood was already nudging toward caricature. Alistair MacLean's novel The Guns of Navarone had inspired the film that started the '60s vogue for World War II military capers, so he was prevailed on to write the screenplay (his first). The central location, an impregnable Alpine stronghold locked in ice and snow, is surpassing cool, but the plot and action are ultra-mechanical, and the switcheroo gamesmanship of just who is the undercover double (triple?) agent on the mission becomes aggressively silly. --Richard T. Jameson ... Read more

Reviews (167)

HAMLET ON A HILLTOP
Perhaps I've been jaded by the kinetic fast paced action films of the past ten years, but I found WHERE EAGLES DARE a hit and miss film.Although it has a lot of action scenes, they come too far and few, and seem ridiculously drawn out and predictable.Alistair MacLean is rightfully considered a master of WWII and espionage thrillers and he certainly has wrought a complex, often confusing, plot in this rescue mission in the Alps.With Clint Eastwood the only Americanin the cast, EAGLES is full of noted British character actors and actresses and of course the unflappable presence of Richard Burton.The acting is so refined however that I had a hard time imagining Burton as such a dashing and capable warrior.The late lovely Mary Ure who had worked with Burton in LOOK BACK IN ANGER is merely a feminine presence in this film, but a darned good shot.Notable character actors Anton Diffring, Michael Hordern, Ferdy Mayne and Donald Houston also offer some classy support.But WHERE EAGLES DARE was too long and too convoluted for my taste.I'm not sure I understand even now who was on whose side.The locations and cinematography are gorgeous, though, and if you like this kind of espionage film, you'll probably like WHERE EAGLES DARE.

Great
This movie is good.I thought that it was going to be boring, but I was suprised I enjoyed it so much.It takes place in a snowy valley where the Germans have a castle stonghold.Lots of spy stuff and Clint Eastwood action.GOOD ENDING

Good World War II Fiction!!!
Never has any World War II fictional movie been as suspenseful as those based from the novels of Alistair MacLean where it involves espionage and daring life at risk attempts such as "The Guns of Navarone", "Force Ten from Navarone" and "Where Eagles Dare". All of these MacLean novels fit the criteria where one would wonder "what will happen next?"

"Where Eagles Dare" has a great cast of characters with two veteran actors such as Richard Burton who plays the British commander Major Smith and Clint Eastwood as the only American involved in the rescue attempt, Army Ranger Lieutenant Schaffer, who make a daring attempt to rescue an American general before they could make him talk inside the fortress castle called the "Schloss Adler" (Castle of the Eagles).

The movie was, perhaps, a little too modern for its time. The helicopter, in reality, was planned and under development around the time of World War II in America by Igor Sikorsky, but was not put into use until sometime before the Korean War. The downside of the movie was that of a Gestapo chief, Major Von Hapen (Derren Nesbitt), wearing a black SS Schutzstaffel uniform when, in reality, the Gestapo was a civilian organization. These were made up of agents that did not wear armbands or uniforms since they had to secretly spy on the general public throughout Nazi Germany and occupied countries under their control. The upside of the movie was the mind-boggling by Major Smith shortly after he and Lieutenant Schaffer confront the "general's" captors and British double agents while they were questioning him. One would have to watch the movie more than once in order to understand this segment of the plot. The fight scene on the cable car was also exciting to watch as was the destruction of the Schloss Adler while the daring escape took place.

Overall, this action-packed movie was brilliantly conceived as it was exciting to watch.

Second to None!
After watching this movie countless times over the last twenty-five years and having seen practically every movie that has ever been shown about World War II I can honestly say that this is second to none.Burton and Eastwood are at their best.The plot, settings, music, and scenery are second only to the twists and turns that keep you guessing until the last moments.Despite the number of times that I have viewed this movie, it gives me sewaty palms every time I put it in the player.A must see!!!!

FANTASTIC WW II ACTION FLICK
Where Eaqles Dare is probably only second to The Dirty Dozen as the greatest Action flick about WWII.Like that movie it concerns a daring plot with a group of highly skilled soldiers sent to carry out the mission.led by British officer major Smith (Richard Burton) and American Ranger Lt. Schaffer (Clint Eastwood) the agents seek to rescue a captured American General from a Nazi fortress who has sensitive knowledge of the D-Day invasion.

While obviously an action adventure movie, it's more specifically a `team mission' movie like The Dirty Dozen or a `penetrate the impenetrable fortress' movie. Talk about not making 'em like this any more! There are plenty of fight scenes, chases and Nazi shoot-em-ups.There are the usual stereo-typical Germans, the ruthless Gestapo officer, the stern commander, the visiting General and tons of German soldiers. No problem, ole Clint mows down a whole battalion single handedly. Burton cuts down a company or two himself and both he and Eastwood emerge with nary a scratch.

But hey...this isn't supposed to be a historically accurate film.This is pure, popcorn entertainment with gunfights, fist fights, cliff-hangers (literally) stereotypical nazi villians who can't hit the broad side of the barn and good ol' American and er... British heroes.

The script is entertaining and has a few notable twists in it, a testament to the skill of screenwriter and adventure novelist Alistair MacClain. Character development is not of particular importance in this story and yet one does come away with a palpable sense of Major Smith, a fact that I again acknowledge is the handywork of Burton, whose presence is auspicious regardless of his role.

At three hours it may be a bit overlong but it seems to fly by for the most part.A real classic of the genre and a great precursor to modern day action flicks. ... Read more

Description

The only thing left to break was his heart. Danny and Freya are allies and confidants until the relentless tides of adolescence change them both forever. The hidden sins of a small town's older generation are re-enacted as Danny struggles toward manhood hopelessly in love with his now mesmerizing best friend. She has fallen for a troubled older boy, Trevor, and the three whirl together confused, excited and enthralled by their own budding sexuality. With humor, superb performances and great sympathy, this award-winning film from Australia warmly chronicles the bittersweet aches and the harsh consequences of leaving childhood behind. Noah Taylor ... Read more