Eagle Has Landed, The / The Ipcress File (DVD)

Advantages: It's got Michael Caine in it !
Disadvantages: Looks a bit dated now...

...Based on the novel of the same name by Len Deighton, The Ipcress File (1965) is a story about a Harry Palmer, a counter espionage agent (Michael Caine) dealing with bureaucracy while investigating the kidnapping and subsequent "brain draining" of a nuclear physicist. Along the way, caught between Colonel Ross, his former boss, and his new boss, Dalby, things begin to get pretty "exciting" for Harry.... That's all the plot you're going to get. Go on, watch the film, you know you want to... The Ipcress file is the first of three films with of Harry Palmer (the other two being Funeral in Berlin (1966) and Billion Dollar Brain (1967). "The Ipcress File" takes a fresh (in 1965) look at the spy film genre, very different to the James Bond movies that were hugely popular at that time.. For one, the locations chosen for "The... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Interesting premise, good cast and director
Disadvantages: The DVD it comes on

...and well balanced one, allowing for sympathies and allegiance to fall on both sides of the warring factions. Both the allies and nazi soldiers are presented as human, and characters with great dignity and intelligence, as well as the village folk of Studley Constable who get to have some colour too. To Jack Higgins, Tom Manckiewicz and John Sturges credit, the plan always seems perfectly feasible and not at all outlandish, and ensures that 'The Eagle Has Landed' remains a firm favourite for late night Christmas viewing. But surely you don't need to watch it at Christmas if you can own it on DVD I hear you cry. Well, this is where I urge you in the strongest possible way not to purchase this abominably bad disc. £5.99 it may be, but even I have to admit it was £5.99 badly spent. Carlton entertainment are an insult to the DVD distribution... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A great film, with great performances.
Disadvantages: The action is directed near the end of the film.

...The Eagle Has Landed (1977) It is 1943, and Mussillini has just been rescued from a mountain top prison in Italy by a daring German commando raid. Now Hitler wants Winston Churchill kidnapped. From the pen of Jack Higgins, the film puts you straight into the depths of Nazi Germany and the story of how Colonel Kurt Steiner (MIchael Caine), Liam Delvin (Donald Sutherland) and 15 German paratroopers desend into the quiet English countryside to carry out their do or die mission. The acting performances are first class with Robert Duval as Colonel Max Radl, a battle scarred survivor of the Russian Front that is now the brains behind the mission. A young Jenny Agutter, who provides the love interest for Donald Sutherland as a young nieve country girl. There is a classic casting of Larry Hagman as Colonel Pitts and his fellow American... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful