L'Aigle s'est envolé

A rather uncharacteristic war film from the '70s... or have you ever seen a Nazi as likable as Caine's fair killer Steiner, or a sympathetic collaborator like Sutherland's Irish adventurer Devlin? The plot stands on the thin ice of "historical" events... Under the influence of the ominous development of the war, German leaders choose to attempt a mad act – to kidnap Winston Churchill directly from the Isles. So they send in a unit of "Polish" paratroopers, headed by Steiner. Sturges certainly didn't conceive the bad guys in any monstrous way, recounting them as a bunch of soldiers carrying out a mission that is already lost, whilst retaining at least a fraction of humanity. Controversial? Not really. It’s rather refreshing and excellently acted, although thanks to the aforementioned pair of gentlemen on the wrong side, the audience's sympathies turn in a surprising direction, because there are not as many charismatic heroes on the “good" side. The Eagle Has Landed is a typical piece of war craft. It has dramatic moments, decent momentum and finally even tension that escalates in the surprising outcome of the plot. (13/12/2004)

It's a shame about the beaten-down pique between the opinionated and powerful German factions, because otherwise, though somewhat slavish and cut-down on the production design, this is still a solid adaptation (thanks mainly to the cast) of an excellent easygoing novel. (08/06/2016)

The charismatic Michael Cane is the one who lifts this war drama to a higher level. You even wish him success. Kiefer’s daddy also proved himself here. The great idea with kidnapping Churchill is very original and the music by Lalo Schifrin deserves top marks. I’m happy. I have no intention of dying now. (12/02/2011)

Now I know why the Germans failed 65 years ago. They didn't have the likes of Michael Caine and Robert Duvall in the army, they didn't have the help of red-headed Irish goons like Donald Sutherland... And Himmler was no Donald Pleasance. The Eagle Has Landed is a work of fiction with a good idea, sensational actors (on both sides, including Hagman's fighting ranger), Schifrin's addictive score, and Sturges' precise direction. The film has everything - a good story, great dialogue, first-class shootouts and a final thoughtful "what if" ending. (20/06/2010)