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.

In September of 1943, Col. Max Radl (Robert Duvall) develops a plan, approved by Heinrich Himmler (Donald Pleasance),to kidnap or kill Winston Churchill in England. The rebel Col. Kurt Steiner (Michael Caine),who is arrested with his men due to insubordination, is invited to participate, since he has had a British education. They would have clean records and recover their military patents again. The condition not negotiable of Col. Kurt to accept the mission is that his men wear the German uniform below their costumes, since they are soldiers and not spies. The group, dressed like Polish soldiers, together with the Irish Liam Devlin (Donald Sutherland),goes to a coastal town, where Churchill is supposed to pass through. An incident with a girl reveals their plot to the local civilians, jeopardizing their mission.

Having an outstanding cast and the direction of John Sturges, this movie is a great entertainment, having drama, suspense, action and some comedy in right doses. Fans of war movies will certainly like it. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): 'A Águia Pousou'(' The Eagle Has Landed')

The Eagle Has Landed is watchable, but considering the cast it was disappointing at the same time. It does look good, if perhaps lacking grit, with great cinematography, several sequences are very well shots and the production values are promising. Most of the action is hefty and exciting, John Sturges' direction is credible and the acting is good enough with Michael Caine and Donald Pleasance faring best. However, some of the characters don't convince, especially the Germans as a lurking party, and the screenplay feels rather ramshackle in places. My two main problems with The Eagle Has Landed are the pace and some of the story. The pace does feel rambling sometimes, making the film longer than it is, and the story while interesting at hindsight is far fetched and implausible. Also the second half is better than the first, the first hour or so takes far too long to set up, but the second hour has more suspense and tension. Overall, uneven and didn't quite work as well it should have done, but it is watchable with some entertainment parts. 5/10 Bethany Cox