Summary
When the Nazi high command learns in late 1943 that Winston Churchill will be spending time at a country estate in Norfolk, it hatches an audacious scheme to kidnap the prime minister and spirit him to Germany for enforced negotiations with Hitler.
Cast
Michael Caine
Col. Kurt Steiner
Donald Sutherland
Liam Devlin
Robert Duvall
Col. Max Radl
Jenny Agutter
Molly Prior
Donald Pleasence
Himmler
Anthony Quayle
Admiral Canaris
Jean Marsh
Joanna Grey
Sven-Bertil Taube
Captain von Neustadt
John Standing
Father Verecker
Judy Geeson
Pamela
Treat Williams
Captain Clark
Larry Hagman
Colonel Pitts
Alexei Jawdokimov
Corporal Kuniski
Richard Wren
Hans Altmann
Michael Byrne
Karl
Joachim Hansen
SS-Obergruppenführer
Denis Lill
Churchill's aide
Rick Parsé
E-Boat Commander
Léonie Thelen
Branna
Keith Buckley
Hauptmann Gericke
Terence Plummer
Arthur Seymour
Tim Barlow
George Wilde (Publican)
John Barrett
Laker Armsby
Kate Binchy
Mrs. White
Maurice Roëves
Major Corcoran
David Gilliam
Sgt. Murphy
Jeff Conaway
Frazier
Asa Teeter
Major Neuer's Driver
Rob Reece
Corporal Becker
Jack McCulloch
Major Neuer
Siegfried Rauch
Sgt. Brandt
Brian Blessed
Arthur Seymour (voice) (uncredited)
Patrick Allen
Opening Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Anthony Forrest
Sgt. Hayley (uncredited)
Wolf Kahler
Hauptsturmführer Fleischer (uncredited)
Roy Marsden
Sturmbannführer Toberg, SS (uncredited)
George Leech
Traumer (uncredited)
Ferdy Mayne
Radl's Doctor (uncredited)
Kent Williams
Mallory (uncredited)
Leigh Dilley
Winston Churchill / George Fowler (uncredited)
Harry Fielder
Motorbike Outrider (uncredited)
Walter Henry
Constable (uncredited)
Crew
Director
John Sturges
Novel
Jack Higgins
Screenplay
Tom Mankiewicz
Reviews
Wuchak
January 3, 2021
7
_**Unconventional WW2 flick from 1977**_
Michael Caine is outstanding as Colonel Steiner, an untamed German paratroop commander, who's covert mission is to go to Britain and kidnap Winston Churchill whilst on a retreat. The Germans are helped by Irishman Liam Devlin, played by Donald Sutherland, who essentially paves the way for their operation at a coastal hamlet (shot in Cornwall and Berkshire, England). Jenny Agutter plays Devlin's near-jailbait romantic interest in the quaint village, while Larry Hagman and Treat Williams play American officers, the former foolishly gung-ho. Robert Duvall and Donald Pleasence are also on hand as Nazi officers.
As you can see from the plot, this is an unconventional WW2 picture. It doesn't feature the typical major battles or stereotypical characters and situations of most war flicks. Both Caine and Sutherland shine in their roles, especially Caine as the fearless Steiner. Memorable moments abound.
The film runs 2 hours, 11 minutes, but feels shorter.
GRADE: B+/A-
Media
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$6,000,000.00
Revenue:
$0.00
Keywords
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