Where Eagles Dare Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Where Eagles Dare" on Blu-ray presents a 1080p transfer that walks a fine line between impressing and underwhelming the viewer. While inheriting some of the same visual inconsistencies noted in its counterpart, "Kelly's Heroes," such as noticeable film grain and occasional softness in details, it manages to maintain integrity where it counts. The source material’s limitations are evident, particularly in scenes laden with dirt, debris, and unfortunate artifacts that include blocking and halos, suggesting a less-than-ideal restoration process reflective of its budgetary constraints. However, the movie’s broader vistas and action sequences exhibit a commendable level of sharpness, albeit with a somewhat muted color palette dominated by grays, whites, and blacks.

The nighttime sequences in both films highlight the challenges of transferring older movies to Blu-ray; deep blacks at times obscure finer details, though "Where Eagles Dare" occasionally benefits from its stark contrast levels that enhance the snowy Alpine settings. The texture detail, crucial for immersing viewers in the wartime environment – from the meticulous uniforms to the rugged landscapes – fluctuates, often impacted by the film's original production techniques rather than the transfer process itself. Notably, the Blu-ray reveals the limitations of visual effects of the era, with matte shots and rear projection becoming more apparent, though this may also serve to heighten nostalgia for aficionados of classic war cinema.

Colors in both titles tend to lean towards realism with their respective palettes, even if vividness is sparingly employed. Believable hues contribute to the authenticity of military gear and environments, with the occasional pop of color, like the red credits or explosive fire effects, offering brief highlights. Despite these films' video presentations not reaching the pinnacle of current high-definition potential, they offer a significantly polished experience over previous DVD releases, showcasing refined textures and improved clarity that will surely be appreciated by fans.

The audio presentation of "Where Eagles Dare" on Blu-ray, delivered via a DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack, suffers from a number of limitations that stem primarily from the age and original recording quality of the film's sound elements. Despite these constraints, the audio occasionally shines, particularly in its music presentation, with Ron Goodman’s score providing a livelier auditory experience by making use of the rear speakers more so than other elements of the soundtrack. However, this modest victory does not entirely salvage an overall lackluster audio performance. The soundstage demonstrates a surprising but limited spaciousness, with sound effects including gunfire and explosions being convincing to a degree but never truly engaging or powerful. This results in an audio experience that is succinct but flawed, lacking a compelling immersive or dynamic range that modern audiences might expect from a 5.1 surround sound mix.

Dialogue across both films remains clean and discernible, which stands as a consistent component in the otherwise inconsistent execution of the soundtracks. Unfortunately, this clarity in dialogue does not extend to a robust use of the available channels. Both films exhibit a front-heavy mix, with minimal effective use of surround channels to create an enveloping atmosphere or convincingly locate sounds within the 3D space around the listener. There's an absence of detailed sound imaging, reducing the potential for an immersive audio experience that fully utilizes the home theater environment. Additionally, while music occasionally breaks this front-loaded trend, it also highlights the soundtracks' inadequacies by contrasting with the less refined quality of other audio elements.

In sum, while the tracks provide an acceptable level of audio for films of their age, there are tangible missed opportunities to fully engage the capabilities of a 5.1 surround setup. The lack of rear channel support and dynamic range, coupled with only momentary utilization of the full soundstage for music, results in a presentation that does not showcase the full potential of the Blu-ray format. Consequently, while fans may find the audio passable given the vintage of the movies, it is unlikely to impress audiophiles or those seeking a demonstration-worthy sound experience from their home theater systems.

The extra presentation for the Blu-ray of "Where Eagles Dare" provides a modest but essential glimpse into the making and promotion of the film, aimed squarely at film enthusiasts and historians. Included is the "On Location: 'Where Eagles Dare'" featurette, presented in 1080p with a runtime slightly over 12 minutes, offering valuable behind-the-scenes insights and a nostalgic peek at the production process of its era. A brief appearance by Elizabeth Taylor adds a touch of star quality to this vintage footage. Complementing this featurette is the film's theatrical trailer, also in 1080p, that runs for 2:20, which, while brief, serves as a snapshot of how the movie was initially marketed. The extras, though limited, are neatly preserved, reflective of their original quality, and present a direct connection to cinema history.

Extras included in this disc:

• On Location: 'Where Eagles Dare': A vintage behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original film trailer in 1080p.

Warner Brothers presents two distinguished yet contrasting WWII films starring Clint Eastwood: "Kelly's Heroes" and "Where Eagles Dare," both directed by Brian G. Hutton. These movies deviate from the typical portrayal of Eastwood's characters, offering a passive representation where circumstances, rather than individual actions, dictate the narrative's progression. This collection underscores a thematic deviation within the genre, exploring facets of war through unconventional lenses.

"Kelly's Heroes," rated at 2.5/5, merges military comedy with a bank heist storyline set in Nazi-occupied France. This film encounters its cardinal challenge in pacing and tone, oscillating between comedic moments reminiscent of Civil War sitcoms and stark realities of warfare. The extended runtime (143 minutes) exacerbates these issues, diluting the impact of both humor and action. The portrayal of soldiers, motivated more by personal gain than collective heroism, reflects a discontent rooted in the Vietnam War era's sentiment. Despite its shortcomings, performances by Donald Sutherland (Oddball) and Carroll O'Connor (Major General Colt) inject appreciated levity and dimension into the film.

Conversely, "Where Eagles Dare," at a 3.5/5 rating, presents a gripping thriller that veers away from conventional war narratives. Under Hutton's direction, this film flourishes beyond its slow start, morphing into a sophisticated blend of espionage and high-stakes action akin to a James Bond adventure set against the backdrop of WWII. Richard Burton shines as Major John Smith, embodying both the physicality required for the action sequences and delivering a commanding performance in moments demanding gravitas. The plot's complexity, enriched by Alistair MacLean's writing, coupled with Ron Goodwin's robust score, elevate this film beyond mere historical reenactment to a cinematic experience brimming with intrigue and dynamism.

Warner's Blu-ray two-pack release featuring "Where Eagles Dare" and "Kelly's Heroes" primarily targets fans of WWII cinema and Clint Eastwood aficionados. Each film has been given its own disc, presenting them in their original aspect ratios along with lossless DTS soundtracks. Despite this commendable effort to maintain audiovisual integrity, it’s notable that the supplementary materials are sparse, with "Kelly’s Heroes" notably lacking beyond a mere trailer. Nonetheless, the movies stand on their merits, supported by a pricing strategy that reflects a fair balance between quality and affordability.

Upon close inspection, it becomes apparent that both titles, particularly "Where Eagles Dare," suffer from source-related limitations when viewed in high definition. This revelation may marginally disappoint purists or new viewers with heightened expectations for contemporary A/V standards. However, these issues do not entirely detract from the enjoyment of the films, especially for viewers who come with a preexisting appreciation for the genre or the star. While the lack of extras is a missed opportunity for deeper engagement, the primary audience—existing fans and those with a specific interest in WWII narratives or Clint Eastwood’s extensive filmography—will find the core presentation satisfactory.

In conclusion, while the Blu-ray release of "Where Eagles Dare" and "Kelly's Heroes" does well to cater to its intended audience with respectable audiovisual fidelity and separates itself with an appealing price point, it falls short in providing a comprehensive package due to the scarcity of supplementary content. This, combined with inherent limitations in source material quality, suggests that these releases are best suited for enthusiasts of the genre and Eastwood's body of work, rather than newcomers or those seeking a flawless cinematic experience.