Michael Caine
Col. Kurt Steiner
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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.
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| Release Date | 1976-12-24 |
|---|---|
| Runtime | 2h 15m |
| Directors | John Sturges, Anthony B. Richmond, David C. Anderson, Terence Churcher, Michael Stevenson, John Wilcox |
| Producers | Jack Wiener, David Niven Jr. |
| Writers | Tom Mankiewicz, Jack Higgins |
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-
— Wuchak