Anyone know if The Eagle Has Landed UK BD is ok?

wastedyuthe · 04-04-2008, 8:23 PM

For the life of me I can't find any reviews of the BD version anywhere online. Has anyone bought/seen it, and can they tell me if it is good enough to buy please? Likewise, if anyone can post a link to an online review I have missed please do so. Thanks.

dannyboy104 · 04-04-2008, 8:33 PM

Here is my take on the "The Eagle Has Landed" Blu-ray. I can confirm that the disc plays in my US BDP-S1 so is region free. It is worth pointing out that this disc has been mastered at the correct speed of 24fps,unlike the Pal dvd.This is the UK theatrical cut and not the more recent extended version. Picture quality looks good, and very impressive in bright daylight scenes around the village.There is a fair amount of film grain present in places,but this still looks the best I have seen the movie on home video.This is a real step up from the standard dvd.Audio is a very nice Dolby digital stereo track with good seperation and depth to the bass.
The menu is very basic, scene selection and english subtitle.There are no extra's at all which is a shame as the 2 disc pal dvd has a good selection.
The cast -Michael Caine,Robert Duvall,Donald Sutherland,Jenny Agutter,Donald Pleance and Anthony Quayle and Larry Hagman. Directed by John Sturges.

hope this is of some help.

wastedyuthe · 04-04-2008, 8:40 PM

Thank you very much Dannyboy104 (fan of Where Eagles Dare by any chance? Me too). It all sounds great bar the lack of extras and the fact that it is NOT the extended cut. I haven't actually seen the extended version. If you have seen it, is it any better than the theatrical version? I know some extra scenes help with character development etc, but sometimes extended version can tend to drag (Abyss).

pjclark1 · 04-04-2008, 9:00 PM

20 screen caps here
http://home.worldwidedvdforums.com/f...p?f=59&t=14982

PQ was OK, but I prefer the extended cut on DVD, it shows much more of the German part of the story.

comparison of Blu-Ray and DVD

wastedyuthe · 04-04-2008, 9:09 PM

Thanks again, friend. I don't suppose the extended version is available anywhere on BD? Perhaps I aught to wait to see if they re-release the film as such.

dannyboy104 · 04-04-2008, 10:00 PM

Yes, Big Fan of Where Eagles Dare.

The extra scenes are:

The new Region 2 DVD contains an extended cut of the film with a running time of 145 mins (25 fps). The additional scenes are:
1. Different pre-title sequence with Himmler arriving at the castle seen in the opening credits. Himmler, Canaris and Hitler exit a meeting, where Himmler suggests the feasibility study of the Churchill kidnap plot to Canaris. This runs into the title sequence.
2. After the scene between Radl and Canaris, Radl goes to his own office to find his doctor waiting for him. A conversation follows which suggests that Radl is terminally ill.
3. Extension of the scene between Devlin and Joanna Grey where she gives him money for the trucks, warns him about stolen petrol and they toast the success of the mission. This is followed by Devlin riding through the village on his motorcycle, across the marsh, arriving at his cottage and looking around. This runs into the scene of Devlin arriving at the village pub.
4. After the scene in the dunes between Devlin and Molly Prior, there is a scene between Steiner and Von Neustadt at the airfield where they discuss their chances of success.
5. That scene runs into Devlin arriving at his cottage. He is joined by Molly Prior. They talk and Devlin reads poetry to her.
6. After Devlin takes delivery of the trucks, he re-enters the cottage to find Molly there. She confronts him, mistakenly thinking he is a black marketeer. These two scenes make more sense of her later declaration of love for Devlin to Arthur Seymour.
7. Directly after Himmler rips up Radl's letter, there is a short scene with Father Verecker reading a newspaper in the vestry of the church. He is surprised by Laker Armsby who enters via the tunnel (used by Devlin and Steiner later). This basically explains where it comes and goes to.

Its such a shame they didn't release both versions on the Blu-Ray, I think as of today you need to have R2 SE and Blu-Ray(correct 24fps)

wastedyuthe · 04-04-2008, 10:34 PM

Thanks again. I think I will just look out for the extended version on dvd for the moment then. Sounds like it really benefits from some of those extra clips. I should imagine they'll re-release the BD at some point in the future with hopefully both versions available next time. Until then, I'll just put up with upscaling SD DVD. Cheers, you've been a big help