Some of these films have fallen out of favour with me, but at one time they were significant.
Where Eagles Dare
For so long I could not get enough of this film. It’s as much 1968 as a war film. Richard Burton in an action role. Clint Eastwood and him are trying hard to better each other as lead actors in it, and it really works. The Gestapo officer Major Von Hapen played perfectly by Derren Nesbitt is one of the most terrifying villains ever. He and the struggle with Colonel Kramer are perfect. The two women in it also complement each other really well. Add to that castles, cable cars, buses with snowploughs, Bavarian Alps, Focker Tri-motors and it is the most ripping yarn. It is of course an Alistair MacLean screenplay and book. It is obviously complete fiction and WW2 brainwashing but as a kid I found it great. The book is close to it but with notable differences.
When Eight Bells Toll
Another Alistair MacLean screenplay and book. It is set in Scotland and was filmed on the Isle of Mull, Tobermory being the main town in it. The story is rather bizarre and doesn’t really work, but you ignore that as it is so much fun, just like Where Eagles Dare. It’s a 1971 film but the book was 1966 and that shows. It stars Anthony Hopkins and I never really liked him until I saw him do this character. Its a great ripping yarn with loads of set pieces, wacky dialogue and superb scenery. I found this great inspiration for my novel Burning Wolfhound. The book mirrors the screenplay closely.
Nostalgia
A film by Andrei Tarkovsky and my favourite (serious) film ever. It is poetry in visual form, observant, studied and human. I love the slow panning cameras, the detail and the visual feast of it.
The Sheltering Sky
Based on the book by Paul Bowels. The is film directed by Bernardo Bertolucci and stars John Malkovich. My first knowledge of Malkovich, I liked him after that a lot. The film is fairly heart-wrenching and visually stunning. Inspired me to travel, even though it doesn’t go well for them!
Betty Blue
The directors cut is the best, three hours long. I bawled my eyes out at the end. The book is similar but a translation from French.
Girl on a Motorcycle
I love this film. Very flawed, terrible (over) acting. I first saw it in India in a swanky hotel after a gruelling journey. Though it has a lot of cringe moments, it is still awesome. The cinematography of Jack Cardiff is what makes it but the underpinning of the original French novel is obviously what carries it through. It is deeper than the frivolous title may suggest and is fairly heart-wrenching. Add to that a lot of period motorcycle action and the 1968 theme again!