Eagle Has Landed, The
Date: 1976
Director: John Sturges
Production Company: Associated General Films, ITC Entertainment
Stars: Michael Caine, Donald Sutherland, Robert Duvall, Jenny Agutter, Donald Pleasence, Anthony Quayle, Jean Marsh, Treat Williams, Larry Hagman
Location(s): Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cornwall, London, Rovaniemi (Finland)
Region(s): London E-G, Rest Of The World, South East E-L, South West
Storyline:
WWII thriller, Germans in East Anglia, hoping to kidnap, but, if not, kill, Churchill. SJ
Additional Information:
Graham Smith sent in this link with the following info
https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/filming-the-eagle-has-landed-in-1976/
In the photo “troops preparing for a scene” the gentleman standing side ways on with long hair on the side yet little on top to the rear of the photo is my son in law’s step granddad who is in the credits as John Patterson “locations manager” but was also a brilliant scenery builder who travelled the world on many films due to his expertise in that field.
John still lives locally and during family gathering regales us with fascinating stories about the film. Incidentally Mrs Gray’s (Jean Marsh) cottage in the film was owned by a very nice woman whom John persuaded to allow him to use and she latterly married John and sadly passed away a few years ago. The lady in question was my son in law’s grandmother.
During the filming we had the “drought” of 1976 and John informs me that they had to spray paint the grass green several times as it was brown due to the weather. As you may see from your later photo several buildings including the shops and pub were all built for the film so never existed in the village. The mill itself had another mill built on the front of the original as seen in your latter photo so it could be blown up in the film.
I also had a hand in the film as I worked for Roneo Vickers and serviced the Roneo 250 duplicator that printed off the sheets informing everyone where they should and should not be for the filming each day. The staff were in the little village hall at the top of the lane.
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If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.
We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
No actors but a pretty Bavarian hilltop. Manuel is more precise, "The inner courtyard of Hohenschwangau Castle, where Donald Pleasence as Reichsführer Himmler arrives to meet Hitler and Canaris."
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
No actors but a pretty view of the Alps. Manuel's precision again, "The view from the North towards Hohenschwangau Castle above the nearby lake called Alpsee, located in the Ostallgäu district of Bavaria, Germany. This location is no coincidence, because director Sturges knew the area already from the shooting of "The Great Escape", partly filmed in the town of Füssen."
- Capture 3
- 24 Nov 2008
Somerset House standing for Germany.
Now, the west side. SJ.
- Capture 4
- 24 Nov 2008
Somerset House again.
Now. SJ.
- Capture 5
- 20 May 2019
The goods yard at Rovaniemi in Finland. Rovaniemi is Reima Mukkala's home town and he advises that the location was actually a 'locomotive stables'. (RL)
He has provided us with this and other shots as near to the screen capture as he was able. (RL)
- Capture 6
- 20 May 2019
The goods yard at Rovaniemi in Finland.
This shot from Reima reveals the sad passage of time. (RL)
- Capture 7
- 20 May 2019
The goods yard at Rovaniemi in Finland. The locomotive stables at Rovaniemi once more. (RL)
More general photographs taken by Reima at this location has be viewed at https://remix.kuvat.fi/kuvat/Katoavaa+Kaupunkia/Veturitalli/ (Veturitalli = locomotive stables) (RL)
- Capture 8
- 22 Nov 2008
- 04 Apr 2026
Charlestown Harbour near St. Austell, Cornwall.
Now. Trees prevent an exact match. SJ.
Updating the record, Mark Alford matches the scene.
- Capture 9
- 22 Nov 2008
- 04 Apr 2026
The Bell & Dragon, Alderney . . .
. . . actually the Pier Head Hotel, Charlestown. SJ.
Mark Alford found a change of name.
- Capture 10
- 22 Nov 2008
- 04 Apr 2026
This is supposed to be the Channel Island of Alderney.
Now. SJ.
A closer view from Mark Alford.
- Capture 11
- 22 Nov 2008
- 04 Apr 2026
Imagine the disappointment when I went on a family holiday in Alderney and found just a very long pier and no Michael Caine. An early location trip which taught one the power of the cinema.
Unchanged though the pier seems to have entry restrictions. SJ.
Mark Alford found restrictions in place.
- Capture 12
- 22 Nov 2008
- 04 Apr 2026
Charlestown.
Looking across to the east. SJ.
A good match by Mark Alford.
- Capture 13
- 22 Nov 2008
- 23 May 2025
The pub after Donald Sutherland has been launched through the window.
Though I've missed it, the window is back along with some extra railing. SJ.
Margaret Newson found a plainer facade and a simplified name.
- Capture 14
- 22 Nov 2008
Mapledurham, Berkshire. Note the fake buildings in the church car park.
The car park now, locked out of season it seems. SJ.
- Capture 15
- 22 Nov 2008
- 06 Aug 2026
The water mill at Mapledurham.
This is not easily accessible either, behind a fence. SJ.
Doron Jensen visited and took this update. (SJ)
- Capture 16
- 22 Nov 2008
- 06 Aug 2026
St. Margaret's Church, Mapledurham.
Between Mapledurham. SJ.
The tree on the left has grown to confound the original angle. Doron again. (SJ)
- Capture 17
- 22 Nov 2008
Outside the church.
The 1939 gates have been put back, same noticeboard. SJ.
- Capture 18
- 09 Dec 2022
US Army HQ. Website visitor Andrew Radgick did a great job of recognising this location as the entrance lodge to Warfield Hall, Berkshire. He also notes that in the film it has a different gate from the current one.
The smarter gates at Warfield Hall (Steve Randall)
- Capture 19
- 'Now' required
US Army HQ. Identified by 45doyle on the Britmovie site as Warfield Hall, Berkshire, info from Neil Rigby. And above.
- Capture 20
- 22 Nov 2008
- 06 Aug 2026
Training exercises near the mill.
Now. SJ.
A closer view from Doron. (SJ)
- Capture 21
- 22 Nov 2008
In the grounds of Mapledurham House where a fake pub was built.
Now. SJ.
- Capture 22
- 13 Aug 2012
Near the mill as the plot is discovered.
Thanks to Mark O'Neill who took this one on a recent trip to Mapledurham aka Studley Constable.
- Capture 23
- 22 Nov 2008
Step Cottage as one approaches Mapledurham.
Step Cottage unchanged, even the horseshoe above the door. SJ.
- Capture 24
- 22 Nov 2008
St Margaret's Church (the interior was a set, btw).
Now. SJ.
- Capture 25
- 22 Nov 2008
On the outskirts of Mapledurham.
Taller hedge. SJ.
- Capture 26
- 22 Nov 2008
The church and Malpedurham House.
Now. SJ.
- Capture 27
- 27 May 2023
Behind Mapledurham House.
Lee Langton returned to the location.
- Capture 28
- 'Now' required
Sutherland's cottage. Black Park, Wexham, Buckinghamshire, not far from Pinewood Studios in Iver, Buckinghamshire. The cottage was built for the film, in the middle of the park, and later demolished. Michael Kite.
- Capture 29
- 22 Nov 2008
- 04 Apr 2026
Robert Duvall back at Charlestown.
Now. To the east of the harbour. SJ.
Pretty well unchanged in Mark Alford's comparison.
- Capture 30
- 22 Nov 2008
- 04 Apr 2026
Firing squad just to the east of Charlestown harbour.
The beach now, with partially broken breakwater. SJ.
A brighter day when Mark Alford ventured to the shore.