"...has the form and visual beauty of a dark fairy tale." — New York Times
Directed by Sydney Pollack
Sydney Pollack's adaptation of author William Eastlake's WWII satire strikes an allegorical tone in a freefloating structure that anticipates Mike Nichols' adaptation of Catch-22 (1970). In one of his most enigmatic roles, Burt Lancaster sports an eye patch as Maj. Abraham Falconer who stations his platoon in a 10th century chateau in the path of advancing German lines despite the irreplaceable art treasures housed within. While Falconer carries on an affair with with the chateau's countess, he and his men meditate on art, sex, death and Volkswagens before everything goes up in flames.
Columbia Pictures. Producers: Martin Ransohoff, John Calley. Based on the novel by William Eastlake. Screenwriter: Daniel Taradash, David Rayfiel. Cinematographer: Henri Decaë. Editor: Malcolm Cooke. Cast: Burt Lancaster, Patrick O’Neal, Jean-Pierre Aumont, Peter Falk, Astrid Heeren.
35mm, color, 105 min.
Watch the trailer below.
