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The Eagle Has Landed movie cover Movie Locations Guide

Where was The Eagle Has Landed filmed?

1976

City Locations

Rovaniemi (Finland) Mapledurham (UK)

Location Types

Film Studio, Church/Temple, Hotels/Motels

Location Styles

Foreign, Building Dated/Retro

About The Eagle Has Landed

The Eagle Has Landed is a compelling combat film released in 1976 that expertly blends fact and fiction. The film is based on Jack Higgins' novel of the same name and was directed by John Sturges.

The premise concentrates on Nazi Germany's daring scheme during World War II to kidnap or assassinate the then-British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. Colonel Max Radl (Robert Duvall) devises this bold plot after learning of Churchill's visit to a small English community.

German paratroopers led by the brave and sneaky Colonel Kurt Steiner (Michael Caine) are sent to England pretending to be Polish troops. They become part of the quiet community and wait for the right time to carry out their plan.

Things go horribly wrong, though, when a young girl from the neighborhood finds out their secret by mistake. Now that their cover has been broken, the men are in a deadly fight against time and British troops. In the end, there is a thrilling battle that will keep you on the edge of your seat. What makes The Eagle Has Landed so interesting is how it looks at the gray areas of battle where good guys and bad guys mix and where duty and morals clash.

One interesting thing about this movie is that the made-up town of Studley Constable was only used in the movie. The village was built from scratch on a private estate in Surrey, England, by the film crew. 14 buildings and a church tower had to be built. This level of care made the movie seem more real and created a believable setting for this high-stakes war story.

The movie has a good Rotten Tomatoes score, with 67% of 12 reviews being positive. In the same vein, seven critics on Metacritic gave the film a good rating of 61%, which shows that most of the reviews are positive.

The Eagle Has Landed Locations

The Eagle Has Landed was shot in multiple locations, and each one had its own setting that helped the story make sense.

Most of the scenes were shot in the made-up village of Studley Constable, which is actually the quiet town of Mapledurham, near Reading, Berkshire. Mapledurham House, which was outside of Reading, was a popular place to stay in the Middle Ages.

Scenes at "Landsvoort Airfield" were filmed at RAF St. Mawgan, which is close to Newquay. The feel of Alderney was caught in Charlestown, which is close to St. Austell, Cornwall. These filming locations helped make the movie feel real and put fans right in the middle of the story.

These shooting locations are worth seeing for anyone interested in movies or history. Over time, the places, especially Mapledurham, have kept their natural beauty. You can almost feel the tension of the story as you walk through these places, which makes for an engaging experience that goes beyond just seeing the sights. Going to these places gives you a connection to the movie and an interesting look into how films are made.

Steiner unsuccessfully attempting to save the Jewish girl scene in The Eagle Has Landed

Rovaniemi, Finland

Steiner and his men come across SS officers who are in the process of liquidating the Jewish Ghetto. Among the victims is a young Jewish girl who is desperately trying to escape. Steiner, horrified by the brutal treatment of the Jews, intervenes in an attempt to save the girl. He defies orders, turning against the SS officers to allow the girl to escape. He attempts to put her on a flatbed train that is leaving the station, hoping she can flee to safety. However, despite his brave and noble efforts, Steiner is unsuccessful in his rescue attempt.

Rovaniemi, Finland, nestled within the Arctic Circle, is renowned as the official hometown of Santa Claus. It's a real-life winter wonderland in Finnish Lapland, offering attractions like the Arktikum Provincial Museum, Pilke Science Centre, and the magical Santa Claus Village. It’s also where this scene was filmed

Getting to Rovaniemi, Finland is an adventure in itself. The city is serviced by Rovaniemi Airport, which welcomes flights from Helsinki and select international destinations. From Helsinki, it’s a quick one-hour flight to Rovaniemi. Alternatively, for those who prefer the scenic route, taking the train from Helsinki offers breathtaking views of Finland's landscape, with the journey lasting approximately 8-12 hours depending on the service chosen.

Scout Filming Locations

Devlin at the bar scene in The Eagle Has Landed

Pier House Hotel, Charlestown, Charlestown Rd, Charlestown, Saint Austell PL25 3NJ, United Kingdom

Devlin (Donald Sutherland), a roguish Irishman, walks into the pub and leans on the bar with his right elbow, creating an air of casual nonchalance. He then has an interaction with the bartender who pours him a drink. However, instead of providing a standard service, the bartender deliberately pours the drink over Devlin's arm. Unfazed by this hostile reception, Devlin responds with a defiant grin, licks the spilled alcohol off his fingers, and demands the bartender pour him another drink. This audacious behavior doesn't sit well with the pub's patrons, leading to Devlin getting ejected from the establishment.

The Pier House Hotel in Charlestown, Cornwall, where this scene was filmed, is a charming inn known for its scenic location overlooking the town's historic Georgian harbor. It offers spacious rooms that blend traditional charm with modern amenities and boasts stunning views of the tall ships in the harbor. The hotel also serves delicious meals, making it a popular destination for both locals and visitors.

Getting to the Pier House Hotel in Charlestown is straightforward. If you’re flying in, the nearest airport is Newquay Cornwall Airport, about 30 minutes away by car. From there, rent a car or take a taxi directly to the hotel. Alternatively, if you're traveling by train, the nearest station is St Austell, which is roughly five miles from Charlestown. Taxis are readily available at the station for a short ride to the hotel.

Find Video Shoot Locations

Churchill is taken by Germans scene in The Eagle Has Landed

Mapledurham House, Mapledurham, Reading RG4 7TR, United Kingdom

Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Norman Rodway) is escorted to a presumably secure residence. The house is in the calm Norfolk village of Studley Constable, but unbeknownst to him, it is a trap laid by German paratroopers dressed as Polish troops. The suspense builds as Churchill participates in a cheerful chat, completely unaware of the looming peril. The room is filled with an unsettling quiet before the storm.

Mapledurham House is a remarkable Elizabethan stately home located in the tranquil village of Mapledurham, Oxfordshire. Nestled beside the River Thames, it's a Grade I listed building known for its stunning architecture, including oak staircases and molded ceilings. The house has been the residence of the Blount family for over 500 years. Today, it stands as a testament to English history and heritage, attracting visitors with its expansive gardens, unique art collection, and captivating history.

To visit Mapledurham House, start by traveling to Reading, Berkshire, in the United Kingdom. Once in Reading, you can drive or take a local bus towards Mapledurham, a picturesque village on the Thames. The house is around five miles northwest of Reading’s city center, making it a quick and scenic drive. For a charming experience, consider a boat trip along the Thames directly to the property’s grounds.

Access Surrey Filming Locations

Alderney scene in The Eagle Has Landed

Charlestown Harbour, Saint Austell PL25 3NJ, United Kingdom

Steiner and his faithful soldiers face court-martial proceedings and are subsequently dispatched to a disciplinary brigade in Alderney, a German-occupied territory. Their assigned task is to carry out extremely dangerous human torpedo assaults against Allied vessels navigating through the English Channel.

Charlestown Harbor, which is on the South Cornish Coast, is a one-of-a-kind working harbor with an interesting maritime past. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site and the last open Georgian harbor in the UK from the years 1790 to 1800. The harbor has beautiful beaches and old-fashioned tall ships. Charlestown also has great places to eat and drink, which makes it an appealing destination for locals and tourists.

Getting to Charlestown Harbour is a simple process. If you're flying, Newquay Cornwall Airport is the closest airport. It's about a 30-minute drive. You can rent a car or take a cab to get straight to the harbor. If you'd rather take the train, the closest stop is St. Austell, which is about five miles from Charlestown.

View Film Shoot Locations

C-47 is held in Landsvoort Airfield scene in The Eagle Has Landed

RAF St Mawgan, R A F St Mawgan, Newquay TR8 4HP, United Kingdom

One remarkable sequence in the film takes place at the imaginary Landsvoort Airfield. This is where a seized C-47 Dakota with Allied markings is stored. The commandos, disguised as Free Polish paratroopers, are about to be airdropped into Norfolk from this plane. The picture portrays the intensity and suspense of the moment against the backdrop of the airfield, which was shot at RAF St Mawgan, five miles outside Newquay.

The Royal Air Force St. Mawgan is a major military base in Cornwall, England, close to the towns of St. Mawgan and Newquay. It is the main office of the Defense Survive, Evade, Resist, and Extract (SERE) Training Organization, which trains about 5,000 people every year. During the Cold War, Lancasters, Shackletons, and Nimrods flew out of this site. It's still the only RAF station in the South West of England.

To get to RAF St. Mawgan, you can fly to Newquay Cornwall Airport, which is only five miles away. For a quick ride, you can rent a car or take a cab from there. If you'd rather come by train, the closest stop is Newquay.

Production Spaces Tour

Conclusion

The Eagle Has Landed is a breathtaking action movie that takes viewers to many interesting places. A pretty town in Norfolk, United Kingdom, is used as the main setting, and when German paratroopers arrive, they make the calm background crazy. The movie does a great job of showing how the peaceful exterior of the town is different from the chaos and tension inside.

The beautiful Mapledurham House in Oxfordshire is used to provide a sense of medieval grandeur and realism. The beautiful estate houses also stand out, adding to the feeling of being in a quaint country setting.

The movie also takes place in a number of other places, including the rough shoreline of Cornwall in the first part. Every setting adds to the mood of the movie, creating tension and pulling viewers into the story. Overall, The Eagle Has Landed is a wonderful example of just how important setting is in stories.