I have visited the actual castle on several occasions. Schloss Hohenwerfen is about 90km south of Saltzburg in the town of Werfen, Austria, (which Richard Burton correctly identifies in the movie). It is not on some lofty peak, but sits on a small rise in the middle of an alpine valley. At certain angles, it looks like it is way up high, but you actually walk up into it from the valley parking lot! The only cablecar system associated with the castle is the small one used to haul kegs of beer up to the kitchens! The cable car scenes were filmed not too far away in a neighboring village. The castle is associated with "Eagles" in a way, as its history is one of falconry and hunting with birds in general. They still do demonstrations for tourists. The courtyard where the helicopter landed in the movie is now a beer garden and the "Cablecar Room", whose door the Germans had to break down is now the souvenir shop!
On an actual historical note, there is a bridge not too far from the castle where Otto Skorzeni, the famous German commando, surrendered himself and his remaining troops to the Allies at the end of the war.
http://www.salzburg-burgen.at/en/werfen/
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Originally Posted by Patronen
There is an interesting story about shooting the scene where Clint's character shoots VonHappen played by actor Derren Nesbitt. Apparently Nesbitt had to be rushed to the hospital while he was still in full Gestapo Uniform where they worked to save his eyesite because of an accident while filming.
http://www.derrennesbitt.co.uk/id2.html |