Where Eagles Dare (1968)

Directed by Brian G. Hutton

This is the 2nd of a total of three Alistair MacLean penned WWII films.  The others being Guns of Navarone, and it's sequel Force 10 from Navarone.  It's notable as a very early example of the sort of frenetic breakneck pace action movie we are familiar with today. They definitely don't make WWII movies like this anymore, that's for sure. Don't examine the details too closely, it's no docu-drama, this is an exciting popcorn action flick.  One of the best.

Eight Iron Men (1952)

Directed by Edward Dmytryk

Very rarely seen movie, it doesn't appear to have gotten any sort of proper release on home video.  It's reputation is basically non-existent.  It's actually pretty good, I don't know why it's so poorly distributed and rarely talked about.  This is a human drama with tension and suspense, not a run and gun WWII action flick.  It's in a similar vein to something like Stalag 17.  The characters are well developed and drive the plot along nicely.  Lee Marvin, in his biggest role up to that time, plays the gruff Sergeant of the outfit.

The film is based on a stage play.  Incredibly enough, the guy who played the Sergeant in the stage version was none other than Burt Lancaster.  It was this role that was responsible for him being noticed and working in Hollywood soon after.