Peter Van Eyck Movies

This bleak World War II action drama, directed by John Guillermin, concerns the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen -- the last remaining span across the Rhine into Germany during the final days of the war in 1945. German General von Brock (Peter Van Eyck) is ordered to blow up the bridge rather than let it fall into American hands. Von Brock is reluctant to carry out the orders, however, because that would mean abandoning 50,000 soldiers to the on-coming Americans. Putting Major Paul Kreuger (Robert Vaughn) in charge, he tells him to try to hold the bridge as long as possible. Meanwhile, U.S. Brigadier General Skinner (E.G. Marshall) is trying to trap the retreating Germans by making a push to the Rhine. Leading the offensive is Major Barnes (Bradford Dillman), an officer held in contempt by most of the men. Platoon leader Lieutenant Phil Hartman (George Segal) takes a particular dislike to him. Hartman is also at odds with Sergeant Angela (Ben Gazzara), a scavenger who likes to steal from the corpses of dead German soldiers. As the Americans push onward to Remagen, the Germans step up their resistance. When the Americans reach Remagen, Krueger unsuccessfully attempts to blow up the bridge and throws all his soldiers into a full-assault on the Americans. Skinner orders that the American soldiers must push forward and take the bridge intact. In the face of heavy German opposition, Hartman and Angelo find that they must put aside their differences and fight for a common cause -- to take the bridge at all costs. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

In this western adventure, Shalako (Sean Connery) leads a hunting expedition in the wilds of New Mexico. There they run across an Apache camp where the Countess Irina (Brigitte Bardot) is being held hostage. When the Indians retaliate by destroying the camp of the European aristocrats, Shalako must use his wiles to battle the Indians and the jealous members of his own hunting party. The camp is robbed by Fulton (Stephen Boyd), who runs off with the wife of Sir Dagget (Jack Hawkins). Lady Boyd (Honor Blackman) leaves her rich husband in a dramatic split decision prompted by the marital discord between her and her pompous husband. Shalako leads the survivors through dangerous mountain terrain, engaging in climactic hand-to-hand combat. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

This uneven and humorless drama is taken from the writings of Sholom Aleichem. Unfortunately, this movie version falls short of the tragic comedy presented in the original text. Tovie is a poor milkman who must work hard to support his wife and seven daughters. One by one, the young women leave the house when they reach the age when they can marry. The film was shown at the Cannes Film Festival and was partially financed by government funds from Germany and Israel, though it seems a shame that the money wasn't better spent. Perhaps purists were upset at the theatrical success of the musical Fiddler on the Roof and wanted something more solemn and reverential. The stories of the great Yiddish author were adapted by Norman Jewison just three years later into a vastly superior film of the musical, which captured the comedy and pathos of the rural Jewish poor so ably rendered in the stories. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

In this romantic drama, a harried man abandons his wife in favor of the quiet life on a remote island in the Adriatic Sea. His mother is devastated and hires a beautiful private detective to track him down and bring him back. Later the son and the investigator fall in love and, against the wishes of his mom, marry. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

La Guerre Secrete is divided into four separate vignettes, each scene representing a day in the life of international espionage agents. Stories involve a secret agent (Vittorio Gassman) who goes undercover as a kidnapper, an attempt to impede a Russian attack on two submarines, and an undercover agent confronting a traitor in the Berlin offices of the CIA. Linking the stories is Robert Ryan as a US Intelligence chief. Terence Young directed the English-language sequences, while Christian-Jacques and Carlo Lizzani handled the French and Italian sequences, respectively. German director Werner Klinger's name does not appear on the US credits of The Dirty Game, inasmuch as his scenes were cut from all American prints. Dirty Game sank without a trace on its initial release, only to pop up on television, intermittently, throughout the '70s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

American audiences were disappointed when the nude scenes featuring sexy Baby Doll (1956) star Carroll Baker were excised from this potboiler for its exhibition on U.S. shores. At an isolated oil pumping station deep in the African desert, workers Kramer (Peter Van Eyck), Fletcher (Ian Bannen), Macey (Denholm Elliott), Martin (Hansjorg Felmy), and Santos (Mario Adorf) are tense, lonely, and love-starved. A little excitement unexpectedly comes into their lives when they rescue a couple, Jimmy (Biff McGuire) and Catherine (Baker), from a wreck. While Jimmy is bed-ridden with his injuries, Catherine flirtatiously arouses passions and inflames simmering resentments among the oil crew. An amusing dalliance goes too far when Catherine sleeps first with Kramer and then Martin. Based on the play Men Without a Past by Jacques Maret, Station Six-Sahara (1963) played as the B-slot picture on a double bill with Topkapi (1964). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

A man insists that he was framed for a hit-and-run driving accident. ~ All Movie Guide

Fritz Lang had washed his hands of the Dr. Mabuse series with 1960's 1000 Eyes of Dr. Mabuse. Thus, the directorial reins of Dr. Mabuse vs. Scotland Yard (Scotland Yard jagt Dr. Mabuse) were in the capable, if not inspired, hands of Paul May. Declared legally dead, the evil, megalomaniac Mabuse continues to exercise his influence from beyond the grave. The Doc's spirit takes over the body of a kindly and above-reproach professor. A London crime wave ensues, with Scotland Yard always one step behind Mabuse. Wolfgang Preiss (as Mabuse and his alter ego), Peter Van Eyck and Klaus Kinski are featured in this heady combination of crime drama and sci-fi. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This overdone German film relies on a repetitive plot centered around bedroom antics worthy of daytime dramas. A call girl (Hildegard Knef) teaches the "ways of love" to a boy (Thomas Fritsch). The boy uses the knowledge to seduce the young wife (Alexandra Stewart) of his professor (Martin Held). Meanwhile, the professor carries on with his secretary (Daliah Lavi). The story continues in like fashion, with little else to give it strength. ~ Lucinda Ramsey, All Movie Guide

In this mystery, a German reporter looks into the death of a nightclub singer. His investigations reveal more than murder when he discovers a white slave ring operating between Marseilles and Tangeiers. More trouble ensues when he falls in love with one of the intended slaves. This inspires him to destroy the ring before it destroys her. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

This third film version of the Curt Siodmak scare piece Donovan's Brain stars Peter Van Eyck as an overly dedicated scientist. When a powerful and ruthless financier dies in a plane crash, Van Eyck keeps the tycoon's brain alive in his laboratory. Gradually, the brain takes over the doctor's mind, forcing him into all sorts of evil chicanery. In a twist not found in the Siodmak original, the brain compels Van Eyck to seek out the financier's murderer. Anne Heywood costars as the dead man's daughter. A strong mulinational supporting cast distinguishes this Anglo-German coproduction. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide