Castle Keep (1969)
-
43% of critics liked it
(7 reviews) -
46% of users liked it
(2,041 ratings)
This decidedly different war movie follows Maj. Abraham Falconer (Burt Lancaster), a tired, one-eyed Army officer, as he leads eight men into Belgium where they hope to take a much-needed rest at a 10th century castle. The master of the house, Henri Tixier (Jean-Pierre Aumont), welcomes them with a… More This decidedly different war movie follows Maj. Abraham Falconer (Burt Lancaster), a tired, one-eyed Army officer, as he leads eight men into Belgium where they hope to take a much-needed rest at a 10th century castle. The master of the house, Henri Tixier (Jean-Pierre Aumont), welcomes them with a surprising degree of enthusiasm. Tixier is married to his young niece, Therese (Astrid Heeren), and the couple would like to have a child, but since Tixier is impotent, he has been unable to father one. He encourages Falconer to see if he can have better luck with Therese. The men under Falconer's command have more than a few escapades of their own, as Sgt. Rossi (Peter Falk) seduces the wife of a local baker, an art historian among them tries to protect the treasures of the castle, and a car buff becomes fascinated by his first encounter with a Volkswagen. Amidst the surreal fun and games at the castle, the soldiers make the most of their well-deserved vacation until an invasion of German troops puts them back on the firing line. Directed by Sydney Pollack, Castle Keep was based on a novel by William Eastlake. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Sydney Pollack
- Written By
- William Eastlake, Daniel Taradash, David Rayfiel
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy
- In Theaters
- Jul 23, 1969 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Entertainment
Critic Reviews
-
Variety Staff, Variety
Apparent efforts to insert a fresh side of war by concentrating on some of its grim humor act more as a deterrent than a booster to interest.
-
, Time Out
Pollack's folly remains an intriguing curio in spite of its pretensions.
-
Vincent Canby, New York Times
It's a sometimes funny and entertaining movie that accomplishes the dubious feat of being both anti and pro war at the same time.
-
, Hollywood Reporter
There are some deliberate and successful moments of comedy that do not undercut the seriousness of the war, but effectively accommodate the more absurd moments.
-
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The dialog is very salty, but the action spotty.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Also available on
UltraViolet Retailers
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Cast
-
Burt Lancaster
as Maj. Abraham Falconer
-
Patrick O'Neal
as Capt. Lionel Beckman
-
Jean-Pierre Aumont
as Henri Tixier Comte de Maldorais
-
Peter Falk
as Sgt. Orlando Rossi
-
Scott Wilson
as Cpl. Ralph Clearboy
-
Tony Bill
as Lieutenant Amberiack
-
Al Freeman Jr.
as Pfc. Alistair Benjamin
-
James Patterson
as Pvt. Henry Three Ears of an Elk
-
Bruce Dern
as Lt. Billy Byron Bix
-
Michael Conrad
as Sgt de Vaca
-
Caterina Boratto
as The Red Queen
-
Astrid Heeren
as Therese Contesse de Maldorais
-
Harry Baird
as Dancing Soldier
-
Karen Blanguernon
as The Red Queen's girl
-
Elizabeth Tessier
as The Red Queen's girl
-
Ernest Clark
as British Colonel