When Eagles Daredtells the stories of the historical events of World War II and the films that have depicted these events on cinema screens, presenting a guide to history through cinema that compares the cinematic myth with the historical reality. Illustrated with rare posters and stills, it gives us a unique view of this war through the lenses of over 50 diverse films that have shaped our perceptions of the conflict, including Downfall, Patton, Tora! Tora! Tora!, Anzio, The Thin Red Line, Letters from Iwo Jima, Stalingrad, Battle of the Bulge, Cross of Iron,and A Bridge Too Far. The book portrays the men and women who participated in World War II, from the evacuation of the Allied forces from France ( Dunkirk) through to the battle for Berlin and beyond. Each chapter discusses historical events as they unfold and illustrates how these episodes subsequently have been portrayed onscreen by filmmakers. Events discussed include the war in the skies ( Battle of Britainand The Dambusters), the sea ( Sink the Bismarck!),and the North African desert ( The Battle of El Alameinand Tobruk). There are "special mission" movies, including Where Eagles Dareand Inglourious Basterds,classic tales of ingenuity ( The Great Escape), and human endurance ( The Bridge on the River Kwai).