tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post4679086476536270993..comments2024-03-25T11:29:25.356-04:00Comments on Existential Ennui: The Eagle Has Landed by Jack Higgins; the Original Novel (Collins, 1975): Book Review, Basis for the 1976 MovieNick Jones (Louis XIV, the Sun King)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17716508525331235684noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-82226671800484883402013-01-23T09:29:40.923-05:002013-01-23T09:29:40.923-05:00Quick addendum: Went the Day Well was on telly ove...Quick addendum: Went the Day Well was on telly over Christmas, and Mike's right – The Eagle Has Landed really is remarkably similar!Nick Jones (Louis XIV, the Sun King)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17716508525331235684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-55676552034642105702012-07-20T04:07:15.395-04:002012-07-20T04:07:15.395-04:00Someone mentioned Went the Day Well to me on Twitt...Someone mentioned Went the Day Well to me on Twitter, Mike, and after your comment, I looked it up, never having seen it myself. Seems to be remarkably similar! And thank you for the background publishing info on Eagle – very interesting!Nick Jones (Louis XIV, the Sun King)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17716508525331235684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-27555275991944743072012-07-19T17:44:49.091-04:002012-07-19T17:44:49.091-04:00I'm amazed no one has mentioned the far superi...I'm amazed no one has mentioned the far superior 1942 film "Went the Day Well" about Germann paratroopers taking over an English village prior to a Nazi invasion. (A film memorable for Thora Hird's proficiency with a Lee Enfield rifle!). It was based on a Graham Greene story which I've never been able to track down.<br />As for the book The Eagle Has Landed, the publishing legend is that Jack Higgins almost pulled out of his contract when he was told Collins only planned a print run of 8,000 copies. Higgins was convinced the book would do well - and he was right.Mike Ripleyhttp://www.shotsmag.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-79820562171132145072012-07-19T04:49:54.662-04:002012-07-19T04:49:54.662-04:00Duly noted, Chris. I know the film well, but haven...Duly noted, Chris. I know the film well, but haven't read the book.Nick Jones (Louis XIV, the Sun King)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17716508525331235684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-7288759998692571682012-07-18T19:06:09.626-04:002012-07-18T19:06:09.626-04:00If I might make one further suggestion, for some ...If I might make one further suggestion, for some future series, Donn Pearce's Cool Hand Luke is well worth reading in its own right. In some ways I liked it better than the movie, and I really love the movie.<br /><br />First paperback was a Fawcett Gold Medal, I believe, but I bet you there is a British 1st edition with a beautiful cover. ;)<br /><br />And seriously, even though his writing career kinda fizzled out, Pearce's bio makes him sound like a Westlake character--maybe even a Richard Stark character.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00271250698430923736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-21684976916806390732012-07-18T08:32:03.707-04:002012-07-18T08:32:03.707-04:00Thanks, Chris! The Third Man would be a fine choic...Thanks, Chris! The Third Man would be a fine choice for a follow-up series; I did see a first edition of that at the last Lewes Book Fair, but it was a bit pricey. I may get my hands on one at some point though.Nick Jones (Louis XIV, the Sun King)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17716508525331235684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-1288630202808344182012-07-18T08:24:37.709-04:002012-07-18T08:24:37.709-04:00Sorry to see this series end. No, really!
If you ...Sorry to see this series end. No, really!<br /><br />If you ever revisit it, how about "The Third Man"' movel vs. movie? I honestly don't know who wins that match.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00271250698430923736noreply@blogger.com