Clint Eastwood may be best known for his iconic Westerns, but the Hollywood star who turns 95 this year also starred in a couple of epic World War 2 films.
Before directing Second World War companion films Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima in his later life, he played lead roles in Where Eagles Dare and Kelly’s Heroes.
Both classics from the early New Hollywood period are on BBC Two this afternoon as part of a double-bill.
Check out their plots and what time they’re broadcast below.
First up is 1970’s Kelly’s Heroes at 12:30pm in a comedy heist that had Eastwood star opposite Telly Savalas, Don Rickles and Donald Sutherland. The plot follows a group of American soldiers who learn about Nazi gold hidden behind enemy lines from a drunk German. As a result, they head off on a mission to steal it for themselves. While filming the movie, Eastwood was on the floor laughing after sharing some bad news with Sutherland.
Meanwhile, the second half of the double-bill starts at 2:50pm with 1968’s Where Eagles Dare. Another Eastwood World War 2 classic, this spy adventure co-stars Richard Burton and Mary Ure. The plot follows a Special Operations Executive team on a mission to save a captured American General from a Nazi fortress. That is, until they discover their quest isn’t quite what it seems.