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IMDbPro

L'aigle et le vautour

Original title: Once an Eagle
  • TV Mini Series
  • 1976–1977
  • 9h
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
536
YOUR RATING
L'aigle et le vautour (1976)
DramaWar

A story of the professional and private lives of two Army officers, Court Massengale an incompetent schemer who doesn't care about his men, and Sam Damon, a heroic and caring leader from Wor... Read allA story of the professional and private lives of two Army officers, Court Massengale an incompetent schemer who doesn't care about his men, and Sam Damon, a heroic and caring leader from World War I to the end of World War II.A story of the professional and private lives of two Army officers, Court Massengale an incompetent schemer who doesn't care about his men, and Sam Damon, a heroic and caring leader from World War I to the end of World War II.

  • Stars
    • Sam Elliott
    • Cliff Potts
    • Darleen Carr
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.0/10
    536
    YOUR RATING
    • Stars
      • Sam Elliott
      • Cliff Potts
      • Darleen Carr
    • 44User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 2 nominations total

    Episodes9

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    TopTop-rated1 season

    Photos7

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    Top cast99+

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    Sam Elliott
    Sam Elliott
    • Sam Damon
    • 1976–1977
    Cliff Potts
    Cliff Potts
    • Courtenay Massengale
    • 1976–1977
    Darleen Carr
    Darleen Carr
    • Tommy Caldwell
    • 1976–1977
    Amy Irving
    Amy Irving
    • Emily Pawlfrey Massengale
    • 1976–1977
    Glenn Ford
    Glenn Ford
    • George Caldwell
    • 1976–1977
    Robert Hogan
    Robert Hogan
    • Ben Krisler
    • 1976–1977
    Lynda Day George
    Lynda Day George
    • Marge Krisler
    • 1976–1977
    Clu Gulager
    Clu Gulager
    • Alvin Merrick
    • 1976–1977
    Kario Salem
    Kario Salem
    • Joe Brand
    • 1976–1977
    Andrew Stevens
    Andrew Stevens
    • Donny Damon
    • 1976–1977
    Kip Niven
    Kip Niven
    • Ryetower
    • 1976–1977
    Melanie Griffith
    Melanie Griffith
    • Jinny Massengale
    • 1976–1977
    Andrew Duggan
    Andrew Duggan
    • Gen. McKelvey
    • 1976–1977
    Bert Kramer
    Bert Kramer
    • 1976–1977
    John Saxon
    John Saxon
    • Capt. Townshend
    • 1976
    Forrest Tucker
    Forrest Tucker
    • Col. Avery
    • 1976
    Kim Hunter
    Kim Hunter
    • Kitty Damon
    • 1976
    David Wayne
    David Wayne
    • Col. Terwilliger
    • 1976
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews44

    8.0536
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    Featured reviews

    10seghers

    Why has this not been released?

    This is a stunning movie. I saw it when I was very young, with my Father. Sam Damon represented to me what it meant to be a man. Sam Elliot's performance is understated and nuanced, and is remarkable for its restraint... what he Doesn't say is shown in his eyes, and smoking under the surface. He is a man of few words but very powerful obligations which people can either understand or not, he doesn't care. He is not driven by what others think, but by what he knows is right.

    I spoke to a gentleman a few years back who said there were political reasons why this series would "never" be released. Having seen it again recently, I think I understand why it won't be released at least for a few years. I would NOT call the movie anti-war, but I would call it anti-stupidity. I would say it stands for war as a last resort, showing the loss and reality of war, and how even when a cause is just, stupid men are put in positions of authority sometimes, and lo and behold, give stupid orders for good men to follow and be killed. Regardless of, and sometimes ignorant of, the big picture and rationale behind the war.

    Good men understand their cause, and fight for that cause together. Through a common purpose they find strength and camaraderie. Weak men use the war to justify their own petty purposes, regardless of their attained rank, and sometimes this puts their men in direct contradiction to the more noble and publicy marketed reasons for the conflict. Good men must sometimes follow weak men and stupid orders, if they are to be considered good soldiers. That's a tough position to be in... and it kind of flies in the face of what the military pushes... you must follow orders or you risk your life, and the lives of everybody in your company. Where would the military be if people were allowed to question orders, or question the character and motivations of the people giving those orders? Yet, where would the world be if we all blindly followed leadership despite what we knew was right or wrong?

    This contradiction is what this miniseries meant to me, then, as a 12 year old, and again to me today as I write this. From what I understand, the rights to this are still owned by a major network who is being told not to release it. I don't know if that is true or not... it might be just a fancy and/or self-serving lie. But the more I think about it, the more I realize it just might be true. If it is true, it's a damn shame. If it's not true, then, I tell you one thing:

    It's pretty bizarre that given the quality of the mini-series, and the star power of some fine actors in their prime, that this has never been released, isn't it?
    10overthemoon-2

    Fabulous Series----One of the first Mini-Series released!

    This series was really great. The cast was wonderful and acting superb! I'm surprised it hasn't already been released! I agree with the comment made by the other fan that this mini-series is better than the "Winds of War." It is better!!

    This was filmed back in the '70s when the T.V. mini-series first came about and is one of the reasons that mini-series are still popular. To the "powers that be"----please release this to DVD so that those of us who have seen this series can be entertained again. Those who have yet to see it have a nice surprise awaiting them!! Thanks!
    Varlaam

    Better than "The Winds of War"

    That's the way I remember this mini-series anyway, although it's been ages, and it was never rerun, was it?

    Sam Elliott was the star. Cliff Potts was the villain. Darleen Carr was the one everyone had a crush on.

    I stumbled on this title in the database by accident. What are the chances of seeing it again, I wonder? About as good as assembling a cast this well-rounded again, I reckon.
    brwhite

    A stunning movie of choices and consequences.

    Gen. Norman Schwartzkopf reviewed the book, Once an Eagle, on the NBC Today Show (7/4/00), and I had to research this film after not having seen it for over twenty years. It left that powerful an impression, a story of two career officers spanning almost four decades, and how their choices affected their careers and the lives of those around them. Can't say anymore other than Sam Elliot's character left a lasting impression concerning life choices, and how those principles are still so important in our lives today...

    Anyway, I have been unable to find a copy of the mini-series, so if anyone out there can provide any advice on how to obtain a copy, please e-mail me. It would be great to see it again sometime. Thanks...
    potoppol

    A very well done mini-series about honor and truth in battle.

    This series, Once An Eagle(OAE), is a great picture about the U.S. Army from WWI through WWII. The only comparable series is "Band of Brothers". It deals with social class, ie. ringknockers from wealthy, almost aristocratic backgrounds, and up-the-ranks officers. The value of honor and truth regardless of the toll to one's career.

    Its a mystery why such a quality mini-series has not been rebroadcast considering the plethora of cable channels. Also, considering some of the shlock now available on DVD, its a puzzlement why this isn't available. If you know anyone who decides what gets broadcast or put on DVD, encourage them to view this series!

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The novel on which this mini-series is based is used in leadership classes at West Point, the Army War College, and in the U.S. Marine Corps.
    • Goofs
      In the World War One scenes (set in 1918), the German soldiers are shown wearing the 1914-style uniforms with spiked helmets, which were phased out in 1916.
    • Connections
      Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: John Davidson/Richard Pryor/Darleen Carr/Dr. Michael Fox (1976)

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    FAQ17

    • How many seasons does Once an Eagle have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 14, 1977 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Once an Eagle
    • Filming locations
      • Little Europe, Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA(France)
    • Production company
      • Universal Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      9 hours
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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