MovieChat Forums > Where Eagles Dare (1969) Discussion > Eastwood was only 5 years younger than B...

Eastwood was only 5 years younger than Burton.

posted 13 years ago by kevin-bergin
13 replies | jump to latest

Shows how that fast living caught up with Burton. He has been dead for almost 30 years. Eastwood was only five years younger (born 1925 vs 1930).

[–] Zanza8 13 years ago

I found the bit in Trivia about when they climbed the wall amusing. Burton couldn't begin to climb the rope, so he got a ride up in a crane. Eastwood actually did climb the rope. The result was that Burton looked like he wasn't working that hard, and Eastwood looked like he was really struggling.

http://thinkingoutloud-descartes.blogspot.com/

[–] chester-copperpot-1 13 years ago

It's more ironic when he says "If I can do it, why can't he?" on helping him up the wall.

[–] Zanza8 13 years ago

Yeah, when you know what went on behind the scenes, that remark does seem more than a little snide.

http://thinkingoutloud-descartes.blogspot.com/

[–] RebeccaStyles 13 years ago

He looked a lot younger than Burton. Clint was the best in this.

[–] Agent_77 13 years ago

Burton was a hard drinker, enough said.

[–] RebeccaStyles 12 years ago

I honestly don't think that mattered...!

[–] normantater 12 years ago

Yes...By this point in his life..Mr. Burton could not get sober.

[–] deforest-1 11 years ago

Absolutely it doesn't matter. Youth only matters in a male model trying to extend his career, not an actor. Richard Burton was 43 when this was made, and looked it, as commented on by "girlfriend" Mary Ure. He lived a full life and died relatively young. The downside for Clint at 84 is that he must have suffered for years of rheumatiz by now and other diseases of age, and has possible dementia to look forward to. In terms of credibility on the screen, Burton did fine in this and many other roles. (After Rod Steiger played older than Brando in "On The Waterfront" and was actually a year younger everyone commented on the fact that Steiger "looked like everyone's uncle". So what? Not everyone wants to be a glamorpuss their whole lives -- the Hollywood curse.) Burton had had his years of matinee idol worship on stage, on screen at 26 from 1952 ("My Cousin Rachel") through "Alexander the Great" (1955) and "Cleopatra" (1963). By "Night of the Iguana" the following year, just 38-39 he'd had all the vacuous youth worship and was letting it all hang out for the sake of the role.

[–] mikeyg24 11 years ago

Well what is defined by a full life is a matter of opinion and being an alcoholic is no kind of life no matter what fame and fortune you enjoy. While Burton may have died suddenly his final years were actual lived in constant pain and his body was racked with diseases of alcohol abuse. Add to this the psychological and emotional effects of heavy drinking. I don't see a particularly full life there. I was watching Clint only a week or two ago at a golf competition and while he seems a bit scatter brained and looks his age he seems perfectly happy and active.

Yours sincerely, General Joseph Liebgott

[–] joekiddlouischama 11 years ago

The downside for Clint at 84 is that he must have suffered for years of rheumatiz by now and other diseases of age, and has possible dementia to look forward to.

Eastwood has also been able to direct thirty-four feature films (one, Tightrope, uncredited), to star in even more, to receive four Academy Awards and ten Academy Award nominations (for directing, producing, and acting), and to really live a full life and enjoy a full career.

Burton was actually only forty-two during the filming of Where Eagles Dare, while Eastwood was thirty-seven. They weren't that far apart in age, but they proved so far apart on the trajectories of their respective careers and lives. Burton was basically in his final throes as a movie star, whereas Eastwood's stardom was rising faster than anyone's and would possess decades-long staying power. Remembered Ingrid Pitt:

RW: (pointing out the Clint Eastwood photo again) It is amazing how much Clint Eastwood matured as an actor and filmmaker since "Where Eagles Dare."

IP: Yes, yes. He and Richard Burton were so different. Clint was looking forward to the rest of his career. He was watching everything, looking forward. Richard Burton was just drinking and spouting Shakespeare.

RW: Did he think the role was beneath him?

IP: No, he was tired of living. He was unhappy. He drank. His wife drank; she drank more than he did at that time. It was sad. They were a couple of sad children. It was unfortunate. They would divorce, get remarried. Really out of control. He was a man’s man; he was just tired of living.

RW: So, you enjoyed working with Clint Eastwood?

IP: He was fun. One day he grabbed me, threw me on a motorcycle and took off. When we got back, the producers were yelling, "Think of the insurance!" We didn’t do that again.

http://rustywhitesfilmworldobituaries.blogspot.com/2010/04/ingrid-pitt -2002-interview.html

[–] Hippo9 10 years ago

Eastwood was a life long non smoker. Burton started smoking at age 8 and drinking at age twelve. The smoking especially will really age the face and you can see the results of the difference in Eastwood's healthy lifestyle compared to Burton. Burton however was a much better actor.

[–] Prismark10 10 years ago

Burton was a hard living type of guy.

Eastwood looked after himself and I think he has also been blessed with good genes.

Its that man again!!

[–] rtw416 10 years ago

I can picture Burton climbing the wall-with a whiskey high ball in one hand and a cigarette in the other