Nothing really to do with driving - but this was a key waypoint on the original Austria road trip plans and on the bucket list - so was always going to be on any to-do list if I was in this part of the world.
Watch/read up on a late 60s war movie starring Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood, Mary Ure and Ingrid Pitt. "Where Eagles Dare" is your classic wartime adventure with a twist. A favourite film in my house growing up the networks always seemed to broadcast at Christmas. The picture was filmed on location around Werfen, Lofer and the general region - with the external castle filming all at Burg Hohenwerfen.
Skip to later in the day - very happy - Hohenwerfen is a fantastic place to visit, not just for the movie link, but incredible clear views of the mountain from the clock tower, the scenery is just awe inspiring.
On approaching Werfen the first thing you see, the so called "Castle of the Eagles" perched on a clifftop above the town. I wanted to capture the scene, so turn right instinctively across the bridge to the station to try and find a good vantage point!
The bridge is where Eastwood and Burton first walk across into Werfen and make their play to avoid the guardpost on the far side. The bridge is new - but its the same location.
GUARD:
Show me your papers.
Right.
SMITH:
I've written her many times of course, but...
...with so many troops on leave in Berlin,
it was hardly likely she'd remember me.
But one always hopes
you're the one she'll never forget.
SCHAFFER:
Yeah. What was her name, anyway?
SMITH:
-Fred.
A wander around the station - it looks familiar because again its a location from the movie, I'm off in a world of my own now - daydreaming and nosing around!
The assault team descend on the far side, cross these railway lines and stash their bombs/kit in a shed which used to sit very close to where I had parked the Zero.
The castle visible from Werfen, a quiet place - single high street a few eateries, alpine hat shop and thats about it.
The film cable car was in another location and superimposed - but - there is a cable car/inclined railway which takes visitors up to the castle. So parked up...
Its electric, runs on rails but close enough and an excellently dramatic way to arrive.
It actually makes the perfect tie in electric motor sound effects from the courtyard.
The guided tour is a must to see more of the interior and learn a bit of real history - but - just getting this far, and standing in the courtyard recognising locations - love it!
My patient wife humouring me/my enthusiasm, thats twice in as many days I think I'm behaving like an exited schoolboy!
The gift shop door is the entrance to the cable car in the film.
Courtyard and route to the outer bailey and bird of prey demonstrations had we more time,
Werfen high street on the right just beyond the new main road, the bridge just after the bend in the river leads to the station on the left. The even newer main road snaking through the tunnel on the far left - they don't know what they are missing!
Part of the guided tour takes the party to the top of the clock tower, where with luck of the weather the mountains just sit there - bright/crisp in the Autumn sun. It almost felt unreal - so clear - those mountains must be miles away but they look like you can reach out and touch them!
SMITH [OVER RADIO]:
-Broadsword calling Danny Boy.
Broadsword calling Danny Boy.
Broadsword calling Danny Boy.
...
...
[EXPLOSIONS lN DISTANCE]
[RAPlD GUNFIRE]
...
ROLLAND [OVER RADIO]:
Danny Boy calling Broadsword. -Over.
SMITH:
SMITH:
Everything ready.
We need transport.
Understood? -Over.
Understood? -Over.
ROLLAND:
-Understood.
Do you have it? -Over.
Do you have it? -Over.
SMITH:
We have it. We have it all. -Over.
I'd scheduled a short day of driving - only 200 or so miles vs 300 for the drive into Vienna, Hohenwerfen Castle could just not be missed! Can recommend - we could have easily spent most of the day there.
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