The Guns of Navarone (1961)
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If ever there was a film that would belong in a "top ten war movies of all time" list, this would be it.
Starring legends Gregory Peck, David Niven, Anthony Quinn, and more stellar players, it is one of those movies that was "before its time" if you will.
The basic plot is simple enough, a team of Allied and Greek soldiers set out to destroy a Nazi gun emplacement carved into the hillside of the Greek island of Navarone. However the film delves far beyond that.
It evolves into a dark and grim exploration of the choices and responsibilities laid upon our fighting men, and additionally those who take up the cause out of uniform.
Take for example Niven's character, the forever-Corporal Miller. He's been stuck at corporal for a long long time, and the reason becomes clear. Even though he's the best at what he does, he despises what he has to do, and doesn't want the responsibility that comes with the ranks of officer.
There are a lot of tense moments dealing with situations such as this. Peck's Mallory is also torn between his past actions (and the consequences of such) and what "the job" entails.
It's gritty, especially for the time, and it accomplishes it without going over the top. Dark, thoughtful, and packed full of action and suspense. If you've never seen it, do so. Now!
Technorati Tags: war movies, guns of navarone, david niven, gregory peck, anthony quinn, world war ii
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Description
Gregory Peck, Anthony Quinn and David Niven are Allied saboteurs assigned an impossible mission: infiltrate an impregnable Nazi-held island and destroy the two enormous long-range field guns that prevent the rescue of 2,000 trapped British soldiers. Blacklisted screenwriter Carl Foreman (High Noon,The Bridge on the River Kwai) was determined to re-establish both his name and credibility after spending most of the 50's working in anonymity. To accomplish this, he decided to bring Alistair MacLean's best-selling novel, The Guns of Navarone, to the screen. Supported by an all-star cast and produced on a grand scale, the film was an enormous success, receiving seven 1961 Academy Award® nominations (including Best Picture) and winning for Best Special Effects. Although Foreman achieved his goal, it was MacLean who would wind up the true beneficiary; his novels became the source for many high adventure screen epics, including Ice Station Zebra and Where Eagles Dare. However, it is The Guns of Navarone that remains not only the best of the MacLean adaptations, but one of the greatest action/adventure spectacles ever produced.
This rousing, explosive 1961 WWII adventure, based on Alistair MacLean's thrilling novel, turns the war thriller into a deadly caper film. Gregory Peck heads a star-studded cast charged with a near impossible mission: destroy a pair of German guns nestled in a protective cave on the strategic Mediterranean island of Navarone, from where they can control a vital sea passage. As world famous mountain climber turned British army Captain Mallory, Peck leads a guerrilla force composed of the humanistic explosives expert, Miller (David Niven), the ruthless Greek patriot with a grudge, Stavros (Anthony Quinn), veteran special forces soldier Brown (Stanley Baker), and the cool, quiet young marksman Pappadimos (James Darren). This disparate collection of classic types must overcome internal conflicts, enemy attacks, betrayal, and capture to complete their mission. Director J. Lee Thompson sets a driving pace for this exciting (if familiar) military operation, a succession of close calls, pitched battles, and last-minute escapes as our heroes infiltrate the garrisoned town with the help of resistance leader Maria (Irene Papas) and plot their entry into the heavily guarded mountain fort. Carl Foreman's screenplay embraces MacLean's role call of clichés and delivers them with style, creating one of the liveliest mixes of espionage, combat, and good old-fashioned military derring-do put on film. In 1978, the sequel Force 10 from Navarone was released, but MacLean fans will prefer to check out the action-packed thriller Where Eagles Dare. --Sean Axmaker Stills from The Guns of Navarone(click for larger image) Beyond The Guns of Navarone at Amazon.com More Military & War Films More Gregory Peck Films More Classic Films
DVD Information
Binding: DVDAspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Brand: Sony
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Original Release Date:
Actors:
- Gregory Peck
- David Niven
- Anthony Quinn
- Stanley Baker
- Anthony Quayle
Reviews
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