Plot: What’s it about?
When over two thousand British soldiers are trapped on an island which is under German control, the prospect of a rescue seems impossible. A large scale mission by air or sea would be useless, since the Germans have two massive guns on the nearby island of Navarone. So in order to make a rescue possible, the Allied forces must send in a small team to infiltrate the fortress on Navarone and destroy the giant guns that prevent a larger scale rescue. Once the guns have been dismantled, the trapped soldiers can be freed with no serious problems. But the mission to disable the guns is not an easy one, in fact it seems downright impossible, but it’s also the only option. So a team is dispatched to storm the island and invade the fortress, but as is to be expected, things always seem to be going wrong for them. Even in the good runs, it appears like the Germans are always right behind them, ready to thwart the mission. But the team keeps hammering away, no matter how much the odds stack against them. The danger grows around every corner and the Germans seem to have their number at every turn, but can this renegade team pull off the hardest mission they’re likely to ever face?
When you talk about action movies, no conversation on the subject would be complete without mentioning this film, the classic The Guns Of Navarone. This is what action movies are all about, all the elements you need for a blockbuster are found here. You’ll find stunts, explosions, hand to hand combat, dangerous risks, and gunplay as well, in other words, all the bases are covered, right? Well, for most modern (circa 2K) action films, those are all the needed elements for a good action movie. But that is where this film raises the bar and separates itself from the competition. In addition to all those goodies I mentioned, you’ll find elements most modern action flicks lack, such as a plausible storyline, fantastic acting, and much more. This just seems like an upper echelon version of an action film, the BMW of action flicks, if you will. While the special effects and stunts are not as advanced as modern action movies, you won’t miss them, I assure you of that. You’ll be too engrossed in the whole film experience, unlike modern action films where you’re just waiting until the next CGI effect. I recommend this title to all who read these words, the disc is packed and jacked, and a purchase is in order here.
This film was directed by J. Lee Thompson, who also directed such as films as Cape Fear (1962), Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes, The Passage, and Murphy’s Law. Based on the novel by Alistair MacLean, the screenplay for this film was penned by Carl Foreman, who was blacklisted in the 1950s for alleged Communist involvement. Determined to return to his former state of credibility, Foreman worked on this screenplay and created a masterful take on the novel. Foreman also wrote the story for the follow up to this film, Force 10 From Navarone, as well as the screenplays for films such as Champion, The Bridge On The River Kwai, and High Noon. On a side note, Forman was cleared of the Communist charges in 1997, but he was already dead by then. The cast for this film is excellent, each giving a terrific performance, with several performers working to carry the film. The leads are played to perfection by Gregory Peck (To Kill A Mockingbird, The Omen), David Niven (The Sea Wolves, Casino Royale), and Anthony Quinn (A Walk In The Clouds, Last Action Hero). The supporting cast includes Irene Papas (Elektra, The Message), Anthony Quayle (Lawrence of Arabia, The Wrong Man), and Stanley Baker (Zorro, The Last Grenade).
Video: How does it look?
The Guns Of Navarone is presented in a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. While the film sometimes shows its age due to flecks and other signs of print wear, this is the best I’ve this movie look on home video. The colors are vivid and full, and flesh tones look natural and consistent as well. The scenes on the water especially look vibrant and splashed with color. Contrast is also good, with no detail loss I could note, and deep, complex shadow layering. There aren’t any compression errors to be found, but as I said above, this print does show some grain and damage signs. Even as such, this is the best looking visual presentation I’ve seen for the film, so I won’t be too hard on it.
Audio: How does it sound?
This release contains a Dolby Digital 5.1 track, as well as a 2.0 track for those without expansive home theater setups. You’ll note plenty of surround use from start to finish, and when the action kicks in, this mix really sounds great. The music sounds good as well, and subtle effects come across without error as well. The dialogue doesn’t get lost in the equation either, every word is crisp and audible.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This is a full blown special edition, and it more than lives up to the name. You’ll find the usual theatrical trailer, bonus trailers, production notes, and talent files, but that’s simply the beginning of all the wonderful supplements to be found here. A two minute long message from screenwriter Carl Foreman is included, which is very cool indeed. Taped for the film’s premiere in Australia, the message contains Foreman’s discussion of the success the film had enjoyed to that point. Four original featurettes are also included, Great Guns, No Visitors, Honeymoon on Rhodes, and Two Girls on the Town. These are very interesting to watch, though brief, and are a welcome addition to this release. Each runs a little under four and a half minutes, and contains behind the scenes footage, each in a different theme. Next is a thirty minute retrospective documentary titled Memories of Navarone, which is an excellent piece. You’ll see production photos and behind the scenes footage as well as view interviews with most of the principle cast and crew. Rounding out this release is a running commentary with director J. Lee Thompson. While not always interesting, this track does contain some goodies here and there, and it’s nice to hear Thompson reminisce about the film.
