The Guns of Navarone, a 1961 epic war drama, is now available on Netflix and has been hailed by viewers as one of the greatest war films of all time. Despite being overlooked in the packed genre, the film has stood the test of time, boasting relentless action, outstanding performances, and no shortage of twists and turns.
Commercial Success and Critical Acclaim
The film was a massive commercial success upon release, grossing $28.9 million globally against an estimated budget of $6 million. Directed by J Lee Thompson with a story written by Carl Foreman, known for The Bridge on the River Kwai, The Guns of Navarone has earned a near-perfect 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Adapted from Alistair MacLean's 1957 novel of the same name, the film features entirely fictional characters and storylines. However, MacLean's book was inspired by the Battle of Leros during the Second World War's Dodecanese Campaign. Foreman's screenplay made several major changes to the original novel's story.
Star-Studded Cast and Plot
The film stars Gregory Peck, David Niven, and Anthony Quinn, alongside Gia Scala, Irene Papas, Stanley Baker, Anthony Quayle, and James Darren. The official plot states: "In 1943, a small commando team is sent to destroy huge German guns on the Greek Island of Navarone in order to rescue Allied troops trapped on Kheros. Led by British Major Franklin (Anthony Quayle), the team includes American Mallory (Gregory Peck), Greek resistance fighter Stavros (Anthony Quinn) and reluctant explosives expert Miller. Facing impossible odds, the men battle stormy seas and daunting cliffs."
The adventure drama was filmed on the Greek island of Rhodes, with some scenes shot on the Maltese island of Gozo and certain sequences taking place in Tino in the Ligurian Sea.
Audience and Critic Reviews
One critic's review reads: "The Guns of Navarone has long been a big-time favourite of the war-movie aficionados, and the film still holds up resoundingly well today." Another reviewer said: "The finale is a touch overdramatic, but the film is nonetheless a first-class war epic."
A third critic praised the film: "One of the best WWII action-adventures, with an all-star cast headed by Gregory Peck, Anthony Quinn, and David Niven, this Oscar-winner (in special effects) is stirringly directed by the vastly underestimated J. Lee Thompson."
Audiences have been equally enthusiastic. One fan wrote: "Classic war film that ranks as one of the best ever produced, thanks to a top notch cast and direction that doesn't shy away from the harsher side of war. The actors are a who's who of stars, from Gregory Peck to David Niven to Anthony Quinn, all who shine in their roles and could have easily been the leads by themselves but actually make an epic ensemble."
Another viewer posted on IMDB: "One of the greatest movies I've ever seen. Everything in this film is perfect, the actors, the story and the music of Dimitri Tiomkin. I saw this film 29 times in the theaters between 1961 and 1979."
One fan noted: "The Guns of Navarone is one of the best war-action films ever made by the cinema industry. The suspenseful plot is engaging from the very beginning, with witty dialogs. The direction of J. Lee Thompson is superb and the cast is a dream team. The action scenes are impressive even in the present days and after watching this film several times. The viewer does not feel the 2h 38 min running time. My vote is ten."
Another positive review reads: "Led by the intense Gregory Peck, this movie manages to stay relevant despite the years that have passed, making it an unknown masterpiece!"
The Guns of Navarone is available to stream on Netflix.
