The gold standard for the subgenre of a crack team of experts going on a suicide mission behind enemy lines. Nominated for seven Oscars, this adaptation of the Alistair Maclean bestseller won for Best Special Effects. During WW2, major Gregory Peck becomes the leader when their commander (Anthony Quayle) is injured on the group’s rain-drenched climb up the seaside cliffs of Navarone. The Greek island houses the Nazis’ two monstrous cannons that bombard Allied ships in the channel. The task of taking out the guns must be accomplished on a tight schedule before 2,000 stranded British soldiers are captured. The mismatched band includes Anthony Quinn, David Niven, Stanley Baker, James Darren and resistance fighters Irene Papas (Zorba the Greek) and Gia Scala. Director J. Lee Thompson was drafted at the last minute when producer Carl Foreman had differences with original helmer, Alexander Mackendrick (Sweet Smell of Success). Thompson ratchets up the suspense in a series of progressively more bravura set pieces. If you have never experienced this epic on the big screen, this is the perfect opportunity to do it!
“With a bunch of weighty stars, terrific special effects and several socko situations, producer Carl Foreman and director J. Lee Thompson sired a winner.” – Variety
“Even though the picture runs more than two hours and a half, it moves swiftly and gets where it is going. J. Lee Thompson has directed it with pace and has seen to it that the actors give the impression of being stout and bold.” – Bosley Crowther, The New York Times
Read about the true story behind The Guns of Navarone
On StarWars.com, learn how the blockbuster space franchise was inspired by The Guns of Navarone
Chris D explores director J. Lee Thompson’s extensive career on the New Beverly blog.
Download a PDF of The Guns of Navarone‘s original press book.
