Force 10 from Navarone (1978) User Reviews

Enjoyable Boys Own Romp.

[KEVMC · 7/10 · 3 November 2002]

Some time after the successful mission to destroy the huge guns on the island of Navarone, Mallory and Miller are sent to Yugoslavia to kill Nikolai, a German agent who nearly blew the Navarone operation, and who has now infiltrated the Partisans. To get there they are attached to Force 10 led by Col. Barnsby, who have their own mission to destroy a vital bridge. From the outset things go wrong, as they steal a Lancaster from an airfield in Termoli, are joined by Sgt. Weaver (escaping US MP's), then get shot down, bail out, and are captured by Chetniks who are loyal to the Germans.

By the time this sequel to 'The Guns Of Navarone' was made, 17 years had passed. Gregory Peck and David Niven were too old to reprise their roles, so Robert Shaw and Edward Fox took over. Harrison Ford, fresh from 'Star Wars', played Col. Barnsby, Franco Nero signed on as Nikolai, and Richard Kiel, Barbara Bach, and Carl Weathers all came from recent box office hits - the former two from 'The Spy Who Loved Me', the latter from 'Rocky'. Guy Hamilton was hired to direct (Goldfinger, Battle of Britain, Live and Let Die etc.)

This film has been much maligned over the years, somewhat unfairly. It could never hope to emulate its predecessor, and therefore takes a different approach. While 'Guns' had a taut, serious tone, this adopts a more tongue in cheek feel. Some of the interplay between Shaw and Fox is quite deadpan and amusing, with the actors obviously not taking proceedings too seriously. Harrison Ford looks uneasy at the start, but settles into his role as things progress. The use of the stunning Yugoslavian countryside gives the film a unique feel, and it appears to have had a decent budget. The score harks back to the type of Boys Own adventures that were so popular a decade earlier.

There are some flaws, yes. Possibly more tension could have been injected at some points, and Mallory seems to have lost the ability to speak fluent German since 'Guns'. It's not in the same league as that film or the marvellous 'Where Eagles Dare', but it's an enjoyable way to pass a couple of hours on a cold, wet winters' night.

Watchable and fun but not a classic WW2 film

[trevorwomble · 7/10 · 18 March 2020]

This is a bit of an odd film. Despite having a slightly thin plot that lacks logic, it just about gets away with it thanks to its quality cast including an up and coming pre Indiana Jones Harrison Ford.

It's worth a watch on a rainy afternoon and whilst it lacks the depth and heart of the classic war movies of the 50s and 60s, it's got enough action and energy to keep your attention. Not as bad as many here make out but not up there with the best either.

Rainy Day Favorite

[mvassa71 · 7/10 · 30 July 2007]

I actually saw this movie before I saw "The Guns of Navarone", and I have to say, I prefer "Force 10". It seems like it always comes on TV on a rainy Saturday afternoon, and I'll always get sucked right in. I've probably seen it about 10 times. Despite some laughable special effects, and otherwise dated production value, this war movie packs a good action punch. Not many WW2 movies are set in Yugoslavia, and that's one of the interesting elements of the film. The story itself is a classic "Against the Odds" type affair, involving a covert Allied mission with a dual purpose. The great Robert Shaw is a standout, and a young Harrison Ford shows why he eventually became the superstar he is. Rousing music, tense action sequences, shootouts, knife fights, bombings,rescues,deceit and trickery make "Force 10" a lot of fun.

Okay, But Don't Watch It With It's Predecessor Back-To-Back

[Eric-62-2 · 5 June 2000]

If you love the "Guns Of Navarone" as one of the greatest, and more importantly most literate WWII action films of all time, then this "sequel" is really going to cause some painful moments, and I wouldn't recommend watching the two films back-to-back under any circumstances. Owing to the fact that it took original "Guns" producer Carl Foreman a decade to get the "Force 10" film project off the ground, Gregory Peck and David Niven were both Social Security eligible by the time the film was ready to go, and that meant we'd have to see a new cast. And for the most part, despite the borrowing of footage of the first film's climax at the beginning you might as well watch this film pretending the first one never happened. The "Nicolai" connection to the first film is weak and barely explored, and we probably could have done without that plotline altogether. And whereas "Guns" was deadly serious in tone, filled with some rich character studies and literate exploration of the moral questions that get raised even when fighting a good cause, "Force 10" is really more of an escapist war film, punctuated with moments of light comedy, and with no depth whatsoever in the characters and script. If one is willing to accept the film on that level, then it can be enjoyed as an entertaining diversion, but no more. It is interesting to see Harrison Ford in his first post-Star Wars role working alongside the great Robert Shaw in his last film, and Edward Fox appears to emulate most of David Niven's mannerisms quite well. Carl Weathers though, was an annoying distraction and the scene where he demanded "answers" while the enemy was approaching was just plain dumb.

By it's very title though, "Force 10" is always going to have the problem of it's magnificent predecessor hanging over it. Too bad the sequel possibility wasn't cashed in on sooner when Peck, Niven and Quinn could have still done their parts (I always hoped they'd lead a new mission to rescue Anthony Quayle!)

This was actually quite enjoyable...

[paul_haakonsen · 6/10 · 31 July 2020]

Oddly enough I have never actually gotten around to watching the 1978 war movie "Force 10 from Navarone". Why? Well, I guess because the title never really caught my fancy, or because it is war movie from 1978.

But I was offered a chance to sit down and watch a remastered version of the 1978 movie, and of course I took the chance and time to do so. Especially as I saw that the movie was starring none other than Robert Shaw and Harrison Ford.

Turns out that this was actually a good war movie, with a combination of interesting storyline, action and some good old fashioned double-crossing. So yeah, I was entertained by what writers Alistair MacLean, Robin Chapman and Carl Foreman had managed to put together with Guy Hamilton at the director's chair.

The movie also had some good appearances from the likes of Carl Weathers, Michael Byrne and Richard Kiel.

One thing I really liked about the movie was the fact that people were speaking their native and respective languages. There is nothing more cringeworthy than watching German soldiers in World War II movies speak English with a thick, fake German-imitated accent.

I had actually been missing out on a good and entertaining World War II movie with "Force 10 from Navarone", shame on me. And I must say that it was really nice to see Shaw and Ford in the leads in a movie such as this, and they carried the movie quite well.

My rating of "Force 10 from Navarone" is a six out of ten stars.

A James Bond reunion

[perfectbond · 6/10 · 26 April 2004]

Force 10 felt like a James Bond reunion. The director is Guy Hamilton (Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, Live and Let Die, The Man With the Golden Gun). Robert Shaw (From Russia With Love) is the star. Barbara Bach (The Spy Who Loved Me) is a love interest. Even Richard Kiel (Jaws in The Spy Who Loved Me) is here as a heavy. Unfortunately this film is not as enjoyable as a typical Bond film not to mention equaling or surpassing the Gregory Peck classic, The Guns of Navarone, to which it is a followup. The film is not an entire waste however. A young Harrison Ford is very convincing action star even here and is almost enough to save this disappointing effort. The only really gripping part of this film was the racial tension between Keil's character and Carl Weather's (Predator) character. Average film, 6/10. This review was based on the widescreen version on the DVD which had a few extra minutes.

The most lethal and expert team in the world , the Force 10 squad, goes back in action

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 23 December 2012]

This movie sequel to the Guns of Navarone was made and released about eighteen years after that film . Successful warlike picture well acted and finely directed by Guy Hamilton . Thrilling and rousing film is set about two years after the events of Guns of Navarone , in which a valiant and skilled trio , Harrison Ford-Robert Shaw-Edward Fox , is dispatched to a dangerous mission during World War II in Yugoslavia . This powerful , dramatic story from the Alistair McLean novel starts when the commanding staff assigns a mission to several oddly assorted military experts as Mallory , now been promoted to the rank of Major (played by Robert Shaw in this sequel and was his last film completed , he was called Captain Jack Mallory ; in the original was played there by Gregory Peck) and Miller, who has now been promoted to the rank of Sergeant (played by Edward Fox who replaced Ian Bannen ,here was called Corporal Dusty Miller , in the original performed by David Niven) . They are teamed to discover a traitor and destroy a bridge vital to enemy strategy . The outfit must destroy a huge dam and a bridge that threaten the Allied . To do so , they must sneak throughout the Nazis' noses disguised as German soldiers.

It is one of the most thrilling and moving films set on the years of the Second World War . This interesting wartime picture contains high-powered action-packed , shootouts , explosions , floods , mass slaughter and lots of fun . Fairly decent acting by the star-studded , a traditional all-cast , this Box office hit is a funny , exciting WWII actioner . Common production personnel who worked on or were credited for both this movie sequel and the original The Guns of Navarone included novelist Alistair MacLean , producer-scriptwriter Carl Foreman, production designer Geoffrey Drake, editor Raymond Poulton and production supervisor / production accountant Sidney G. Barnsby . Highlighted by a stirring and thrilling climax with overwhelming action scenes proceeded by a good technician and artistic team. The picture is well set in Yugoslavia and results to be a great super-production with all-star-cast , impressive scenes , shimmer photography and a vibrant sound , the time has increased its value ; despite its releasing was panned by critics . The acting of the interesting characters is believable and convincing , furthermore and enjoyable support cast as Carl Weathers , Franco Nero , Alan Badel , Michael Byrne and it's one of three movies, all made during the mid-late 1970s, that actress Barbara Bach and actor Richard Kiel both appeared , it includes The humanoid , Spy who loved me and Force 10 .

Director Guy Hamilton uses a clip from his earlier film Battle of England when the Messerschmitt attacks the Lancaster bomber and the so-called German Panzer tanks shown at the end of the movie are actually Soviet T-34s - a medium tank produced from 1940 to 1958 . The screenplay has eloquent dialogue , humor , double-crosses , continuous tension and surprising twists that keep the viewer's attention . Sweeping wartime movie epic from the director of 'James Bond's Goldfinger' presents the historic events of hokey manner but it does so fascinatingly . All in all,it's a successful piece of warlike fluff. Although overlong ,has good battle footage , solid acting , breathtaking scenes which help offset a sometimes far-fetched plot, but suffers on television , as the small screen damages its really spectacular images. The soundtrack by French composer Maurice Jarre , Jean Michel Jarre's father , is full of vibrant sound , brings a solemn score, cutting edge, played by an orchestra of wind . Colorful cinematography in glimmer color by Christopher Challis , being filmed on location in Jersey, Channel Islands , Mediterranean Film Studios, Malta , (studio), Montenegro , Plymouth Docks, Plymouth, Devon, England,Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK . Guy Hamilton' filmmaking is absorbent and entertaining , a good job , and the production shoot for this movie went for sixteen weeks . Rating : good but inferior to original , wholesome seeing . This picture should please most action-war-adventure buffs.

Interesting screenplay by Robin Chapman based on a novel by Alistair MacLean . He wrote many best-selling action novels that were turned into often successful movies. When asked to comment on why his stories were so popular he remarked that he always wrote stories that were visual. Since they were easy to imagine when the books were read, they were easy to film . This flick is one of several movies based on an Alistair MacLean novels set in rugged battles during WWII , the first was ¨ Guns of Navarone¨ , after that , it would be ¨ When eagles dare¨ by Brian H Hutton . And subsequently post World War and Cold War as ¨Bear Island¨ by Don Sharp and ¨River of death¨ by Steve Carver ; in addition , two adaptations directed by John Sturges : ¨Ice Station Zebra¨ , ¨The Satan Bug¨.

FORCE 10 FROM NAVARONE is a great yarn.

[vip_ebriega · 8/10 · 6 February 2007]

My Take: Often lambasted, but fast-paced and highly entertaining sequel to the classic adventure film.

Honestly, I think "Force 10 from Navarone" was more fast-paced, action-packed and hilarious as it's predecessor, "The Guns of Navarone", but then, it also lacks the stronger elements that made its predecessor better. But it seems unfair to compare a sequel to its predecessor when the film is a sequel in name only. Other than the opening which re-tracks the memorable final scenes from the original, FORCE 10 FROM NAVARONE mostly flies solo.

The cast was excellent. Robert Shaw and Edward Fox are good replacements to Gregory Peck and David Niven in the roles of Keith Mallory and Major Miller. Harrison Ford absolutely amazing as Lt. Col. Barnsby. Carl Weathers is usually out of place, but he's fine enough. While Barbara Bach and Richard Kiel offer fine performances after their roles in "The Spy Who Loved Me".

There will be a few hate remarks from fans of the original, but seeing it as not a sequel to the classic film and more of a film that uses 'Guns' as its inspiration, this "sequel" is fun, exciting and occasionally excellent.

Rating: **** out of 5.

Weak follow-up to Guns of Navarone

[cutter-12 · 4/10 · 16 June 2005]

Harrison Ford plays scenes with Michael Byrne as the German Major, who would go on again years later to be the German officer who gives Ford a headache or two in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. That little piece of trivia is really about the only thing that stands out in this forgettable and pointless 70's WW2 action piece.

Supposedly a continuation of the Guns of Navarone story, but aside from the characters portrayed in that film by Gregory Peck, David Niven (and Richard Harris?), the link to the 1962 J. Lee Thompson film is in name only. And shamelessly so, as this film could never have survived 3 days at the box office without having 'Navarone' in its title.

Some very questionable and implausible plot devices drive this lacklustre adventure; by the time Ford and Robert Shaw kill the two Chetniks in the facial bandages you know for sure you're watching a bad film, which doesn't get remotely suspenseful or interesting until Shaw and Ford attempt to blow up the dam at the end.

Acting wise? Harrison Ford is competent as Barnsby. Shaw is coasting as Mallory, Edward Fox is flip and annoying as Miller, and Carl Weathers is hopelessly out of place, as well as unneeded, as Weaver. Richard Kiel, in what little screen time he's given, memorably chews the Yugoslav countryside in an over the top turn as the evil gargantuan Chetnik Captain. Barbara Bach provides the shallow cheesecake, and Franco Nero fools no one (as much as the screenwriters tried to twist and drag it out over two and a half acts) as the double agent Shaw is attached to the mission to assassinate.

All in all it's one of the thinnest as well as being one of the last WW2 commandos on a mission movies. Some majestic locations and the odd good line, and Harrison Ford's post Star Wars presence aren't enough to save it. Watchable once to pass the time but nothing you'd want to add to your DVD collection.

It is worth a good look

[markallanp · 8/10 · 30 March 2006]

FORCE 10 FROM NAVARONE...I don't know what to say apart from the fact that I enjoyed it as a kid, and I'm looking forward, in years to come, to sitting down with my son (now 2) and watching it with him. With the exception of the original Navarone, and WHERE EAGLES DARE, FORCE 10 is far-and-away the greatest book-to-movie translation in it's genre. The critics got it wrong, they always do!(How many people saw Titanic because they said it was so great? They didn't mention the steam coming from a decorative smoke stack, or the digital watches, did they?!)

FORCE 10 generally has a good feel about it, it isn't too serious. Shaw, as he'd proved with JAWS and THE STING, was the contender for one of the greatest British actors ever, only Burton or Olivier have been close to that title. With the recent success of Shaw's JAWS and, obviously, Ford's STAR WARS, it was prime casting...no question.

Don't take it to seriously, and with the fast-paced story, Top-Notch cast and brilliant Ron Goodwin score...you should really enjoy it, if you like the genre! Roll on six or seven years time, my son is in for a treat!!!

Not a classic, but a solid WWII flick

[sychonic · 5 May 2000]

World War II has spawned so many stories, films, books, songs, TV shows, from garbage to genius, that one could easily spend an a lifetime absorbed in them. Here is a basic WWII movie that tells a very straight forward story about a small group of soldiers trying to blow up a bridge in enemy held territory. It doesn't try to be Bridge on the River Kwai, another film where a small group of special forces travel (on foot I might add) to destroy a bridge important to the enemy forces.

On the plus side is that the action takes place in Yugoslavia, not the setting of too many war movies made in Hollywood, so that gives this some interesting moments (how many movies have Croatian Chetniks in them?). Also, Robert Shaw, good in anything, and Edward Fox have a great rapport, trading lines with impeccable timing. It would be easy to believe they are lifelong friends in real life the way they portray their characters. Harrison Ford gives a solid performance as a young overachieving officer, helping the subplot of the new blood clashing with the old veterans. Barbara Bach is beautiful, but not much other reason for her to be around. Carl Weathers actually gives a nice performance as the rebellious black soldier, implausibly brought along by weirdly improbable circumstances. Facing the fact that the Armed Forces were segregated during WWII, it seems like the makers wanted to have a black included in the movie and had to make up some way to do that, coming up with a ridiculously contrived way to have him along. It's unfortunate they couldn't come up with something better because, though Weathers is likable and his character brings something to the party, they way they did it undermines the plotline.

The action is okay, though the payoff at the end, clever as it is, ultimately fails because of the special effects--they just weren't that well done; they seemed like they came from a grade b movie.

If you've seen some WWII movies like A Bridge Too Far, Kelly's Heros, Battle of the Bulge, the Devil's Brigade, or Where Eagles Dare and liked them, definitely give this one a try. Not a classic, but a decent addition to the crowd.

sort of a sequel to the Guns of Navarone

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 12 May 2017]

Robert Shaw, Harrison Ford, Barbara Bach, Edward Fox, Franco Nero, and Carl Weathers star in "Force 10 from Navarone" based on a novela by Alistair MacLean and a follow-up to "The Guns of Navarone."

Mallory is now played by Shaw instead of Gregory Peck and Miller is now Fox instead of David Niven.

It seems there was a traitor with them at Navarone, a man they believe to be dead. But it turns out he escaped. He was a German spy. The Intelligence service thinks he is in Yugoslavian with the Partisans, and Mallory is ordered to find him and kill him.

Since only Miller and Mallory know him, they are sent along with a unit, Force 10, run by Colonel Barnsby (Ford) who doesn't want either man as he believes they will slow him down.

Force 10's mission is to blow up a bridge. En route their plane is shot and everyone has to bail out. They wind up prisoners of German sympathizers. In order to be released, they tell a lot of lies that the commandant doesn't believe. But unbeknownst to them, they have a friend there.

I thought this was pretty good and entertaining and boy, could they blow things up! Lots of special effects and good performances. Amazing seeing how young Harrison Ford was! Recommended. It's not a blockbuster but it is good.

Under Rated Sequel

[slightlymad22 · 7/10 · 8 January 2015]

It's a James Bond reunion of sorts as director of more than a few Bond movies Guy Hamilton directs Robert Shaw (in his last movie) a young Harrison Ford and a few Bond stars in a thoroughly enjoyable army picture, that is good old fashioned family viewing. I watched this with my 9 year old son, and we're both fully entertained.

Plot In A Paragraph: Mallory (Shaw) and Miller (Edward Fox) are sent to Yugoslavia to find and kill Nicolai a traitor who informed the Germans about Miller and Mallory during a previous mission in Navarone. To get to Yugoslavia, the two men pair with "Force 10", an American unit, led by Lieutenant Colonel Barnsby (Ford), which has its own mission there.

With a few exceptions all the cast are fine. Carl Weathers (Apollo Creed from "Rocky") is solid. Myy favourite Bond girl Barbara Bach is as good as I've seen her (admittedly I've only seen her in a couple of movies. One being my the James Bond movie "The Spy Who Loved Me") and i am surprised she never had a bigger career. Richard Keil (Jaws from James Bond) does his usual bad guy routine and Michael Byrne is his reliable self as is Edward Fox.

It is not without its problems, some of the fight scenes are awfully staged, and their is obvious use of miniatures. Shaw's accent was very distracting to start with (I'm not sure if he dropped it, or I forgot about it) and Ford's acting was dire in his first scene, but thankfully it improved.

OK war film

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 3 December 2015]

It's 1943. After the successful raid in 'The Guns of Navarone', Major Keith Mallory (Robert Shaw) and Sergeant Miller (Edward Fox) are back in England given a mission to kill Nicolai in Yugoslavia. They thought he was executed during Navarone but was actually a German spy. They are the only ones who can identify the spy who is suspected of infiltrating the partisans. They are joined by American unit Force 10 led by Colonel Barnsby (Harrison Ford). American MP Weaver (Carl Weathers) is swept up in the operation. After getting shot down, they encounter local fighters led by Maritza (Barbara Bach) and Drazak (Richard Kiel).

There are a few too many unnecessary twists and turns. It would be more compelling to concentrate on Nicolai and the eventual mission. Weaver could have been in Force 10 instead of the complicated way that he gets roped in. Also being captured early on creates two problems. It splits the group in two and it requires convoluted escapes. At its core, there is an interesting war thriller. I just think the group needs to stay together.

Harrison Ford

[gavin6942 · 6/10 · 26 September 2017]

During World War II, several oddly assorted military experts are teamed in a mission to raid and destroy a bridge vital to enemy strategy.

An odd occurrence in making the film: cinematographer Christopher Challis recalled that the film was originally considered to be filmed in Pakistan until someone realized that Pakistanis did not resemble Yugoslavians or Germans and the expense to make them appear as such on film would be financially prohibitive. How do you make someone look German? Anyway, this is a good war story. Not a great war story, but a good one. And it really is sold by the strong casting. Harrison Ford and Robert Shaw, obviously, but Carl Weathers is incredible. He may be best known for "Rocky", but he always commands attention when on screen.

Great follow-up to the original classic, a must-see for all the fans of a "men-on-a-mission" wartime adventure !!

[DeuceWild_77 · 9/10 · 19 June 2018]

Very much maligned sequel of "The Guns of Navarone" ('61), made 17 years later, with members of the cast replaced, which was not well received by critics and got a lukewarm reception when it was released.

Loosely based on Alistair McLean's follow up to his best-seller, the action takes place around 2 years after the events of the first film, with (now) Major Keith Mallory and (now) Staff Sargeant Miller, both sent on a mission to Yugoslavia to kill a german spy (code name: Nicolai Lescovar) who had infiltrated in the Partisans' resistance. Mallory & Miller are the only ones who can positively identify him, because Nicolai betrayed them in Greece during the Navarone events. A group of american commandos, led by Colonel Barnsby, are selected to escort them behind enemy lines, with the mission to destroy a strategic bridge for the German Forces...

Directed by the James Bond veteran, Guy Hamilton, who also helmed "Battle of Britain", "Force 10 from Navarone" is an exciting and splendorous "men-on-a-mission" film that deserved better fate, because even if more 'flimsy' than the predecessor and less clever, the movie never fails to deliver action & adventure in an unpretentious way that engage the viewer into the screen and it never gets boring.

The strong cast surely makes an impression, even with the replacements due to Peck and Niven's age, the late great Robert Shaw as Mallory & Edward Fox as Miller are very good in their respective roles, even if Fox have less to do than Niven in the first film.

Harrison Ford, in his second co-leading role, after the global success of "Star Wars" that made him a 'star' in just 1 year, was less 'mouthy' than Richard Harris' cameo as Barnsby in "Navarone", but way more responsible, even if still a bit stiff with his acting.

Ex-Bond Girl (from the best 007 movie from the 70's decade), Barbara Bach as Maritza and one of the most recognizable Bond villains, Richard Kiel as Capt. Drazak reunite after "The Spy Who Loved Me" and Franco Nero is scrumptiously charming and as well, vile, as the infiltrated german Colonel.

Carl Weathers is just here for the sake of his Apollo Creed's fame, if his character had been removed from the film, it would not spoil the plot, but he have presence and his character adds the 'american street smart loudmouth' attitude to a strictly mannered team of Brits.

Keep your eyes open for appearances by Michael Sheard & Wolf Kahler, as well Michael Byrne, all future cast members of the Indiana Jones' and Star Wars' films playing once again Nazis or elite from the Empire. Michael Byrne, Vogel from "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade", plays the major Nazi antagonist and Angus MacInnes, from "Star Wars" and future Ford's pursuer in "Witness" ('85) plays here Barnsby's 2nd in command from the Force 10.

Some reviewers have stated here that some plot and characters' decisions were all wrong, like the casting of the leading man type, Franco Nero, that doesn't resemble at all the character actor who played Lescovar in the original film, but if using the suspension of desbelief and we can accept Shaw & Fox in those roles instead of Peck & Niven, for sure we can do the same for Nero. And Andrea Stavros wasn't omitted at all like if he doesn't exist anymore, Shaw mentioned him briefly when talking about Nicolai with his superior during the briefing at the beginning of the film.

Another 'target' of criticisms here is when an infuriated Weaver confronts Mallory & Barnsby about that they come back to rescue only Miller and not him and when Ford admits it, he smiles and starts to cooperate. I think it makes total sense, Weaver got involved (even if by his own fault), into a classified mission that he doesn't understand and after all the group went through and nobody giving him a straight answer, when Ford told him the inconvenient true, like if Weaver were expendable, it marks the first time that someone is being sincere to him, treating him like a man, and that's why he smiled and came to respect the team.

The special effets during the destruction of the bridge are good and made in almost the same way / models as the destruction of "The Guns of Navarone".

In short, "Force 10 from Navarone" is a classic matinee's adventure / war film that works better if viewed in a big screen television, because the butchered version for TV kind of dismiss its splendorous visuals of gorgeous cinematography in Technicolor. The restored DVD version i own is one of the best i have in my personal collection of thousands of titles in terms of image quality (unfortunately the sound could have been better mixed...)

"I speak German. Perfect"

[seansmithyorkuk · 6/10 · 26 July 2001]

In the first film "The Guns of Naverone, the character Mallory is fluent in many languages. (This is one of the many reasons that he was chosen for the job in Naverone). However, since he came back to England and taken the job at the training camp at the start of Force Ten From Naverone, he has lost this ability. Strange that!!!!!!

Not that great

[grantss · 4/10 · 18 July 2015]

Not that great.

Pretty lame sequel to the 1961 epic Guns of Navarone. "Sequel" is a bit of stretch, as the only commonalities between the two are two characters, and the title.

Pretty much a conventional paint-by-numbers WW2 drama. Plot is not overly imaginative, and has numerous plot holes and contrivances. The military aspect is not entirely accurate.

Performances from the lead actors - Harrison Ford, Robert Shaw, Barbara Bach - are mostly OK. Edward Fox gives his usual irritatingly stiff performance, however.

Formulaic actioner with lots of plot holes

[Zipper69 · 2/10 · 28 April 2020]

Surely we know enough about the reality of WW2 and the partisans to dismiss this as a poor version of reality? Shaw always gave good value and Ford pushes back effectively. I'm still puzzled WHY the demolition expert, supposedly from the lower ranks is clearly a public school educated toff (Niven in the first edition). My father was in the Royal Engineers in WW2 and part of his job was to train soldiers how to use explosives effectively, his "pupils" were all working class men used to working with their hands. The other big screw-up was the filming in "the cave". Certainly in the version recently shown on TV the entire sound track was echoey and hard to understand. I suspect this was filmed towards the end of production and by the time the terrible sound recording was found the cast had dispersed and it would have cost extra to get them back to loop the dialogue, another indication that the bean counters were in control.

Force 10 From Navarone

[Coxer99 · 24 March 1999]

I sort of like the pairing of the cunning Shaw and smart aleck Ford in this return to the "Guns of Navarone" saga with both stars on a deadly mission to blow up a bridge and save the day. It moves at a quick pace and has an array of wonderful characters,including the always durable Edward Fox as the explosives expert with a sharp and witty tongue. The quality of the film is not so good as we seem to be in a bit of haze for a large portion of the film, but an entertaining film nonetheless.

Overall not bad

[faithless4734 · 7/10 · 11 May 2021]

Absolutely not the best war movie out there, but it is watchable and mostly enjoyable. Just do not set you expectations to high and you will do just fine watching this movie.

Sorta fun

[dmaurno-1 · 7/10 · 18 November 2006]

A step out of time, flicks like this had given way to the small melodramas in the 1970s. But, a war flick with a touch of panache? why not.

That said, the casting's a bit rocky. Shaw, Fox and Franco Nero sit in one camp, solidly, while Harrison Ford, Carl Weathers, Richard Kiel et. al. just can't make the leap to the '40s.

Plus, the Sergeant Schultz Germans as buffoons characterization is tired. In this reviewers humble opinion, that diminishes the power of every WWII story - there is no challenge, no triumph if the enemy is such a band of rubes.

"MILLER...THAT USELESS GIT!"

[Tobeshadow · 7/10 · 17 November 2021]

This film certainly isn't of the same calibre as The Guns Of Navarone, but the mixture of a stellar ensemble cast led by Robert Shaw and Harrison Ford and a large dose of action and adventure make this an entertaining watch every time. Under Guy 'Goldfinger' Hamilton's assured direction, the story rips along and there are some superb stunts and model shots.

The best part of the film is undoubtedly the closing thirty minutes as the members of Force 10 attempt to destroy their target. There is some great interplay between the main actors, particularly Edward Fox and Carl Weathers, and another couple of nice James Bond connections with small parts for Barbara Bach and Richard Kiel.

The theatrical cut of this film essentially plays like an American version with extra dialogue added by Harrison Ford (suddenly very popular in 1978 for some reason haha) and a Robert Shaw sound alike (as Shaw had died suddenly). This is rather clumsily inserted into the audio, generally in moments where you can't see either actor and can be quite distracting. This extra dialogue isn't really necessary and the Extended Cut of the film which restores some other scenes does not include it and is definitely a better version of the film overall.

A highly enjoyable WW2 action film, perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon!

Better than second rate sequel to a third rate original

[mgm-2 · 6/10 · 7 February 1999]

As the film started I thought "Oh Dear, here comes another second rate sequel cashing in on the success of its predecesor". It does conform to the usual formula, place a group of people of similar composition to the originals in a contrived situation. This usually results in a mediocre mish-mash. In this case the day is saved by Harrison Ford's class. Sometimes his presence in a film is over-powering (Patriot Games). Here he is more laid back and lends the film an honesty it would otherwise lack.

Why ?

[tom-1114 · 3/10 · 11 January 2005]

This movie has nothing to do with the "real" Alistair MacLean - it's just a made up story that borrows some characters and a few parts of the plot from the original novel, that is really good, at least in my opinion. The spirit has changed, the story is different there are different people (at least the names are changed ) a Mallory is not a major, but a captain. There is no escaped spy, no colonel Barnsby. Mallory doesn't go ALONG with Force10, he IS the Force10. And where is Andrea ? I respect that you can not fit an entire book with all the details in a single movie, but what are such changes good for ? Guns of Navarone contain lot of changes as well, but still the core of the story is the same. If you are MacLean fan, don't spoil you imagination and stick to reading.