Reviews & Ratings for
Force 10 from Navarone More at IMDbPro »

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37 out of 42 people found the following review useful:
Okay, But Don't Watch It With It's Predecessor Back-To-Back, 5 June 2000
Author: Eric-62-2 from Morristown, NJ

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!)

22 out of 24 people found the following review useful:
FORCE 10 FROM NAVARONE is a great yarn., 6 February 2007

Author: vip_ebriega from Philippines

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.

13 out of 14 people found the following review useful:
Rainy Day Favorite, 30 July 2007

Author: mvassa71 from United States

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.

18 out of 24 people found the following review useful:
Not Great, But Decent Follow-Up, 18 October 2006

Author: ccthemovieman-1 from United States

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

This is a pretty solid World War II movie, a belated followup to the very successful (and, yes, better) "The Guns Of Navarone." This time a force, mostly British soldiers but led by a young American colonel (Harrison Ford) is sent over to Yugoslavia to blow up a bridge the Nazis use. In addition, two other Brits (Robert Shaw and Edward Fox) go along on another assignment to kill a double agent. Well, half of the team is shot down before they even reach their destination as their airplane is crippled. They are killed in air-fire or upon landing on the ground. That leaves just a small group, the above-mentioned stars of the movie plus an addition, Carl Weathers (of "Rocky" fame) picked up on the ground, and the double-agent (well-played by Franco Nero) who is assigned to go with them after he is "cleared" of charges.

Anway, this re-assembled team goes on to complete their mission, or at least attempt to and are thwarted numerous times by sabotage. I won't give away the ending.

Overall, a good story and definitely worth a rental and possibly a purchase. The DVD transfer was a bit grainy at first but got better as the film went along.....as the story did.

11 out of 11 people found the following review useful:
Enjoyable Boys Own Romp., 3 November 2002

Author: KEVMC from Rugby, UK.

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.

11 out of 12 people found the following review useful:
Underrated sequel to classic Oscar winner, 26 July 2003
Author: templer_doom (templer_doom@yahoo.co.uk)

In the late 70's the war genre saw a revival and Harrison Ford starring in not one but two movies of the period, the romantic drama HANOVER STREET (1979) with Lesley-Anne Down and the more commercial FORCE 10 FROM NAVARONE (1978).

Over the years, the film has got some unfair press in my view and is regarded as sub-standard compared to the infinitely more successful GUNS OF NAVARONE. However, the chemistry of all concerned is just right for this film, which involves a group of soldiers trying to blow up a bridge in Yugoslavia and the search for a traitor from the original film's mission.

There are some good action sequences, and the dialogue exchanges between Ford, Edward Fox and the late Robert Shaw are passable. Carl Weathers (coming quick off ROCKY), racism issue aside, still seems out of place in the film, although he has one or two good moments. Barbara Bach and Richard Kiel, hot off THE SPY WHO LOVED ME, are stereotypes.

Ron Goodwin's score keeps the film moving.

9 out of 11 people found the following review useful:
Not a classic, but a solid WWII flick, 5 May 2000
Author: sychonic

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.

12 out of 17 people found the following review useful:
It is worth a good look, 30 March 2006

Author: markallanp from United Kingdom

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!!!

5 out of 5 people found the following review useful:
Another Great Alistair MacLean World War II Epic . . ., 16 November 2008

Author: zardoz-13 from United States

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Everything that can go wrong for the heroes—does go wrong for them--in "Goldfinger" director Guy Hamilton's "Force 10 from Navarone," an above-average, atmospheric, $10-million dollar, World War II tale of espionage and adventure based on Alistair MacLean's exciting bestseller. Remember, MacLean wrote "Where Eagles Dare." Unfortunately, "Force 10 from Navarone" isn't as superlative as its source novel and many of its problems spring from the unfortunate fact that 20 years elapsed before the filmmakers brought it to get it to the screen. "Force 10" features a first-rate cast with Robert Shaw taking over the Gregory Peck role, Edward Fox replacing David Niven as the explosives expert, both of whom are joined by Carl Weathers of "Rocky" fame, Barbara Back and Richard Kiel from the James Bond movie "The Spy Who Loved Me." "The Long Ships" lenser Christopher Challis captures all this larger-than-life action with his widescreen photography. "Where Eagles Dare" & "633 Squadron" composer Rod Goodwin supplies an exhilarating as well as suspenseful orchestral score.

The instant that Robert Shaw and his commandos parachute into the Balkans, the British R.A.F. Lancaster bomber that they commandeered after a hard-knuckled fist fight with M.P.s blows up. No sooner than they land behind enemy lines than they find themselves prisoners about to be shot as spies by the villainous Nazis. Only at the last possible moment do our valiant heroes triumph over well-nigh impossible odds. They confront the same perils—in a sense—that Hercules faced when he hacked off the Hydra's head, only to see two more heads grow back to replace the one that he'd cut off.

Aside from a decapitation scene and the sadistic beating that Richard Kiel gives Barbara Bach, "Force 10 from Navarone" is a stylized fantasy in the superb tradition of the World War II propaganda combat movies that Errol Flynn made at Warner Brothers between 1942 and 1945. Although scores of men die, bloodletting is kept to a minimum. Take the heroes: a stout bunch of lads with clenched jaws and uncompromising virtue. Or the villains: a ruthless pack of devils that outnumber the good guys 100 to one. Nevertheless, despite the suicidal odds, our resourceful heroes carry out their mission, but not without considerable trouble. Sadly, Alistair MacLean's thrilling novel loses much of its panache in Robin Chapman's script. While Chapman's script keeps most of the plot intact (yes, they destroy a bridge by blasting a dam to smithereens), he has rewritten many scenes, eliminated several important characters, and added some—like Carl Weather's African-American sergeant.

Director Guy Hamilton encores explosive footage from director J. Lee Thompson's "The Guns of Navarone" to remind us that "Force 10" qualifies as a sequel. The movie opens with a map to establish the geography of the setting accompanied by stirring narration: "Deep in the heart of the Aegean Sea lies the island of Navarone. In 1943, it stood poised like a knife in the Allies' side." Hamilton keeps the action crackling and never allows the clutter of the plot—Major Keith Mallory (Shaw) and Corporal Dusty Miller (Fox) must identify a traitor as well as help out Lieutenant Colonel Mike Barnsby (Harrison Ford of "Star Wars") and his survivor blow up the bridge. In the book, Mallory and Miller were sent in to destroy the bridge and there was no Lt. Colonel Barnsby.

To his credit, Hamilton has enlisted a persuasive cast, convincing special effects, and the actual setting of the action: scenic Yugoslavia. In his last role, Robert Shaw gives a hearty performance as Mallory. Edward Fox is simply delightful as the 'vetty' British explosives expert. When he observes the bridge that Barnsby has been sent to blow up, he observes that the force of the charges won't "seriously inconvenience" the Nazis.

"Force 10 from Navarone" is a seriously underrated World War II feature film.

6 out of 7 people found the following review useful:
Most Underrated War Film, 25 March 2005

Author: James_Bond_007_218 from Wellington, New Zealand

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

While Force 10 from Navarone may not be as good as its predecessor The Guns of Navarone, it remains to be one of the most underrated war films of all time.

The survivors of Navarone have been given a new, and even more difficult assignment - they must destroy a huge bridge located deep in the Balkans. However, in their midst is a traitor who betrays them to the enemy, and nearly succeeds in foiling their plans.

Force 10 From Navarone has been poorly received by many critics such as Leonard Maltin who called the film a bomb, but this is the same person who gave films such as Jaws 3 and Jaws: The Revenge (that IMDb has put in the worst films of all time list) a 2 1/2 out of 4.

The cast which includes Robert Shaw, Harrison Ford, Bernard Fox, Franco Nero, Carl Weathers, Barbara Bach and Richard Kiel all put in good performances. The script and special effects are also worth a mention. The finale which takes place on a dam is spectacular and features some excellent miniature shots.

While its not the best war film, it is certainly a good film that is very underrated.

Ignore the critics that give it poor reviews. Watch it and decide for yourself.

"A guilty pleasure to be sure, but Ford is great and Robert Shaw's final speech is irresistible." -- Rob Vaux, FLIPSIDE MOVIE EMPORIUM

"Entertaining war flick shadowed by superior original." -- Gerry Shamray, SUN NEWSPAPERS OF CLEVELAND

"A very cool, unpretentious war film about a mission to blow up a dam." -- Shannon J. Harvey, Sunday TIMES (AUSTRALIA)

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