Force 10 from Navarone

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!!