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The Guns Of Navarone Reviews

1961 Certificate PG
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 4777 members

One of the great war movies of all time, with an all start cast, and a gripping plot--based on the Alistair MacLean novel. A commando team is sent to a Greek Island to destroy the giant guns of World War II Germany which are controlling a strategic channel in the Aegean Sea. This was a groundbreaker in the Special Effects .. Read more

Starring Gregory Peck, David Niven, Anthony Quinn, Stanley Baker
Director J. Lee Thompson
Genres Action/Adventure, Drama

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  • Critics' reviews (2) of The Guns Of Navarone

    View all
  • 2 stars out of 4

    Ambitiously produced Boy's Own Paper heroics, with lots of noise and self-sacrifice; intermittently exciting but bogged down by philosophical chat.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
  • Producer Carl Foreman specialised in downbeat movies questioning the nature of wartime heroism. But the on-going... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
  • Most helpful members' reviews (3) of The Guns Of Navarone

    View all
  • 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    A World War II Classic not to be missed!!

    A small band of allied saboteurs led by Gregory Peck sets out to destroy a set of 2 mighty, radar controlled anti-naval guns which have brought allied shipping in the Aegean Sea (Mediterranean Sea between Greece and Turkey) to a standstill. The clock is ticking for 2000 stranded allied soldiers in desperate need of sea-based evacuation.

    Good acting, especially by David Niven, suspenseful action sequences, and the good story line make this movie a treat for a greater audience than just the fans of the genre. Additionally, the movie raises interesting questions about the morality of warfare. It strongly contrasts the often-portrayed notion that the allied forces are gallant heroes and natural defenders of the moral high ground whereas the axis powers are invariable cruel and evil villains. Refreshingly, the movie steers clear of these stereotypes and instead shows several officers on both sides, Allies and Germans, being driven by noble and ignoble motives, which lends the storyline and its discourse of morality a healthy dose of credibility.

    A World War II Classic not to be missed!!

      • AlexS from London
  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Excellent war classic

    Having been a big fan of war films like 'A Bridge Too Far' and 'The Great Escape', as well as ones like 'The Dirty Dozen', I looked forward to seeing 'The Guns of Navarone'. And it didn't disappoint at all. It is a great story of heroism and espionage as well as an enjoyable watch. Gregory Peck is outstanding and although I'm not a big Niven fan, he is also excellent. It is a great story and is all the better for being true - like all great war films. Definitely highly recommended.

      • Stephen Tarr from Nottingham, England
  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    High Adventure Indeed

    Guns of Navarone is a true epic of a film. I am not a huge fan of war films but my view has changed after viewing this masterpiece. It has enough impact by itself, without the fact it is based on true events. This, like Saving Private Ryan is truly humbling in showing the indomitable spirit and courage of the amazing people who fought in the last world war. I urge you to see it!!

      • Colin Johnstone from Arbroath, Scotland
  • Most recent members' reviews (2) of The Guns Of Navarone

    View all
  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    High Adventure Indeed

    Guns of Navarone is a true epic of a film. I am not a huge fan of war films but my view has changed after viewing this masterpiece. It has enough impact by itself, without the fact it is based on true events. This, like Saving Private Ryan is truly humbling in showing the indomitable spirit and courage of the amazing people who fought in the last world war. I urge you to see it!!

      • Colin Johnstone from Arbroath, Scotland
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    very good movie, great war film the special effects were awesome for it's time...

      • Henry#7 from GOSPORT
  • 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    A World War II Classic not to be missed!!

    A small band of allied saboteurs led by Gregory Peck sets out to destroy a set of 2 mighty, radar controlled anti-naval guns which have brought allied shipping in the Aegean Sea (Mediterranean Sea between Greece and Turkey) to a standstill. The clock is ticking for 2000 stranded allied soldiers in desperate need of sea-based evacuation.

    Good acting, especially by David Niven, suspenseful action sequences, and the good story line make this movie a treat for a greater audience than just the fans of the genre. Additionally, the movie raises interesting questions about the morality of warfare. It strongly contrasts the often-portrayed notion that the allied forces are gallant heroes and natural defenders of the moral high ground whereas the axis powers are invariable cruel and evil villains. Refreshingly, the movie steers clear of these stereotypes and instead shows several officers on both sides, Allies and Germans, being driven by noble and ignoble motives, which lends the storyline and its discourse of morality a healthy dose of credibility.

    A World War II Classic not to be missed!!

      • AlexS from London
  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Excellent war classic

    Having been a big fan of war films like 'A Bridge Too Far' and 'The Great Escape', as well as ones like 'The Dirty Dozen', I looked forward to seeing 'The Guns of Navarone'. And it didn't disappoint at all. It is a great story of heroism and espionage as well as an enjoyable watch. Gregory Peck is outstanding and although I'm not a big Niven fan, he is also excellent. It is a great story and is all the better for being true - like all great war films. Definitely highly recommended.

      • Stephen Tarr from Nottingham, England
  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    High Adventure Indeed

    Guns of Navarone is a true epic of a film. I am not a huge fan of war films but my view has changed after viewing this masterpiece. It has enough impact by itself, without the fact it is based on true events. This, like Saving Private Ryan is truly humbling in showing the indomitable spirit and courage of the amazing people who fought in the last world war. I urge you to see it!!

      • Colin Johnstone from Arbroath, Scotland
  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    All time classic war movie with an excellent cast, a true sunday afternoon film which can be watched and watched.

      • David#166 from DUNDEE
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    very good movie, great war film the special effects were awesome for it's time...

      • Henry#7 from GOSPORT
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Top war film

    Its a great story with a high quality cast. I watched the film with my 7 year old son and we both really enjoyed the action.

      • Justin Blackburn from Sheffield, England
  • Rated - 5 stars

    A Classic

    With some of the greatest actors of their generation, this film is a landmark in the war film lexicon. From the voiceover from James Robertson Justice to the final infiltration of the gun emplacement, this film exudes class. If you have not seen it, you must.

      • Tim Bell from Cumbria
  • Rated - 5 stars

    Problems with extras

    whilst the film is great trying to watch the extra reatures you will find there is a read problem with the discs this is not a problem with the disc but a fault in manufacture of the film disc itself.

    The freatures are unwatchable this has been reported to the manufactureres who were aware of the problem.

      • A customer from Aldershot England
  • Rated - 5 stars

    Classic

    Guns of Navarone is a classic war film that is best watched on a Sunday Afternoon.

      • A customer from West Midlands
  • Rated - 4 stars

    A British clasic

    One of the best WW2 films made. Full of action and great special effects, for the time. If you've holidayed on Rhodes, some scenery may feel familier.

      • A customer from Uphill, Somerset
  • Critics' reviews (2)

  • 2 stars out of 4

    Ambitiously produced Boy's Own Paper heroics, with lots of noise and self-sacrifice; intermittently exciting but bogged down by philosophical chat.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
  • Producer Carl Foreman specialised in downbeat movies questioning the nature of wartime heroism. But the on-going... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out

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    • The Guns Of Navarone
      One of the great war movies of all time, with an all start cast, and a gripping plot--based on the Alistair MacLean novel. A commando team is sent to a Greek Island to destroy the giant guns of World War II Germany which are controlling a strategic channel in the Aegean Sea. This was a ...

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