O Comando 10 de Navarone

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!!