The Guns of Navarone

Its old school Hollywood at its finest! Watch and see for yourself. It NEVER gets old.

Saw this when I was a kid on the big screen in Seattle. I loved it then and I love it today at 72. Great film and cast.

The Guns of Navarone has one of the classiest steelbooks I've seen. The product picture doesn't capture the way the blue hues shine when you're actually holding the product. But enough of the facade. Underneath the excellent packaging is one of the best war films ever made, looking and sounding its best, thanks to this 4K restoration. At its core, it is an adventure film about a small team facing extraordinary odds. Along the way, it tackles real moral dilemmas soldiers and spies face in the heat of battle. It strikes the right balance between seriousness and cinematic magic, creating a satisfying movie experience. A must have for any film collector / enthusiast.

A great WWII drama/adventure (possibly the best ever made) based on a novel by Alistair Maclean, it won the Academy Award for Best Special Effects and was nominated for seven awards, one of them Best Picture. I saw it when it first came out in the 60s but it still keeps me on the edge of my seat with great acting and plot, continual suspense, and heart-stopping action scenes. In brief, a British commando team, each of whom is chosen for his particular specialty (climbing, explosives), is led by Gregory Peck to destroy or disable two formidable Nazi guns on the Greek island of Navarone; the guns sit atop a 400-foot cliff overlooking the Aegean sea in a deep bunker impossible to destroy by air attack. To accomplish their mission the team must first navigate a difficult sea voyage, then climb the sheer 400 foot cliff, the only possible and least-guarded approach to the massive guns in their bunker. The urgency of their mission lies in the need to destroy the guns and bunker in just a few days, before the approaching Nazis get to the Aegean island of Kiros, where 2,000 British soldiers are waiting to be evacuated. The story of how they scale the cliff, and then evade the Nazis who've discovered the assault plan, has lots of twists and turns (character conflicts, a betrayal) before they eventually -- in a breath-holding sequence -- destroy the guns and make their escape, their mission accomplished. This is no spoiler; you know they'll win. The prize is watching these top actors (Gregory Peck, David Niven, Anthony Quinn) carry out the engrossing plot and thrilling conclusion.The usual war cliches are there, but as a minor, well-integrated aspect of one of the best war movies ever made. I went to see it twice when it came out, and I think I just might watch it again now.

Those who will get to watch 'The Guns of Navarone' for the first time in blu ray are very fortunate! I saw it when it appeared in the theater circuit back in 1961 with my father. I was in my single digits, so I can't compare quality then with even the VHS copies that were around decades later (circa 1989). This is a film that was meant to convey adventure and action, and Alistair MacLean's novel is not short-changed in any way. Featuring an all-star cast headed by Gregory Peck with David Niven, Anthony Quinn, Irene Papas, and a young James Darren it earned a top billing wherever it played, and more than tripled it's 6 million dollar budget earning over $18 million in receipts. In the early 1960s, a film that could earn a million dollars was considered a financial success! The film had quality control issues and the many copies produced resulted in the loss of several reels of the original negative. However, in the 80s when VHS was the only way to any home entertainment experience, the secondary video quality was not given much thought. The film's action and intensity overshadow most technical losses. Showing in theaters during an era when b & w TV was the norm, how it looked in the theater certainly was most satisfactory by most anyone's standard. Such a film made available on VHS in 1989 was exciting, offering a new home viewing experience. I haven't owned a VHS player in years, and anything I had of value of family sentiment was transferred to DVD years ago. I cringe at the thought of watching this film in that format, but then I never liked VHS! S-VHS offered little improvement, though its increased resolution was nice, but few releases were ever made in Super VHS. I bought the DVD back in 2000, and it looked good but the soundtrack is not overwhelmingly different from the new blu ray version. It does have a slight edge in its audio definition and has been digitally cleaned-up a bit and enhanced, with some spacial additions adding ambiance for a few scenes. But don't expect the serious surround today's features offer. It didn't exist back in 1961! Since many scenes in 'Navarone' were daytime exposures made to look like night, the underexposure and lighting tend to offer slightly more visibility in the new blu ray version, and the more detailed definition in color is also nothing short of a great movie experience. Such an experience has not been possible since this film was presented in its theatrical version in theaters half a century ago, so this should not go unnoticed! A punchier, more bass-laden audio as recorded today with full dynamic range would be nicer, but the audio you will hear will not disappoint you. A full orchestra in 1961 was a challenge to record, and with an average dynamic range of perhaps 70 db on a good day with great acoustics and recording equipment, today's worst recordings can surpass this half again. But a great soundtrack such as this film presents as written and conducted by Dimitri Tiomkin would likely not ultimately be more justified by technology than the action this film gave it then. 'The Guns of Navarone' stands as a feature that has not only survived the test of time, but for many of us even survived the test of repeated performances! From its theater days to TV, VHS, DVD and now blu ray... I suspect it will find sales to many who, like myself, wanted it long before the studio even scanned it fresh for its HD debut. Look for it soon on streaming sources and in HD when it does show on TV. Classic films are what they are... most of us know which films they are, and when one comes along (which in our present day I have found can be counted on one hand with fingers left over!) it is recognized as something special. A film which stands the test of time is truly rare in today's world, and classics will always be recognized for the action, entertainment and artistic quality they have brought to audiences in the years they have endured. With half a century passing since its theatrical release, 'The Guns of Navarone' belongs in the same ranks as other iconic war films such as Patton, Bridge On The River Kwai, A Bridge Too Far, The Longest Day and Tora, Tora, Tora. No collection could be complete without it, and thankfully, Sony Pictures must agree. 'The Guns of Navarone' in blu ray can be purchased new for well below its retail list of $19.99 (ie, Amazon where I ordered mine). It is a film well worth the time to watch, and one you will appreciate and want as part of your collection.

This is an oldie but goodie. A classic WWII film.

Love this movie and will watch it again and again.

Great movie . A classic Gregory Peck movie

Gran película y ahora con una imagen más nítida, Ampliamente recomendable, llego en el tiempo indicado y en buenas condiciones.

Sehr gut

Super satisfait excellent qualité image son et plein écran quoi demander de plus

I found this production very clear and absorbing. It is years since I first saw this movie and it was just an impulse that got me into seeing it on the TV. That caused me to go ahead and purchase this Blu Ray copy. I have found myself watching it more than once. I have enjoyed doing so.

『ナバロンの要塞』(The Guns of Navarone)('61) 出演∶グレゴリー・ペック、アンソニー・クイン、デイヴィッド・ニーヴン、スタンリー・ベイカー、アンソニー・クエイル、ジェームズ・ダーレン、イレーネ・パパス、ジア・スカラ、ジェームズ・ロバートソン・ジャスティス、リチャード・ハリス、ジョージ・マイケル、ウォルター・ゴテル ナレーション /ジェームズ・ロバートソン・ジャスティス 監督∶J・リー・トンプソン アリステア・マクリーンは史上最も売れっ子の冒険小説作家であろう。1950年代に英国でデビューしたマクリーンは続く'60年代にはさらに大ブレイクし､その作品は次々と映画化される。初期の作品は､軍隊や秘密諜報組織などの精鋭が主人公の冒険譚が多く､海洋や北極圏など厳しい自然環境を背景にした男の世界が展開される｡ この『ナバロンの要塞』は彼の初めての映画化作品ではなかったかな(たぶん)。彼の得意パターンの一つで､主人公を中心とした精鋭グループに危険で成功の見込みの薄い任務が課せられる。犠牲を払いながらも苛烈な自然環境や敵のワナなどの障害を乗り越えて目的達成に邁進する彼ら。だがグループの身内や協力者の中に敵のスパイがいる疑惑が起こる。内憂外患の中､彼らは生きて任務を達成出来るのか!? この得意パターンが､この初期映画化作品で見事に完成されている。手に汗握るスリリングな冒険サスペンス・シーンの連続の中に巧みな伏線が張り巡らしてあって､意外な人物の正体が発覚したり､思いもかけないドンデン返しがあったり……。一難去ってまた一難の冒険活劇＋謎解きミステリーの二重構造になっていて"一粒で２度美味しい"タイプのエンターテインメント大作です｡ [物語] 1943年､第二次世界大戦中。ドイツと交戦中の英国将兵2,000名が､ギリシャのケロス島で孤立していた。トルコとは至近距離にある島だ。中立の立場を取るトルコを味方に引き入れたいドイツは､示威行動として英国部隊を壊滅させて見せようとしていた。英国軍は部隊撤退・搬送のために駆逐艦６隻を派遣しようとするが､隣のナバロン島の崖の上にはドイツ軍の要塞砲２門があり､砲はレーダー照準式で精度と破壊力抜群で､艦は容易にケロス島に接近できなかった｡ 敵の総攻撃の情報を察知した英国軍は､駆逐艦接近のためにナバロンの要塞砲を破壊しようと空襲するが､崖の出っ張りが天然の要害になり破壊できない。難攻不落の要塞島に少人数の部隊を潜入させて破壊工作をするしかないが､そのためには警備の手薄な南岸の100ｍ以上の垂直な絶壁から､爆破装備を持った精鋭部隊を送り込むしかなかった。ドイツ語とギリシャ語に堪能で登山家としても知られるマロリー大尉(ペック)に白羽の矢が立つ｡ 他のメンバーは､化学の教授で爆破の天才だが将校への昇進を拒み続ける変人ミラー伍長(ニーヴン)。ギリシャ軍将校でレジスタンス闘士のスタブロウ大佐(クイン)。メカや通信の専門家でナイフ使いの名人のブラウン一等兵(ベイカー)。ナバロン抵抗組織のリーダーの息子で殺人術に長けたパパディモス(ダーレン)。そして隊のリーダーとして､計画発案者でもあるフランクリン少佐(クエイル)という計６名が選ばれた｡ ボロ船を漁船に偽装して島に接近する部隊は､途中ドイツ軍警備船の臨検に正体がバレそうになるが､スキを見て敵兵を倒してドイツ船を沈めて島に向かう。暴風雨に巻き込まれ､一部の物資や食料を失いながら､隊は断崖にたどり着く。辛うじて断崖を登りつめるが､フランクリンが脚を骨折してしまう。パパディモスの姉・マリア(パパス)やアンナ(スカラ)ら抵抗組織のメンバーと合流するが､要塞の麓の村はドイツ軍の支配下にあった。重傷者を抱えた彼らが取った潜入・爆破作戦とは……!? 今から60数年前の作品としては､アカデミー特殊効果賞を受賞したVFXはかなりよくできている。巨大なプールや漁船のセットや精巧なミニチュアを使ったであろう暴風雨&難破シーンは､今見てもかなりの迫力だ。夜間の屋外での活動シーンのいくつかは大きな屋内スタジオと見えて､自然光にしては多少違和感があるし､岩肌などの質感も微妙にリアリティがないのだが､この当時の撮影・録音・照明・フィルムなど機材の性能や感度ではこの辺が限界だろう｡ 久々にこの時代に作られた映画を見たが､昨今の映画に比べて､いとも簡単に人を殺すシーンが多いことに驚く。記憶では､1970〜80年代頃のTVの刑事もの(『刑事コジャック』etc.)などの犯罪描写が少年犯罪を助長しているという"良識派の世論"がアメリカで幅を利かせるようになり､刑事ものやアクションものばかりか､正義の味方が悪者をブチのめしたりするアニメまでがヤリ玉に上がって､すべての暴力を子供に見せないフィルターがかけられてしまったことがある｡ 戦争映画が大量に作られていた'60年代の映画では､主人公たちの"正義"のためなら"敵"を殺すことは当たり前のことだったんですよね。それを見た少年がみな犯罪に走るなんて誰も考えなかった"古き良き時代"ってヤツでしょうか(笑) [余談] この映画を初めて見たのは､1970年代TVの吹替え洋画番組だったと思うが､ギリシャ人のパパディモス青年の役でジェームズ・ダーレンが出てるのが嬉しかったのを覚えている。それ以前の小学校高学年から中学生ぐらいの頃にTVの超人気SFドラマ『タイムトンネル』に主演していたのが彼だったのです。未完成の時間旅行機"タイムトンネル"に迷い込んだ青年科学者が色んな時代を渡り歩く話でした。ナバロンで彼が人を殺すたびに「歴史が変わるぞ」と心の中で叫んでました｡(←バカですね～(笑))