Force 10 from Navarone is a sequel, largely in name only, to The Guns of Navarone. Given that seventeen years had passed between films, Guy Hamilton in the director’s chair instead of J. Lee Thompson. Before the credits, the final scene of The Guns of Navarone is revisited to remind the audience what the title is referencing. Most crucially, Robert Shaw and Edward Fox replace Gregory Peck and David Niven as Keith Mallory and John Miller.

Two years after the mission on Navarone, Mallory and Miller are back in action, sent on a mission to assassinate an old nemesis Nicolai (Franco Nero), who betrayed them to the Germans in the original film (then played by Tutte Lemlow), and now masquerading as a partisan in Yugoslavia. To get there, they are attached to “Force 10,” led by American Lieutenant Colonel Mike Barnsby (Harrison Ford), who have their own mission to destroy a vital bridge. From the start, there are problems. After stealing a Lancaster bomber from an airfield in Termoli, they are joined by U.S. Army Sergeant Weaver (Carl Weathers), get shot down by the Luftwaffe, bail out, and are captured by the Chetniks who are devoted to the Germans.

Much maligned through the years, Force 10 From Navarone had little hope of emulating its predecessor. With the passage of time, a new cast, and a different director comes a change in tone. While Guns was serious through and through, there’s a decidedly more tongue and cheek feel to the proceedings here. A lot of the interplay between Edward Fox and Robert Shaw is lighthearted–evidence perhaps, that neither man took the material too seriously. Fresh off his major success in Star Wars: A New Hope, Harrison Ford is a bit stiff, but loosens up as the action proceeds. Carl Weathers (fresh off his success as Apollo Creed in Rocky) turns up, along with James Bond series vets Barbara Bach and Richard Kiel as local partisans whose allegiances one can never be entirely trusted.

In short, Force 10 From Navarone isn’t a classic film, it has some effective action beats. Of particular note, is the impressive (for the time), climax, with miniature effects.

Presented in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio, Kino’s new 2K master is solid. While the overall image can only be described as satisfactory, that is due to the condition of the source and NOT the quality of the transfer. Depth is minimal, but there is no major damage to the image.

Kino offers both DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround and 2.0 audio tracks in the English language. Loud war related effects come through aggressively, separation is apparent in surrounds. Shows off both depth and bass.

English SDH subtitles are included.

The following extras are available:

  • Audio Commentary with Filmmaker/Historian Steve Mitchell and Author/Historian Steve Mitchell
  • Theatrical Trailer (HD, 1:45)