A Reel Retro Review: FORCE 10 FROM NAVARONE (1978)

Reel Speak’s Retro Reviews will randomly review a classic film from the TCM library every week, with the intention of introducing some overlooked and perhaps forgotten screen gems from the past to those of us who may be unfamiliar or unawares of their existence. 

 

As we continue to celebrate STAR WARS Month, it’s always fun to revisit or discover the films of its stars. Perhaps the biggest star of the franchise has been Harrison Ford, who blasted his way into our hearts as the charming smuggler turned war hero. After THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, he swung his way into pop culture as Indiana Jones. But inbetween Indy and Han, he went to war against the Nazi’s in Guy Hamilton’s FORCE 10 FROM NAVARONE. 

 

WWII, 1943. Lt. Barnsby (Ford), of the U.S. Army Rangers, is teamed-up with British Major Mallory (Robert Shaw), to lead a joint-secret mission in Yugoslavia. 

 

Based on the novel of the same name by Alistair MacLean, and a sequel to the 1961 film THE GUNS OF NAVARONE, FORCE 10 is one-part war film, one-part espionage. Barnsby and Mallory have separate missions, each one a secret to the other. Barnsby’s task is to blow up a bridge, while Mallory is to assassinate a German spy; a leftover thread from the previous film. Things are complicated when their plane is shot down over enemy lines, which kills off most of their team. This leaves Barnsby and Mallory to argue and conspire their way through German forces and rebel factions whose alliances aren’t always clear. 

 

The charisma between the primary players, Barnsby and Mallory, truly drives the film as they go from place to place looking for resources and allies to complete their missions. Long-time fans of STAR WARS and JAWS (1975) will love seeing Ford and Shaw battle each other before finally teaming up to punch Nazi’s in the face. Overall the film is testosterone-fueled and definitely an old-school war picture, but there is enough meat on the bone to sustain it. Director Guy Hamilton films some great fight scenes, and the tension built during some of the sneaking-around pieces are very well done. 

 

Harrison Ford and Robert Shaw own the film, as well they should, and both are perfect as good soldiers with toughness and charm. Carl Weathers of ROCKY fame comes in as an Army medic and faces off well against Ford and Shaw. Richard Kiel (“Jaws” from the James Bond films), also appears and makes an impression. Actress Barbara Bach, as the only woman in the film, nearly steals the show. 

 

After an explosive finale, what’s left of their team is left behind enemy lines with no way home, which seems to have been a set up for a sequel that never happened. It’s a little unsatisfying, but most ambiguous endings are. Still, FORCE 10 is a lot of fun with the stars shining brightly. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: See it 

 

Reel Facts: FORCE 10 has several actors that would join Harrison Ford in his future STAR WARS and Indiana Jones adventures; Michael Byrne (THE LAST CRUSADE), Wolf Kahler (RAIDERS), and Michael Sheard (LAST CRUSADE and EMPIRE). Robert Shaw would only appear in one more film before his death in 1978.