Okay, settle back into that worn spot on the sofa, maybe imagine the faint hum of the VCR whirring nearby. Some sequels arrive trailing clouds of glory, perfectly continuing a beloved story. Others… well, others are more like that unexpected cousin who shows up for the holidays – loud, a bit rough around the edges, maybe spills something, but ultimately brings a certain chaotic energy you can’t help but find entertaining. "Force 10 from Navarone" (1978) definitely falls into that latter category, a film that crash-landed onto video store shelves years after its legendary predecessor and offered a distinctly different, yet undeniably rugged, brand of wartime adventure.
### Another Mission, Different Vibe
Following up on the colossal success of 1961's The Guns of Navarone was always going to be a Herculean task. Seventeen years is a long time in Hollywood, and "Force 10" arrives feeling less like a direct continuation and more like a spiritual successor wearing its predecessor's hand-me-downs. We rejoin Major Mallory and Sergeant Miller, though recast with the formidable Robert Shaw (in one of his final, poignant performances) and Edward Fox (reprising his demolitions expert role with delightful cynicism, stepping into David Niven's sizable shoes). Their new mission, grafted onto the end of the first film somewhat jarringly, involves heading into Nazi-occupied Yugoslavia to eliminate a German spy and destroy a strategically vital bridge. Simple, right?
Of course not. This is an Alistair MacLean-adjacent adventure (based loosely on his novel, though reportedly MacLean wasn't thrilled with the final script), so complications pile up faster than spent cartridges. Tagging along, much to Mallory’s chagrin, is an American unit led by the charismatic Lieutenant Colonel Barnsby, played by none other than Harrison Ford. This casting is a fascinating time capsule; Star Wars had hit the year before, making Ford a recognisable face, but this was pre-Indiana Jones. Watching him here, you see the swagger, the physicality, the dry wit – all the ingredients of the global superstar he was about to become, simmering just below the surface in a role that feels like a trial run for Indy himself.
### A Cast of Characters (and Some Behind-the-Scenes Chaos)
Rounding out this eclectic squad are Barbara Bach, fresh off The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), as a sultry Yugoslav partisan, the always imposing Carl Weathers (Rocky's Apollo Creed) as a reluctant sergeant dragged along for the ride, and the excellent Franco Nero as the partisan leader. It's a frankly bizarre, almost fantasy-league assembly of late-70s action figures, and their chemistry, while perhaps not as seamless as the original Navarone crew, provides much of the film's pulpy charm.
The film’s journey to the screen was apparently almost as fraught as the mission itself. The original stars, Gregory Peck and David Niven, were approached but declined, paving the way for Shaw and Fox. Directed by Guy Hamilton, a veteran of several classic James Bond films including Goldfinger (1964) and Live and Let Die (1973), "Force 10" certainly has a different feel. Hamilton brings a grittier, more grounded approach compared to J. Lee Thompson's grander, more operatic original. The budget, around $10 million, was substantial for the time, but the film sadly didn't recoup its costs domestically, pulling in just over $7 million stateside – a far cry from the original's blockbuster status. Filming primarily in Yugoslavia (now Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Malta reportedly presented its own set of logistical hurdles, adding to the slightly chaotic feel that permeates the final product. Tragically, Robert Shaw passed away from a heart attack in August 1978, mere months after filming completed and before the film's December release, lending his typically commanding performance an unintended layer of melancholy.
### Explosions, Escapes, and VHS Charm
So, what about the adventure itself? "Force 10" delivers plenty of the requisite shootouts, daring escapes, double-crosses, and things going boom. The set pieces, while maybe lacking the sheer iconic power of the original's giant cannons, are still impressive feats of practical effects wizardry from the era. Remember watching that dam burst sequence on a fuzzy rental tape? The sheer volume of water, the miniature work – it felt massive, a testament to the tangible craft filmmakers employed before CGI became ubiquitous. The climactic bridge demolition, orchestrated by Fox's ever-resourceful Miller, is suitably explosive and satisfying, providing the pyrotechnic payoff the title promises.
Yet, the plot often feels like it's held together with chewing gum and sheer willpower. It zigzags across the Yugoslavian landscape, introducing new threats and allies with breathless speed, sometimes sacrificing coherence for the sake of another action beat. But honestly, watching it again now, that slightly disjointed, almost episodic structure is part of its charm. It feels like the kind of rugged, slightly overstuffed war adventure comic you'd read as a kid, packed with daring heroes, dastardly villains (hello, Richard Kiel aka 'Jaws' in a supporting role!), and impossible odds.
### Retro Fun Facts
A few nuggets for your next trivia night: The commandos initially parachute into Yugoslavia from a Lancaster bomber. Getting one airworthy for filming was a challenge; the production used the famous Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum's Lancaster (one of only two flying in the world at the time). Also, keep an eye out for Angus MacInnes, who played Gold Leader in Star Wars, appearing here as Lt. Reynolds. It's a small world in the rebellion, it seems!
### The Verdict
"Force 10 from Navarone" isn't the masterpiece its predecessor was. It's messier, pulpier, and feels distinctly like a product of the late 70s action movie landscape rather than the grand war epics of the early 60s. But judged on its own terms, especially through the warm, fuzzy lens of VHS nostalgia, it’s a blast. The incredible cast, the relentless pace, the impressive practical effects, and Guy Hamilton's knack for staging punchy action sequences make it immensely watchable. It might not have the thematic weight or polished grandeur of The Guns of Navarone, but it delivers a payload of rugged, explosive entertainment that likely kept many a VCR busy on rainy Saturday afternoons.
Rating: 7/10 - While undeniably flawed and paling in comparison to the original, "Force 10" delivers solid, star-studded, practical-effects-laden action-adventure fare. Its stellar cast, particularly the glimpse of Harrison Ford on the cusp of mega-stardom, and its sheer commitment to blowing things up make it a highly entertaining watch, perfectly capturing that late-70s/early-80s rough-and-tumble mission movie vibe.