Rating: 
Summary: A DVD review
Review: This DVD is well produced. I thought the picture was excellent considering the age of the film. I've seen much worse on much newer films. The sound was good too. A 30 minute retrospective documentary featuring Gregory Peck, Anthony Quinn, James Darren and the director give some interesting history on the film. The "Message from Carl Foreman" was strange. It runs about 6 minutes and seems to have been filmed for an opening of a new theater in Sydney, Australia. The screenwriter just apologizes for not making it to the opening because he's filming another movie. The commentary track starts out promising with some interesting tidbits from the director but a lot of it is covered in the documentary. Most of the commentary consists of the director stating which scenes were done on location and which were done in the studio. This is uninteresting and more over, who cares? I enjoyed the featurettes from a historical point of view. They run like newsreels and give the feeling of what making a picture in the early 60's must have been like. Overall, I would recommend this DVD to anyone who likes older war movies.
Rating:
Summary: Great extras
Review: One of the greatest WWII films of all time, The Guns of Navarone has witstood the test of time, keeping the viewer in constant suspense. Beyond the thrilling film itself, the DVD is a must-own because filled with fascinating extra features. It is particularly engrossing to see the numerous interviews and featurettes with the cast that were produced both in 1960/61 and today. I found it fascinating to hear the perspectives of actors while they were working on the film contrasted with a forty-year retrospective. What I actually found more interesting was probably not even intended by the producers of the DVD. By watching interviews/newsreels then and now with the fabulously talented cast (Gregory Peck, David Niven, Anthony Quinn, etc.), one can not only learn more about the conditions under which the film was produced, but also witness to some extent the evolution of hollywood culture. For lovers of behind-the-scenes special features, this DVD is a must-own. However, I do agree with some of the other reveiwers complaints about the mediocre transfer to DVD. I did not think it was THAT big of an issue to hamper my enjoyment of the film, however--only enough for me to amend my review from 5 stars to four.
Rating:
Summary: Good Story - Not a Perfect Transfer
Review: As much as I loved the movie, I must admit that the transfer was not perfect. I cannot blame Columbia exclusively, as this is a problem of many pre-80s moives that have been transferred to DVD (Classic Example: The Maltese Falcon) I would recommend this DVD to anyone who enjoys or appreciates war thrillers.
Rating: 
Summary: Guns still fire solid shells
Review: The Guns of Navarone is, to film experts, a forgotten classic, but to the mass movie viewing audience that has continued to watch it during its numerous television dates, it remains a favorite among war movies. Why a forgotten classic? Because the American Film Institute didn't even consider it among its 400 nominated movies, and I've yet to see any other "Top 100" list that includes it. Maybe this DVD will awaken some of those so-called experts to a movie with both action and intellectual depth. As for the DVD itself, it is the best transfer yet of this magnificent film. Yes, there are flaws. It will not look like a movie made in 1999. It was filmed 40 years ago and it shows it. But if the viewer isn't one of those people who take a magnifying glass to the screen or who view it in stop-motion, scene by scene, it holds up well. As for the sound, it is the best yet. The 5.1 Dolby enhancement is great -- much better than anyone could possibly expect from a movie so old. The four featurettes are pure fluff (and very short), but are enjoyable. The 30-minute documentary is interesting. Director J. Lee Thompson is an old man now and his commentary reflects that, but it beats no commentary at all. The viewer learns much about how the film was set up and where scenes were shot. Fans of the movie will enjoy that. And Thompson's comments give insight into the difference between an action movie in 1961 and today's variety. As for the film itself, it is a wonder. The story moves smoothly. It is a film for its time and has much to offer to the younger generations that will be rediscovering this movie for many years to come. Anyone who chooses to knitpick the DVD can do so with ease. Anyone who chooses to sit back and enjoy a solid piece of 1960s filmmaking with an excellent script and cast will find this an enjoyable package.
Rating:
Summary: WWII Collectors Must Have!
Review: This movie is right up there with "Das Boot" in quality of effects, cast, plot and action. Exciting to the end with great chemistry between Niven and Peck. Literally a cliff-hanger. It is easy to see why it got the Oscar for special effects which are quite believable despite early 60's technology. The shipwreck and storm scene is worth the price alone. My only question is why did they wait so long to release it?
Rating:
Summary: ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON NAVARONE DVD
Review: I would like to add some additional comments to my previously posted review. I watched this DVD a second time. The DVD has 2 audio tracks that contain different stereo mixes. This time I used audio track # 2 and found it to be much superior to # 1. I also made some adjustments to my TV settings to try to improve the color. I strongly recommend that when you watch this DVD that you lower the brightness level about 2 or 3 notches. You might also boost the color and contrast levels 1 or 2. This greatly improves the viewing pleasure and the color does not look quite as pale as the first time I watched it. I also made a comment that the commentary track was slow moving. But I want to say that the person doing the commentary, the director J. Lee Thompson, is now 85 years old and he talks slow and because of this it can get kind of boring. But if you stick with it, there are some worthwhile comments. Based on the adjustments listed above, I will now rate this DVD one star higher. There are still parts of the movie that exhibit a flickering picture but if your mind can overcome this problem, I think you will find this DVD to be quite enjoyable. This movie is so superior that I would not want my earlier comments to steer people away from the DVD. If you have never seen this movie, you are in for a rip-roaring, high adventure, action packed, suspense classic. A great cast pulls out all stops. If you like The Dirty Dozen, Where Eagles Dare, Ice Station Zebra, you will go bananas when you see the Daddy of them all, The Guns of Navarone.
Rating:
Summary: Really Good
Review: I like commando movies, and this is no exception. Really fantastic storyline and good acting. The Greek sniper guy was my favoite character. Memorable scenes like scaling the cliffs and blowing away the patrol boat crew. A real classic and worth shelf space in your collection.
Rating: 
Summary: DISAPPOINTING WWII CLASSIC
Review: The Guns of Navarone is one of the greatest WWII movies ever made. It is also near the top of my alltime favorite list. I have bought this movie on various formats through the years and jumped for joy when I hear it was finally coming out on DVD. However, when I watched the DVD, there was no jumping or joy. The transfer is very erratic. The sound is pretty solid throughout but the picture quality is very disturbing. While certain segments are sharp and vivid, unfortunately most of the movie suffers from a very poor unstable picture. There are long stretches where the picture flutters and pulses. The color changes from scene to scene from beautiful to pale to washed out to just plain drab. I had the good fortune to see this movie in the theaters when it first came out and while I realize that the color always had a pale and drained look to it, it never loked this weird. The extras are diappointing too. The 30 minute documentary has recent interviews with the director, J. Lee Thompson, and the stars Gregory Peck, Anthony Quinn and James Darren. While their little stories about filming the movie are interesting, the documentary does not give any information about the background history and production of the movie. (Unlike the new Dr. No DVD documentary, which is outstanding!) There are also 4 short 1961 black and white featurettes filmed on the island of Rhodes during location shooting which were originally used to promote the movie. They show such "exciting" things as Irene Pappas and Gia Scala going shopping on their day off and James Darren sightseeing with his newlywed wife. The commentary track by J. Lee Thompson is slow moving and not filled with very pertinent information either. The movie is so good, that I would still recommend this DVD to everyone but it certainly could have been a lot better.
Rating:
Summary: A rousing WWII action/adventure journey!
Review: With a cast that plays all of their parts perfectly, wonderful visual effects, and a very intelligent story and screenplay, Guns of Navarone is a true classic! This movie is filled with lots of great suspense and very well shot action sequences! This is a classic adventure story that will be remembered forever!
Rating:
Summary: A Study in Leadership
Review: Since its release in 1961, "The Guns of Navarone" has received well-deserved accolades for its portrayal of men against the impossible mission. Yet, its depiction of true leadership has been completely overlooked. Gregory Peck, playing the role of Keith Mallory, the world's greatest mountaineer, is selected to an Allied commando team whose task is to destroy the two huge naval cannon on the captured Greek island of Navarone. Protected by a mass of enemy troops, and situated within a sheer rock cave below an old fortress, the radar-controlled guns, which prevent the movement of Allied shipping, are impregnable. Mallory's assignment is to ferry the team to the island by boat, climb the "impossible" south cliff, and deposit the commandos there. He can then turn about, and take a "well-deserved leave," while the others complete the mission. Through a set of circumstances, dramatically presented in the movie, Mallory is confronted with the need to command the team, a group of hostile and antagonistic men, caught in a hostile land, and cut off behind hostile enemy lines. Peck's unassuming, but totally focused manner, contrasts with that of Anthony Quayle's character, the original leader whose desire for self-aggrandizement is obvious. The need to complete the mission, and the methods used, ultimately can be seen in Mallory's tense step-by-step decision-making. It is truly a study in authentic leadership. And don't miss James Robertson Justice's low-keyed appeal to convince Mallory to take the assignment --- mid-level management at its best! With the new DVD's spectacular quality, as well as its Special Edition features, this movie is a must!
| 
