Synopsis
A team of allied saboteurs are assigned an impossible mission: infiltrate an impregnable Nazi-held island and destroy the two enormous long-range field guns that prevent the rescue of 2,000 trapped British soldiers.
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Cast
- Gregory PeckCapt. Keith Mallory
- David NivenCpl. James Arthur Miller
- Anthony QuinnCol. Andrea Stavros
- Stanley BakerPvt. 'Butcher' Brown
- Anthony QuayleMaj. Roy Franklin
- James DarrenPvt. Spyros Pappadimos
- Irene PapasMaria Pappadimos
- Gia ScalaAnna
- James Robertson JusticeCommodore Jensen / Prologue Narrator
- Richard HarrisSquadron Leader Howard Barnsby RAAF
Recommendations
- 88
Slant Magazine
Gregory Peck, as Mallory, gives a wonderfully unperturbed performance, outdone only by the versatile coldness and comedy of Anthony Quinn. David Niven is the subservient but stylish chemist Miller, rounding out a film that ranks among the best war movies—for mayhem, fighting and a simple, sanctimonious story about heroism when it’s war at all costs. - 80
Empire
Although, beyond the calling of its plot, this set of likable characters do come intelligently alive and there is real directorial skill in the growing tension of the finale — this is not just a mater of blindly going through the motions. Violently out of fashion, perhaps, but inspirational in its own tidy way. - 80
Variety
It faced the problem of a director-switch in mid-stream. But with a bunch of weighty stars, terrific special effects and several socko situations, producer Carl Foreman and director J. Lee Thompson sired a winner. - 80
Salon
When director J. Lee Thompson detonates the action set pieces, they're not just thrilling -- they're cathartic. [27 Sep 2000] - 75
TV Guide Magazine
It's handled well by veteran director J. Lee Thompson, with strong cast support and excellent production values that make it all lavish, rich, and often breathtaking. - 70
The New York Times
Even though the picture runs more than two hours and a half, it moves swiftly and gets where it is going. J. Lee Thompson has directed it with pace and has seen to it that the actors give the impression of being stout and bold. - 60
Chicago Reader
Not very memorable, but fun and exciting while you’re watching it. It’s worth the price of admission to hear the wooden-throated Peck speak Greek and German (“Like a native!” one of his superior officers comments). - 60
The Observer (UK)
The action sequences are splendid, it's magnificently staged and photographed, but there's too much pretentious moralising talk. [12 Dec 2010, p.51]
