With a quick paced plot, interesting characters and some great on location filming, The Guns of Navarone is quite simply the best World War II action/adventure movie ever made!

Captain Mallory and Colonel Stavros lead a small group of men on a secret mission behind enemy lines, in occupied Greece, to blow up some huge guns that have been sinking ships in a channel of the Aegean sea. Mallory and Stravros have bad blood. They work to destroy their common enemy, The Nazi's, but Stavros is holding a serious grudge against Mallory. Also in the group is Corporal Miller who is an explosives expert. He has a complete lack of enthusiasm for the mission, as well as the military itself. Private Brown has the nickname of The Butcher of Barcelona but is he as good a killer as he is given credit? Youngest in the group is Private Pappadimos who is related to Greek resistance members. In Greece they are joined by Pappadimos's sister and her friend, Anna.

Shot in Greece, The Guns of Navarone makes full use of the landscape as well some ancient ruins. They filmed in a city and it appears as if half the town's population were extras. The characters jump from one action sequence to another. Several scenes play out with no dialogue. The director was smart enough to let the character's actions speak for themselves. The action scenes are not just there for action sake, but for a specific reason in advancing the plot.

The movie has the expected action climax but it likewise has a dramatic one. After Miller discovers someone has destroyed his explosives, he suspects someone in the group is a traitor. The scene is Niven's and Peck's best. The scene ends with, the usually cool headed, Mallory losing his temper with this memorable line. "You got me in mood to use this thing, and by God, if you don't think of something, I'll use it on you!"

Most action movies become quaint over time. Although made in 1961, The Guns of Navarone is still as exciting today as it ever was!

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