The Guns of Navarone (1961)

Source: Sony: Blu-ray, 2011.

Year: 1961

Director: J. Lee Thompson

Action Stars

Stanley Baker

David Niven

Gregory Peck

Anthony Quinn

Genre: Combat

Country: United Kingdom

Story Duration: 02:27:52

Act Duration:

1st Act: 00:43:10

2nd Act: 00:40:49

3rd Act: 00:32:58

4th Act: 00:30:55

Plot Turns:

1st: Arrival at Navarone

2nd: Mission team captured by German army

3rd: Anna Exposed as Spy

ASD Ratio: 51%

AAD Ratios:

1st Act: 39%

2nd Act: 42%

3rd Act: 44%

4th Act: 87%

Action Structure: 3124

Action Scenarios

Capture

Dangerous Environment

Escape

Fall

Fight

Rescue

Speed

Total Action Moments: 32

1. Falling scenario the inherent risk to extreme climbing.
2. Embedded rescue of Captain Keith Mallory.
3. Realization of falling risk.
4. Unidirectional stabbing of a German soldier.
Action Structure

Notable Action Sequence: Climbing the Cliffs

Duration: 00:07:59

Act: 2nd

Action Scenarios:

Dangerous Environment

Fall

Fight

Rescue

Description: The arrival of the mission team to Navarone Island is marked by two notable sequences that underscore how nature itself can supply precarious environments to situate action. The first is an extended storm, a sequence that runs over thirteen minutes in length, which eventually shipwrecks the mission team’s boat. The second is the scaling of the cliffs of Navarone, which was one of the reasons why Captain Keith Mallory (Gregory Peck) was selected for the mission, given his previous climbing experience. The risk of the ascent is further heightened due to the wet stormy conditions and is undertaken under cover of darkness [Figure 1]. The ascent also activates the falling scenario as the inherent risk of extreme climbing. This risk is realized twice in the sequence. The first is when Mallory slips, but Andrea Stavros (Anthony Quinn) grabs him, representing an embedded rescue [Figure 2]. The suspense to the rescue is further augmented by Stavros’ earlier vow to kill Mallory, who he views as responsible for the death of his family. The second instance occurs when Major Roy Franklin (Anthony Quayle) falls down a section of the cliff face and is severely injured, jeopardizing the overall mission to destroy the large artillery guns [Figure 3]. Adding to the risk of the sequence is the patrolling German soldier at the top of the cliff whom Stavros dispatches by knifing and tossing him over the cliff [Figure 4].

 

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