Where Was the Guns of Navarone Filmed?
The Guns of Navarone, a classic 1961 war film, is a cinematic masterpiece that has captivated audiences for decades. Directed by J. Lee Thompson and produced by Carl Foreman, the movie tells the story of a group of Allied commandos who embark on a perilous mission to destroy a German-occupied fortress in the Greek islands during World War II. One of the most intriguing aspects of the film is its filming locations, which took the production team to some of the most stunning and remote parts of the Mediterranean. In this article, we’ll explore the filming locations of The Guns of Navarone, delving into the islands, beaches, and cities where the movie was brought to life.
Primary Filming Locations
The main filming locations for The Guns of Navarone were Corfu, Kefalonia, and Crete in Greece. These islands provided the perfect backdrop for the movie’s dramatic storyline, with their rugged coastlines, picturesque villages, and historic landmarks.
Corfu
Corfu, the second-largest of the Ionian Islands, was the primary filming location for the movie. Old Corfu Town was used as the backdrop for the fictional town of Porto Angelo, where the Allied commandos begin their mission. The town’s historic architecture, including the Old Fortress and the Church of St. Spyridon, added to the movie’s authenticity.
Kefalonia
Kefalonia, also known as Cephalonia, was used to film the scenes on Navarone Island, where the commandos’ ultimate goal is to destroy the German guns. Sami Beach, on the north coast of Kefalonia, was chosen for its stunning scenery and Navarone Castle, a 16th-century fortress that was used as the inspiration for the film’s fictional Fortress Navarone.
Crete
Crete, the largest island in Greece, was used for filming the scenes on the Greek mainland and Crete’s mountains. Chania, a charming town on Crete’s northwest coast, was used as the backdrop for the Allied commandos’ hideout, while the White Mountains provided the perfect backdrop for the commandos’ trek through the mountains.
Secondary Filming Locations
In addition to Corfu, Kefalonia, and Crete, the production team visited other locations in Greece to film additional scenes. These included:
- Zakynthos (also known as Zante), where the commandos are seen arriving in Greece.
- Athens, where the commandos are shown gathering intelligence and planning their mission.
- Rafina, a town on the east coast of Attica, where the commandos are seen setting off on their mission.
- Tinos, a small island in the Cyclades, where some of the commandos’ escape scenes were filmed.
Other Interesting Facts
Here are some additional interesting facts about the filming of The Guns of Navarone:
- Roger Moore, who played Major Keith Mallory, the leader of the Allied commandos, was not initially impressed with the film’s script. However, after visiting the filming locations in Greece, he became enamored with the project.
- Anthony Quinn, who played Andrea, a Greek fisherman who helps the commandos, had a personal connection to the film. His father had fought in the Greek Civil War, and Quinn himself had been involved in a rebellion against the Spanish dictator Francisco Franco.
- The Guns of Navarone was the first film to use computer-generated imagery (CGI) to create special effects. The film’s CGI work was done by a team of scientists at the University of London, who used a computer system called NIMROD to create the special effects.
Conclusion
The Guns of Navarone is a cinematic masterpiece that has captivated audiences for decades. The film’s filming locations in Corfu, Kefalonia, and Crete provided the perfect backdrop for the movie’s dramatic storyline, with their rugged coastlines, picturesque villages, and historic landmarks. While the film’s special effects were groundbreaking for its time, it’s the island of Navarone’s natural beauty that remains one of the film’s most enduring attractions.
