An overlooked war film that enthusiasts have hailed as ‘underrated’ is set to broadcast on ITV this New Year’s Eve.

With Harrison Ford in a surprising leading role, Force 10 From Navarone boasts a stellar ensemble of acting heavyweights, including Robert Shaw and Edward Fox.

Released in 1978 and helmed by director Guy Hamilton, the film draws loosely from Alistair MacLean’s novel of the same title and serves as a sequel to the 1961 classic, The Guns of Navarone.

Shaw’s Mallory and Fox’s Miller find themselves assigned to an elite American military unit during the Second World War, following their successful sabotage of radar-guided Nazi artillery.

The specialist unit, dubbed Force 10, operates under the command of Colonel Barnsby, portrayed by Harrison Ford.

Their objective is to track down a fugitive Nazi operative who can only be recognised by Mallory and Miller.

Yet the stakes escalate dramatically when the unit penetrates enemy territory and Barnsby develops feelings for Maritza, a Russian resistance fighter brought to life by Barbara Bach.

This marked Ford’s debut role following the phenomenon of Star Wars, which he accepted out of concern about being pigeonholed as a science fiction performer, reports <a href=”https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/underrated-war-film-unexpected-list-36468065″ rel=”Follow” target=”_self”>the Mirror</a>.

Reflecting on the part at the time, he described it as a “strong support character”, though he later conceded “it wasn’t a bad film. There were honest people involved and it was an honest effort. But it wasn’t the right thing for me to do.”

He added: “I was lost because I didn’t know what the story was about. I didn’t have anything to act. There was no reason for my character being there. I had no part of the story that was important to tell. I had a hard time taking the stage with the bull that I was supposed to be doing.”

Unfortunately, the follow-up to the enormously popular Guns of Navarone failed to replicate its predecessor’s commercial triumph, earning just a fraction of the original’s takings. The novelist behind the source material was equally disappointed.

The film also marked Shaw’s final screen appearance before his untimely passing from a heart attack. Reflecting on his career at the time, he said: “I’m seriously thinking that this might be my last film. I no longer have anything real to say. I’m appalled at some of the lines. I’m not at ease in film. I can’t remember the last film I enjoyed making.”

Nevertheless, Force 10 From Navarone has enjoyed a critical reassessment over the years, currently holding a 68 per cent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One critic said: “Harrison Ford displays good command as a military leader. … a good picture that is filled with a number of explosive action set-pieces.”

Another fan added: “A guilty pleasure to be sure, but Ford is great and Robert Shaw’s final speech is irresistible.”

A third viewer noted: “Despite its chilly reception from both critics and audiences – and while it’s certainly no classic like its excellent predecessor – Force 10 from Navarone works as an undemanding action film bolstered by an aptly chosen cast.”

The film has also garnered a staunch defence from its admirers. One fan said: “Cannot believe this movie isn’t rated much higher. I saw this at an Army base theatre. The theatre was packed, and the scene where Ford and Shaw are deciding how long to set the fuse to blow the damn inspired a STANDING OVATION.”

Another viewer wrote: “An underrated film with soldiers flying into enemy territory during World War 2 with multiple missions such as killing a spy, team up with the Russians, and destroy a bridge before it falls into enemy hands.”

Meanwhile, a third added: “This is one of my favourite WWII movies of all time. An all-star cast with Robert Shaw in one of the last films before he died, Harrison Ford right after Star Wars, and a Barbara Bach nude scene. Plus lots of explosions. What more could you ask for?”.

Force 10 From Navarone airs on ITV4 at 7.25pm on December 31.

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