(aka 'The Great Spy Mission' or 'Code Name: Operation Crossbow ')

Directed by Michael Anderson
UK 1965

 

  A crack squad of commandos plot to put a Nazi missile base out of action, in an overcomplex manner which would have warmed the hearts of Peter Graves and Bain - whose impossible missions may have been gently plagiarized from this movie. Peppard and Loren are the glamorous conspirators, and the script is by Pressburger, writing under a pseudonym. The film's most invigorating quality is that when its heroes infiltrate the German base, they are actually forced to speak German - as when Michael Caine does this sort of thing, bang on in a cockney accent with 'achtung' at the beginning of every sentence.

Excerpt by Channel Four located HERE

Commandos contrive to destroy Nazi missiles in this 1965 British feature directed by Michael Anderson, from a screenplay by Derry Quinn, Ray Rigby, and Emeric Pressburger (writing under the name Richard Imrie).

Excerpt from The Chicago Reader located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: March 1965

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DVD Review: Warner - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC

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Distribution Warner Home Video - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC
Runtime 1:56:12 
Video 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.97 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate:

Audio English (Dolby Digital 5.1), DUB: French (Dolby Digital 2.0) 
Subtitles English, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Warner Home Video

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 2.35:1

Edition Details:

• Vintage featurette: "A Look Back at Crossbow"
• Theatrical trailer

DVD Release Date: December 19th, 2006

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Chapters: ?

 

 

Comments:

Exceptionally strong image from Warner with some minor speckles as the only negative. The anamorphic and progressive cinemascope ratio looks very impressive. There is a 5.1 track and an optional 2.0 French DUB. The 5.1 sounded darn good although I'll admit I am never the best judge. 

Extras include a 9 minute vintage featurette - 'A Look Back and Crossbow' - it held my interest and from a historical standpoint shares some decent information. A trailer is also included. Another fairly good film adeptly transferred to DVD by Warner - certainly worth a spin or two. Recommended! 

Gary W. Tooze

 

 



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DVD Box Cover

   

CLICK to order from:

Distribution Warner Home Video - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC




 

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