wes-connors
The Nazis are developing long-range rockets. Their "flying bomb" could win World War II for the Axis powers. As you might expect, the British are miffed. They send American military engineer George Peppard (as John Curtis) along with Jeremy Kemp (as Phil Bradley) and Tom Courtenay (as Robert Henshaw) over to infiltrate and destroy the German underground factory from the inside. The trio pose as dead men and arrive via parachute. There are some problems with their impersonations...Michael Anderson skillfully directs this spy drama. The story does seem cluttered, which is not helped by a distinguished cast, all requiring their moments. The plot requires concentration. Peppard is the star, but something doesn't seem quite right in his portrayal. His character often appears to be lacking in determination - this is somewhat remedied by the script and some closing action...Everyone else is the cast is supporting Peppard, including top-billed Sophia Loren (as Nora). Her husband Carlo Ponti produced "Operation Crossbow" and Ms. Loren is an attractive addition to the cast. An incredibly beautiful woman who can also act, Loren dominates her section of the film. Marvelously holding her own during the Loren sequence is helpful maid Lilli Palmer (as Frieda). Of those orchestrating the mission, Richard Johnson (as Duncan Sandys) plays a good part.****** Operation Crossbow (4/1/65) Michael Anderson ~ George Peppard, Jeremy Kemp, Sophia Loren, Tom Courtenay
Neil Doyle
A good line-up of actors from the '60s makes OPERATION CROSSBOW worth your time and attention--although it has plenty of moments when certain scenes seem to drag. But GEORGE PEPPARD, SOPHIA LOREN, JEREMY KEMP, TOM COURTENAY, JOHN MILLS, RICHARD TODD, PAUL HENREID and HELMUT DANTINE all lend their presence to a tightly knit espionage yarn, handsomely photographed in vivid color.I'll have to watch this one on a repeat showing because of a conflict of schedule which didn't permit me to see the final scene, but I can tell you that it's done in the style of all those "mission" films from the '60s where it's necessary to assign spies to pose as Germans in order to infiltrate what's going on in a munitions factory where the latest weapons are being developed.Worthwhile if you enjoy WWII adventures done up in typical Hollywood style with a good cast. LILI PALMER makes the most of a small role, as do most of the performers in the cast under Michael Anderson's direction.
vitaleralphlouis
OPERATION CROSSBOW was a box office disaster, possibly because of the dreadful title as well as a trailer that makes the film look awful; BUT...The film itself is a way-above-average WW II story --- brilliantly directed, well acted, lavishly produced, with a cast of over a dozen stars. The on-location filming in Europe, in wide screen color, is another big plus.The story involves the German development of missile bombs as well as the V-2 rockets that devastated London in the early part of the war (before American involvement). This is the story of the intelligence agents assigned to infiltrate the manufacturing plant for these new high-tech weapons, carefully protected by 80 feet of rock in the German Alps. Very fine movie. Not one dull minute. Nuff said!
bensonmum2
Operation Crossbow is a solid espionage thriller set in WWII. The plot concerns the British/Allies attempt to get saboteurs inside German rocket facilities. The British have taken huge hits from the V1 and the other Allies rightly fear the more deadly V2. Three candidates are selected, given credentials allowing them to pose as Dutch engineers, and sent off to infiltrate and help destroy the Reich's most secret weapons development program.Not being a WWII scholar, I'm not sure how historically accurate Operation Crossbow really is. But really, who cares? Operation Crossbow was never meant to be a scholarly work – it's a piece of fluff entertainment. And for the most part, it succeeds at being entertaining. While the movie may get off to a slow start, the action and suspense of the third act make up for most all of the films perceived shortcomings. The film's finale in an underground Nazi rocket facility is very reminiscent of James Bond and just as thrilling. And even if the movie does get off to a slow start, I found the bits about Nazi test pilot Hannah Reitsch interesting. Most of the cast is excellent. With few exceptions, George Peppard and the rest of the cast turn in fine performances. There are some nice special effects sequences worth mentioning. In particular, the bombing of London was very well handled. The only significant complaints I can come up with involve Trevor Howard and Sophia Loren. Howard's not necessarily bad in his role, but his character, the eternally pessimistic Professor Lindemann, is so annoying I wanted to wring his neck each time he popped-up on screen. As for Sophia Loren, she's a wonderful actress and I enjoy most of her work, but in all honestly, Operation Crossbow would have been a tighter, more enjoyable movie without her. Her character brings ZERO to the movie and her scenes are not important to what came before or what comes after. Her screen time is limited to 15 or 20 minutes that only serve to kill the film's flow. She may get top billing, but that's for her name only. Still, even with these flaws, I've always enjoyed Operation Crossbow and can easily rate it a 7/10.
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