In 1961, Gregory Peck led a star-studded cast in the classic film The Guns of Navarone.
Alongside Peck were renowned actors such as David Niven, Anthony Quinn, Stanley Baker, James Darren, Anthony Quayle, and Richard Harris.
Set during World War II, the movie follows an Allied commando unit on a mission to destroy a German fortress that posed a threat to Allied naval ships in the Aegean Sea.
However, the making of this thrilling adventure came at a significant cost, as several actors suffered severe injuries in near-fatal accidents on set.
During the filming of The Guns of Navarone, special effects were not as advanced as they are today, requiring the actors to perform daring stunts without the aid of CGI.
One particularly intense scene involved a shipwreck, which was shot at Shepperton Studios.
A replica Greek fishing boat, known as a caique, was placed on hydraulics in a massive tank filled with 6000 gallons of water.
As the scene unfolded, the actors were thrown around as hoses sprayed water into airplane engines, which in turn were aimed back at them.
To add to the chaos, tanks were dumped from above while wind machines blasted towards the actors.
This extraordinary sequence resulted in life-threatening situations for both Gregory Peck and David Niven.
Peck found himself swept overboard and narrowly avoided being crushed by the hydraulic mechanisms.
Niven, on the other hand, got his coat caught in the machinery, further endangering his life.
Reports from that time revealed the extent of their injuries: Peck suffered a three-inch gash on his forehead, Quinn and Niven twisted their spines, Baker wrenched his neck, and Darren was knocked unconscious by a wave, nearly drowning in the process.
As if these accidents weren't enough, Niven faced another near-fatal incident.
While filming a scene where his character sets up explosives to destroy the guns, Niven contracted a severe infection through a cut lip exposed to dirty water.
The situation became so dire that production of The Guns of Navarone was at risk of being halted completely.
Niven was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, suffering from septicemia.
In his memoir, he later reflected on the difficult times before antibiotics were widely available.
Director J Lee Thompson recounted the dilemma they faced: either abandon the film or proceed with some crucial scenes involving Niven.
Emergency talks were held, and a studio executive, referred to as “Big Brass” by Niven, was brought in to make the decision.
Niven recalled the executive's concern: “What do we do if the sonofabitch dies?”
Against the doctor's orders, Niven, heavily medicated, returned to work earlier than advisable
