Customer Reviews

Ffolkes

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This 1980 Roger Moore film shows that he could act outside of his James Bond persona. His role as the as Ffolkes --- leader of a band of private anti-terrorist firm --- is as anti-Bond as anything he has ever done. Anthony Perkin's as the main villain is adequate and sometimes his Norman Bates persona seeps through the facade, but not enough to distract.

This film is all Roger Moore. His woman-bashing, cat-loving, cold-blooded, bearded anti-terrorist expert is one of the better characters I have seen on film. All the traits shown initially in Moore's character should make him unlikable, but in the end his character becomes the most intriguing and likable of the bunch. The scenes concerning the negotiations with the terrorists and the plan to retake the off-shore refineries is handle ably and there's not too much unnecessary plot threads to clutter the story. A very good film and very underappreciated as the years go by

I first saw this movie on British television (under its overseas title of "North Sea Hijack") and it ranks for me personally as my favorite Roger Moore movie. When I learned it was finally going to make its way onto DVD I was ecstatic.
In this fun action-adventure Roger Moore leads a commando team that must come to the rescue of two oil rigs in the North Sea and a Norwegian cargo vessel that have been targeted with booby trapped bombs. Playing very much against type Moore's eccentric character "Ffolkes" doesn't like women and instead enjoys the company of cats.
The supporting cast of this movie is also extraordinary. James Mason plays a naval commander, David Hedison is the executive for the oil company and Anthony Perkins is the head of the terrorists. It is a tense, suspenseful adventure with the occassional light touch of humor and I highly recommend it.

Always a favorite, albiet obscure, film for action lovers, Ffolkes delivers great action with the wit and charm of Roger Moore. Anthony Perkins is spectacular as a psychopath (no suprise here). Rated simply on the merits of content, Ffolkes is a five star film all the way! However, if you're wondering about the massive price differential between the two offered versions of the film, here is some insight. I purchased the less expensive version and recieved what amounted to a terrible quality pirated video. I expect you could get the same quality by setting up the camcorder in front of your TV.

Ffolkes is one of my all-time favorite movies. A while back, I purchased the VHS version and it looked like it was an old bootleg! The picture and audio quality was the worst I had ever seen on an official release! Needless to say, I was very happy to hear that it was going to be released on DVD, and I can imagine that the picture and audio quality will be up to DVD standard. As far as the film goes, it has a great cast and a great mix of drama, action, and humor! In a role which is very different from his James Bond persona, Moore pulls off the grumpy, cat-loving action hero perfectly! Also watch for outstanding performances from the late Anthony Perkins and James Mason. The story revolves around a group terrorists (headed by Anthony Perkins) who hijack a boat in the North sea, and threaten to blow up a couple of oil rigs if the British government do not meet their demands. Ffolkes (played by Roger Moore) is brought in to thwart the hijackers' plans. The story is a unique twist on the terrorist/hostage theme which has become so commonplace in recent years, and being made in 1980, this movie can only be viewed as a true original which should not be missed!

A few years ago, I was in a video store renting "Giga Shadow," but when I got home, I discovered they had accidentally switched tapes! I found myself with a copy of "Ffolkes" instead. How lucky I was...Roger Moore is AWESOME. It's really too bad that "Ffolkes" didn't make a bigger impression when it was released. I can only hope that a DVD release will cause people to re-discover what a tremendously cool action movie this is. In the meantime, treat yourself to a great VHS classic! A can't-miss!!!

This movie was a real sleeper and most people have never heard of it -- their loss. I have a copy in VHS (poor quality) and was excited to find it in DVD (and much improved in quality). Roger Moore plays Ffolks, a cat loving, needlepointing misogynist who has assembled a team of anti-terrorist operatives. When a oil platform in the North Sea is held hostage, whom can the British government turn to? Ffolks, of course.
The writing is great, the acting (how can you go wrong with James Mason, Anthony Perkins and Roger Moore?) is believable, and the story is still topical today. Get a copy of the DVD, you won't regret it.

There's very little I can say about "ffolkes" that hasn't been said before (and better) by others, but I'll try my best.

In a complete departure from Bond, Moore portrays Lord ffolkes, an arrogant, eccentric, chauvenistic diver who leads a crack mercenary commando diving team in the employment of Lloyd's of London. Opposite him is Anthony Perkins as Kramer, one of the most dementedly amoral villains I've ever seen on film. Both actors give spectacular, over-the-top performances, which may seem corny and unbelievable if not for the larger-than-life aspect of the film.

People who grew up reading Action Force in Marvel's "Battle" magazine will find a lot of similar qualities among the plot and dialog of "ffolkes." It's hard for me to pin down a word to describe that styling, unfortunately..

Overall, this is a classic suspense-thriller, not too tense but not too predictable, with satisfyingly intense (yet relatively bloodless) action sequences.

The only downside is that "ffolkes" never spun off into a post-Bond franchise for Mr. Moore..

This is one of my all-time favorite action movies, and given the amount of questionnable product that has been announced for DVD release, it's dissapointing that no DVD release has yet been announced. The movie combines a complex and intelligent plot with great acting from Moore, Mason and Perkins. Moore plays against type, playing a crusty chauvanistic commanndo leader. I would heartily recommend this thriller. Now, if only amazon would give us the opportinity to vote for this movie on DVD.

"ffolkes" is an under appreciated and little known film starring, then current James Bond, Roger Moore. For those critics that always felt that Moore was only a "tailor's dummy" standing in for Sean Connery, this script proved that Moore could indeed give a convincing performance as someone other than James Bond or Simon Templer.

Just as much as the "Tailor of Panama" was a departure from Bond for Pierce Brosnan, "ffolkes" provided just such a vehicle for Moore. While the distributing company advertised the movie as a 007-style, action adventure piece, it really is more of a hostage drama and showcase for the remarkable character that is Rufus Excaliber ffolkes. To say that Moore makes a believable misogynist and all-around grump is an understatement, yet Moore fashions a very likable and sympathetic character who is entertaining to watch in action. Whether ffolkes demands to speak directly with the Prime Minister (stating that ..."she seems to have some grasp of the situation") or comments that he has never taken "10 minutes" to complete a Sunday Times crossword puzzle, the movie offers some great moments. It is a shame that "ffolkes" (also known as "Assault Force" and "North Sea Hijack") did not really find an audience and offer Moore a chance to reprise this role. Anthony Perkins makes nasty villain, who has some good lines of his own (such as stating to the chief British Government negotiator that the admiral makes it sound as though the "ransom is coming from his and the Queen's joint bank account.").

I am grateful that this movie, one of my favorites, is finally available on DVD and hope that people will find it enjoyable and discover that Roger Moore can really act.

This has long been a favorite of mine, and I am thrilled to see it on DVD. A totally opposite, non-Bond role for Roger Moore, he plays it to the hilt. Anthony Perkins is also very good.