Customer Reviews

The Wild Geese (30th Anniversary Edition)

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Let's be honest....this movie is basically a "Boys Own" action adventure straight out of the fertile imagination of a 16 year old English schoolboy....but, gee it's so much fun to watch !!

According to producer Euan Lloyd, who had worked on the star spangled war film "The Guns Of Navarone" (penned by novelist Alistair McLean), Lloyd was seeking out a similar tale featuring several strong male leads that he could turn into an international blockbuster. An acquaintance of Lloyd working in in Rhodesia in the mid 1960's, met up with then unpublished novelist Daniel Carney, and heard about his manuscript concerning mercenaries seeking to rescue an imprisoned president from a military prison. Lloyd leapt at securing the rights for the intense manuscript, got Carney a publishing deal for his book, and set about getting the story onto the screen.

( The name "the wild geese" is taken from a literary term applied to Irish mercenaries initially operating during the late 17th century )

Lloyd secured his four strong male leads (Burton, Harris, Moore & Kruger) and the casting is as follows...Richard Burton plays ageing mercenary leader, Col. Alan Faulkner recruited by the unscrupulous, money hungry banker Sir Edward Matherson (Stewart Granger at his evil best) to rescue an imprisoned African leader, Julius Limbani (Winston Ntshona), from local terrorists. Limbani is a key figure in African politics and at stake are copper mine concessions worth millions. Burton recruits old war buddy Rafer Janders (Richard Harris), pilot extraordinaire Shawn Fynn (Roger Moore) ex-South African mercenary Peter Coetzee (Hardy Kruger), and 'tough as nails' Regimental Sergeant Major Sandy Young (Jack Watson) and most of their old war comrades for one last crusade for truth, justice and a very large paycheck !

The plan is simple enough...parachute 50 men in at night, steal Limbani from his captors, and rendevous for a pick up. However, events go horribly wrong and soon the mercenary group are running for their lives, outgunned and outmanned by the brutal, machete wielding Simba guards.

Carney's original manuscript was loosely inspired by Colonel "Mad Mike" Hoare's mercenary crew "5 Commando", and their incredible adventures controlling tribal violence and rescuing Westerners in the Belgian Congo during the early 1960's....(you can buy Mike Hoare's thrilling books right here on Amazon.)...and Hoare actually consulted as the military/technical advisor for the film !. "The Wild Geese" never lets up once the action gets going and is full of gritty firefights and never say die heroics. Additionaly, the film is full of witty dialogue, guaranteed to make you smirk, such as when RSM Sandy Young addresses the massed troops on the parade ground for the first time "Some of you know me already. Those of you who don't are in for a great big f**king surprise". Or when the fiery Irish priest Father Geoghagen calls out to the mercenaries "Good luck to you godless murderer's", to which Roger Moore drolly replies "That's as moving a benediction as I've ever heard".

Finally, "The Wild Geese" is out on DVD in Region 1, with a remastered print in Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, two accompanying featurettes on the making of the film, plus a documentary on producer Euan Lloyd. Another highlight is the audio commentary from producer Euan Lloyd, second unit director John Glen, journalist Jonathon Sothcott and "Wild Geese" lead actor Sir Roger Moore, and a newsreel from the original UK charity premiere. ( Although, it bugs me that this edition is released as a 30th Anniversary Edition, however the true 30th Anniversary of the film is not until 2008 ! ) Never mind, "The Wild Geese" is highly recommended viewing !

This is THE "mercenary movie," from the book by David Carney (which sold like coldcakes). Inspired by true events, and featuring locations in southern Africa, the film featured technical advice by members of the original "Wild Geese" who fought against Congolese rebels in the early 1960s.

The story is rooted in the rumor that Moise Tshombe had not been killed following the uprising, but instead kept alive as a political pawn.

In Carney's story, African leader Julius Limbani was reported to have been killed by the Idi-Amin-style strongman who ousted him, but instead was "put on ice" in another country. This other country then realizes the leverage they hold, as the specter of a "resurrected" Limbani would destroy the usurper's government. The strongman then decides to bring Limbani back for execution.

Meanwhile, a British banker has hired mercenary Colonel Alan Faulkner (Sir Richard Burton) to rescue Limbani, to get mining concessions in his country. Faulkner, an "out of work drunk," then gathers his former officers, Sean Finn (Roger Moore) and Rafer Janders (Richard Harris) and some of his old unit together to do the job. Finn then recruits a former South African ranger (Hardy Kruger) who is vital to the plan's success, but not pleased with the mission -- he is only there so that he can get back home from England ("You don't realize this is an island, until you try to get off of it!").

The problem with being paid to risk your life, though, is that the people paying you only see you as an expendable asset . . .

This film was so much fun to make that most of the same crew got together again to do "The Sea Wolves," about the last battle of the Calcutta Light Horse in WWII, which is also on the Recommended List.

The Wild Geese is an excellent war movie, with Burton, Moore and Harris at their best. It is set in the bush war of the seventies in the former Rhodesia in Southern Africa (NOT SOUTH AFRICA as the other reviewers thought - there is a huge difference. It's like saying Mexico and the USA are the same place!)

Anyway, it's an interessting,action packed look at the bush war in and the mercenaries involved and a must have for any serious collector of classic movies.

Made in 1978 and based on Daniel Carney's cynical and rather bleak novel, this film stands as one of the 1970's great unsung action adventure films.

Concerning a small band of mercenary brothers attempting to rescue an African leader, THE WILD GEESE was all but unseen in the states until the advent of home video where it gained a well deserved and loyal cult following amoung action adventure aficionados.

The film isn't perfect by any stretch. The dialouge, written by Reginald Rose is often laughably cliched. Director Andrew V McLaglen doesn't really know how to stage dialouge scenes and the result is some very stilted moments. Some of the minor parts are filled with grossly incompetent actors. There are obvious "sacrificial lamb" telegraphing plot points. The film also doesn't really know what tone it wishes to set- is it a straight up adventure in the vein of GUNGA DIN or does it want to be taken seriously (several clumsy attempts at humour hint at parody)as a political tome? Does it overly romanticize the mercenary profession? It does often come off as a "boy's own" comic book.

But the film boasts several fine points. At the core of the film is a very progressive (for 1977 when the film was shot) message slamming apartheid as well as hinting that pure pan-Africanism isn't the answer alone either. The film was indeed shot in South Africa using many black cast and crew members (hired from South Africa!)and therefore possesses superb location work as well as local flavor not found on a back lot. The action is swift, well staged, brutal and plentiful, due in no small part to the excellent contributions of technical advising of real-life mercenaries.

Leading actors Burton, Harris, Kruger and even Moore deliver fine performances. Supporting cast members Jack Watson, Ronald Fraser and Kenneth Griffith as well as Winston Ntshona deliver fascinating character studies (I only wish the dialouge was stronger). It is obvious that the actors did have a rollicking time making the film as the film resounds with sheer machismo that literally bolts off the screen. These actors do indeed share a rare chemsitry.

The film withstands multiple viewings as it is extremely well-paced (due to the superb editing of John Glen)and, as noted before- the main cast is constructed of fascinating personalities. I saw it during its initial release and still love to view it at least once a year-sometimes two or three.

Now that it is finally released on DVD here in the States, THE WILD GEESE is a must own for any serious action adventure fan.

The WILD GEESE demonstrated, unequivocally, that Officers are indeed GENTLEMEN. These men (Richard Burton, Roger Moore, Richard Harris, Hardy Krooger, etc,) are extra-ordinary mercenaries, they have scruple. These bunch would not do just anything for money, they are on the side of good, and goodness saw them through all the dangers they faced in the jungle of South Africa when they were abandoned. It is not just a war about killing, but of killing evil dead in all its forms. There are many real life issues that touched the heart, and are so very well dramatized that every scene arrests a viewers attention. This movie has every emotion in it, humour, actions,espirit de corps, sorrow, losses, recovery of humanity and new understandings, etc. It started with Roger Moore refusing to be a cocaine pusher, to Richard Harris failing to fulfill his promises of a wonderful Christmas holiday to his only son because of a heart wrenching tragic event, to Hardy Krooger (a black hating South African)finding a new understanding of humanity and friendship in the black president Limbani they went to rescue. It ended by paying treachery in its own coin. Just when the doer proclaimed peace a sudden distruction landed on him. A clear lesson for discerning minds. It is a movie I have watched over and again many years ago, and still long to see it again. BRING IT OUT AGAIN, and "Shout at the Devil".Many would love it for Christmas. I am hoping it would come out in DVD version suitable for the USA viewers.

This is one of the best made and realistic mercenary action adventure movies ever made. The film depicts how it happens in the real world how mercenaries are hired to go on a mission but are then left out to dry after a deal is struck between the adversaries. They then have to improvise their way out from deep within enemy territory and they even have room for honor and idealism and payback. It reminds me of a modern version of the Magnificent Seven with similar star power with Richard Burton, Richard Harris, Roger Moore and other good actors better known in the UK. I just wish it was available on video again. I would certainly purchase it and so would many other fans of quality action adventure.

This is without doubt an awsesome film and ranks with my other four favorite war films namely Zulu, The Eagle has Landed, Where Eagles Dare and The Sea Wolves. In my mind there is everything in this movie that all War/Action Adventure fans could ever want and more. For me the thing that stands out more than anything else is how earthy the movie is. It really captures the down to earth attitudes of the mercenaries. It's solidity is total throughout the entire movie. I have watched this movie time and time again and then some and never tire of it. As an Independent Film and Television Producer I had the great fortune to be able to speak to the Director of this movie The legendary Andrew V. McLaglen on the telepnone at his house in washington U.S. Andrew also directed another of my favorite movies called the Sea wolves. We talked at great length about The Wild Geese and especially my movie hero Roger Moore and when I said goodbye to Andrew and put down the phone I was as high as a kite, and it just confirmed why I love being in this Film/TV industry period. Andrew was a true gent to talk to but please dont try to phone him to ask him questions as my call was Film/TV business related. Finally I like everyone else it would seem can't wait for an excellent version of this on DVD, so please release it soon. Incidentally, VHS versions of this movie are available to buy here in England (UK) If anyone wants information just e-mail me. Regards Charlie.

This a fine adaptation of Daniel Carney's novel the wild geese and one of the best combat films of all time

Burton (Faulkener), harris (Janders) , Moore (Fynn) and Kruger (Coetzee) are excellent as a group of mercenary officers retained by a ruthless merchant banker Matherson (the devilish stewart granger) who wants to exert influence over a central african dictator (N'Dofa) in copper mining concession negotiations by snatching that dictators most important political prisoner (Limbani) from under his nose.

Cue the mercenaries to organise a group of 50 of their old comrades for the snatch and one last shot at honour, glory and money (thay are mercenaries after all)

What follows is high paced tale action, betrayal, improvisation and revenge.

It's almost enought to make you to want to become a mercenary!

Where is the DVD

The Wild Geese is the story of a band of mercenaries who are hired to rescue an African leader. They bring off the daring rescue only to find themselves betrayed by their employer and forced to try and escape from a hostile country. It is an excellent little action picture but it is more than that.

By definition, "mercenary" conjures up images of hard men who are in it only for the money. That is the case with some of these characters but there are other, more complex reasons as well. Particularly edifying in this film is the running argument between the rescued black African president and a white South African mercenary officer. While he is a racist, he is not the completely evil character one would expect.

Richard Burton and Richard Harris play the two main leaders. The former is pure mercenary in it only for the money and the latter is an idealist. This makes for an uncomfortable relationship between best friends. Roger Moore and Hardy Kruger play the other two officers and Stewart Granger plays the evil villain.

This one works as a pure action flick but it also works well as a piece to make you think.

I am truly a fan of great films and this is arguably my favorite. The synopsis has been given in previous reviews here so I will avoid a lengthy description...this is probably the best mercenery film made to date, and films like "Tears of the Sun" pale outlandishly in comparison. I encourage all to sign up on the waiting list to hopefully persuade the studio to release this on DVD. Hard to believe ALL the second rate sequels, which star none of the original cast, are readily available on either DVD or at least VHS and it is next to impossible to find a good used copy of this, which has been out of print for some time. My VHS copy is getting worn and I feverishly await the DVD release!!