Tags
1970's, Action, Adventure, Andrew V. McLaglen, Hardy Krüger, Jack Watson, Richard Burton, Richard Harris, Roger Moore, Stewart Granger, The Wild Geese, War, Winston Ntshona
An action- adventure / war movie with a stellar cast of acting veterans, The Wild Geese has something of a grown up Boy’s Own feel to it. While it has the action going for it, it also surprisingly has a bit more depth than one would expect from this kind of film.
Mercenary and former British Army Colonel Allen Faulkner( Richard Burton) is contacted by secretive merchant banker in England, Sir Edward Matheson (Stewart Granger). He wants Faulkner’s expertise in dangerous missions and this one is definitely that. The mission is to rescue Julius Limbani(Winston Ntshona) ; the deposed popular leader of an African who is currently imprisoned by the current and ruthless Prime Minister. Limbani is being held in a secure prison in Zembala, and Matheson wants Faulkner and others to spring him from impending execution. Faulkner agrees, settling fee and sets about getting a team ready for this undertaking . He assembles fifty mercenaries to undertake this dangerous mission, many who he has worked with in the past. Among these are Rafer Janders(Richard Harris), who is considering stopping his line of work to settle down and care for his young son, plane expert Shawn Fynn (Roger Moore), weapons supplier and crack shot Pieter Coetzee( Hardy Krüger) and former Regimental Sergeant Major Sandy Young( Jack Watson) . After a bit of training, the men are slowly getting more into the grip of things . Yet the date for the operation is moved to a closer time than originally planned, throwing things into a bit of a spin. Despite the fact the unit hasn’t had nearly enough training and the day of the operation moved forward, it goes reasonably well for them at first . That is until then group are supposed to be collected by plane. The plane in question takes off without the regiment . It transpires that the sly, underhand Matheson did a deal with the enemy to further his investment in the country’s copper produce . This leaves Faulkner and the men stranded in dangerous terrain. Now without backup, Faulkner must lead the men and injured president to some form of safety. Trouble is the enemy is closing in and with great numbers that outweigh the group.
Andrew V. McLaglen is an ace choice of director for how he stages the action sequences. Plus, he doesn’t let the action just become the main focus; he gets into the various dramas at play in a dangerous time. Standout sequences include the crew jumping from the plane into enemy terrain as night falls and the trek through the jungles, not to mention the climactic race to escape. As previously stated, The Wild Geese had a bit more depth than I initially expected from an action film. I had expectations of it just being action-adventure/war, but was pleasantly surprised that it had a bit more going for it than just those ingredients. Plus the build up to the action is well played and at least gives us a chance to connect with the characters. It has to be said, like with any movie of a certain age, various parts have dated badly particularly in some attitudes and dialogue. Though saying this the subplot of the racist Boer Coatzee learning to understand and gradually respect the injured President Limbani he is carrying through danger , is handled with more gravitas than I expected. The score has some very nice flourishes, especially during the tense and nail-biting sequences. Other times it goes a little overboard, but is largely acceptable and has a rousing quality when it needs to. Special mention must go to the moving Flight of the Wild Geese (performed with soul by Joan Armatrading) which is displayed over a striking title sequence of social unrest and clashes by Bond alumni Maurice Binder.
Richard Burton is on commanding form as the smart, shrewd and leader of the operation. Authoritative wit and quick thinking are the main ingredients for Burton as a man who may be a mercenary, but still has morals underneath his stoic nature. And he certainly delivers . Richard Harris is also extremely memorable as the tactician; investing the part with a palpable world-weariness , toughness and underlying vulnerability. Roger Moore has charm to burn as usual, but it’s a blast to see him be more ruthless than we are used to witnessing him. Take for instance his introduction in which he confronts a contact of his who didn’t tell him he was pushing heroin. He then makes the man eat his whole supply as poetic justice for a girl who died from overdosing. He’s not messing about and Moore sells both the skills and principals of this man. Hardy Krüger gets probably the most interesting arc as a bigoted weapons expert who wants the job over so he can return home. Along the way, his world view is changed as he’s forced to confront his racist attitudes and learn to understand the man they are rescuing. Krüger does a great job of playing a character who is often tough and rugged, but wounded and misguided in attitude underneath all of it. Jack Watson provides both humour and gravity as the Sergeant Major brought out of retirement as he believes being a mercenary is the only job he’s good at. He manages to make a strong impression throughout and is highly likeable, especially when training the past their prime crew. Considering that for most of The Wild Geese he’s injured and in very real danger, Winston Ntshona manages to bring out dignity as he makes very pertinent points about how mankind will always look for an enemy, often unexpectedly. Portraying upper class sleaze and underhand tactics, Stewart Granger excels at making you really despise the slippery character he’s playing.
So all in all, The Wild Geese is an entertaining action adventure film with a cracking cast. With unexpected depth at times, a good run of tension and action, This review is in memory of my late grandfather. He always told me it was a favourite of his. I watched it to honour him and his memory. Here’s to you Grandad.