The Wild Geese (1978)

Director:

Andrew V. McLaglen

Writers:

Daniel Carney (novel)
Reginald Rose (screenplay)

Release Date:

11 November 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Action | War | Adventure

Tagline:

The Dogs of War. The Best D*** Mercenaries in the Business!

Plot:

A British multinational seeks to overthrow a vicious dictator in central Africa. It hires a band of...

Plot Keywords:

Mercenary | Africa | Rescue | Escape | Airfield

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Richard Burton	...	Col. Allen Faulkner
Roger Moore	...	Lt. Shawn Fynn
Richard Harris	...	Capt. Rafer Janders
Hardy Krüger	...	Lt. Pieter Coetze (as Hardy Kruger)
Stewart Granger	...	Sir Edward Matherson
Winston Ntshona	...	Julius Limbani
John Kani	...	Sgt. Jesse Blake
Jack Watson	...	RSM Sandy Young
Frank Finlay	...	Fr. Geoghagen, the Priest
Kenneth Griffith	...	Medical Orderly Arthur Witty
Barry Foster	...	Thomas Balfour
Ronald Fraser	...	Sgt. Jock McTaggart
Ian Yule	...	Sgt. Tosh Donaldson
Patrick Allen	...	Rushton
Rosalind Lloyd	...	Heather

Runtime:

134 min

Country:

UK | Switzerland

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (London premiere print) | Mono

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Australia:M | Finland:K-15 (uncut) (2005) (DVD) | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1989) (video) | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1978) (theatrical) | Iceland:16 | Netherlands:16 (original rating) | Norway:15 | Norway:16 (1978) | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Marble Hill Park, Twickenham, Middlesex, England, UK

Company:

Richmond Productions

Trivia:

The school rugby scenes with Emile (Paul Spurrier), were shot over a period of two days at Marble Hill Park in Twickenham. The schoolboy extras were from Teddington Boys School, a comprehensive school. The badge on the Paul's blazer is that of the school. During the scene several boys were picked to pass ball with Paul. They were picked because they were the shortest and best matched his height.

Quotes:

Faulkner: There is a clause in all of my contracts, that my liver is to be buried separately, and, with honors.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Cinemania (2002)

Soundtrack:

Flight of the Wild Geese

A Rip-Roaring Action / Adventure

Imagine a film with three major stars put together with a good script and some fine action and what do you get: The Wild Geese. With the unlikely combination of Richard Burton, Richard Harris & Roger Moore plus a well-written script coupled with spectacular action sequences this is a rip-roaring action / adventure and a top-notch film.

The three main leads are the main attraction of this film. It's hard to believe that actors of the caliber of Burton, Harris and Moore would either have chemistry or even be in the same film together. But put the three of them together as mercenaries and you get a truly explosive combination of three terrific actors. None of them fail in their roles and they actually share quite a bit of chemistry between them especially in the final scene between Burton and Harris.

The rest of the cast is not a let down either. Harvey Kruger does well in his role as the mercenary Pieter Coetze as do Kenneth Griffith, John Kani and Jack Watson among the other members of the Wild Geese. Frank Finlay, Winston Ntshona and Stewart Granger all make welcomed appearances in the film in their supporting roles.

The film's script is a well-written action film with political overtones. While the politics of the film are dated now, the message for the times is still evident in the film. Outside of the political overtones the dialouge of the film is well-written and in some scenes is even touching especially in the final scene.

The action in the film is another highlight. The air drop into Africa, various raids by the Wild Geese and the final battle at the airstrip complement the story and never overwhelm the story and plot. Thanks to some good editing by editor John Glen (who had edited three Bond films and would go on to direct five more Bond films)the action is never dull and keeps the pace constant.

With a top-notch leading cast, a good supporting cast, a good script and spectacular action sequences, The Wild Geese is one of the better action films you can see. Despite being somewhat dated the film still packs quite a punch and could easily go up against any recent action film. A must see for action film fans.