The Sea Wolves (1980)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Andrew V. McLaglen

Writers:

James Leasor (book)
Reginald Rose (screenplay)

Release Date:

5 June 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Action | War

Tagline:

The Last Charge of the Calcutta Light Horse

Plot:

A true WW2 story: the British must attack a German ship but it's safe in neutral Goa. So they send civilians, ex-soldiers about 60 years old.

Plot Keywords:

Nazi | WWII | British Intelligence | Submarine | Spy

Cast

Gregory Peck	...	Col. Lewis Pugh
Roger Moore	...	Capt. Gavin Stewart
David Niven	...	Col. W.H. Grice
Trevor Howard	...	Jack Cartwright
Barbara Kellerman	...	Mrs. Cromwell
Patrick Macnee	...	Major 'Yogi' Crossley
Kenneth Griffith	...	Charlie Wilton
Patrick Allen	...	Colin Mackenzie
Wolf Kahler	...	Trompeta
Robert Hoffmann	...	U-Boat Captain
Dan van Husen	...	U-Boat First Officer
George Mikell	...	Captain of Ehrenfels
Jürgen Andersen	...	First Officer of Ehrenfels (as Jurgen Anderson)
Bernard Archard	...	Underhill
Martin Benson	...	Mr. Montero

Also Known As:

The Sea Wolves: The Last Charge of the Calcutta Light Horse (UK) (complete title)

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

Switzerland | UK | USA

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:PG | USA:PG (certificate #26016) | Iceland:14 | Germany:12 | Singapore:PG | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Germany

Company:

Lorimar Productions

Trivia:

The last feature film of Jack Watson.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Amongst the vehicles the team uses at Goa is a grey Hillman Minx of a type not marketed until at least 1953.

Quotes:

[Stewart has just broken Gupta's neck]
Mrs. Cromwell: You've killed him!
Capt. Gavin Stewart: Yes, he was going to kill me. And you. Things like that tend to make me impulsive.

Soundtrack:

THE PRECIOUS MOMENTS

Classy film-making -- unlike much of today's stuff!

THE SEA WOLVES is a fabulous adventure, based upon the true story of The Calcutta Light Horse, retired British veterans of the Boer War who are called upon to perform a secret mission in India during World War II. (The main historical source is the book, "Boarding Party," by James Leasor.) A witty, well-structured script by Reginald Rose and solid direction by Andrew V. McLaglen make this a good old-fashioned filmgoing experience. (Both were also responsible, along with producer Euan Lloyd, for the excellent THE WILD GEESE.)

The film moves along well, graced by a distinguished cast: Gregory Peck, Roger Moore, Trevor Howard, Patrick Macnee and, in his last major role, the ever-suave David Niven. You'll cheer for the gallery of British supporting players who, fighting age and seasickness, struggle to get in shape for this "last charge" -- patriots whose desire to serve one more time pulls them away from their comfortable world of polo, cricket, and drinks at the club. They face a worthy adversary in Barbara Kellermann.

Perhaps one may quibble with the uneven quality of Peck's British accent, but his customarily dignified presence makes up for it. Moore is rather Bondish here -- the womanizer of the group -- but ironically, more impressive than in his 007 films. (True Bondophiles will notice several 007 veterans among the crew, including editor John Glen, title artist Maurice Binder, and Matt Monro, who sings the closing theme.)

McLaglen makes excellent use of the Indian locations, mainly Goa and Delhi, as he builds his story to an exciting climax. (The perpetrators of OCTOPUSSY should have taken lessons from this film.) The result is a truly classy adventure, without the high-tech noise and hot air of so many films.

NOTE: The Sea Wolves should have shot those responsible for the dim-witted advertising campaign, reproduced on both the VHS and DVD boxes! It is a MAD Magazine-type caricature which would lead anyone to believe that the film is a slapstick comedy.