The Wild Geese (30th Anniversary Edition)
by Andrew V. McLaglen
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Hardy Kr?ger, Richard Burton, Richard Harris, Roger Moore, Stewart GrangerDirector: Andrew V. McLaglen
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Color, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 130 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-09-27
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Tango Entertainment
Movie Reviews of The Wild Geese (30th Anniversary Edition)
Movie Review: Great Action...Interesting History
Summary: 5 Stars
The Wild Geese is a well made action yarn directed by Andrew McLaglen, son of the well known character actor Victor McLaglen. It is based on a novel of the same name and stars four big name stars of the day, 1970's, Richard Burton, Richard Harris, Roger Moore, and Hardy Kruger. It has a great supporting case, mostly British and South African, most notably Stewart Granger and Winston Ntshona. Filmed entirely in northern Transvaal, South Africa, the story is loosely based on events in the Congo, now Zaire, in the 1960's. Simply the rightful leader of an African country, held prisoner for many years, is rescued by a group of 50 or so mercenaries, recruited in the UK. But, things change quickly in Africa and now the mercenaries and the person they are rescuing are abandoned by the money boys back in Europe. I find the film interesting on many accounts, most notably I remember when mercenaries from all over the world were running up and down Africa fighting for both good and bad. The location backdrop is fascinating and overall the story is just a good yarn. The film makes reference to Rhodesia, which at that time was an outlaw state. (But, when one thinks of the thugs running Zimbabwe today I guess "outlaw" is a relative term.) It was about this time that many countries in the west passed domestic laws against their own citizens pursuing a career in the mercenary business. The time of the out in the open Soldier of Fortune is long past, but one suspects it probably still goes on. This film is loosely based on the life of Colonel "Mad" Mike Hoare, whose little band of men once tried to take over the Seychelle Islands back in the 1970's. In fact Mad Mike was technical advisor on this film. Also, this was the time of the Angola Civil War and one of the outcomes of that conflict was the trial of mercenaries who had fought on the losing side. The Wild Geese will give you a good introduction into that time in history. The film was made at the end of Richard Burton's life and his acting is much more relaxed and a joy to watch. If the film has a fault it is the 60ish Richard Harris acting like he is 18. The 30th Anniversary edition of The Wild Geese contains interesting extras. A documentary about the producer and one about the making of the film, as well as some factual background information on Moise Tshombe whose real life story inspired the book on which this film is based. This one is a recommended buy.
Summary of The Wild Geese (30th Anniversary Edition)
Mixing action, humor, sentiment, and even a few righteous moral convictions, The Wild Geese is good, rousing fun. Released theatrically in 1978 (oddly, this 2005 DVD release is referred to as the "30th Anniversary Edition"), director Andrew V. McLaglen's film depicts the adventures of a group of British mercenaries hired by a shady multinational corporation to free the benevolent leader of an African nation held captive by a ruthless dictator. Led by the caustic, no-nonsense Col. Allen Faulkner (Richard Burton), these soldiers of fortune are all stout fellows out to earn a big payday and restore a good man to his rightful place of power (the underlying message of universal racial brotherhood is effective, if somewhat simplistic), and they do their job swiftly and efficiently... at least until they're double-crossed by their venal, perfidious employers, at which point the film becomes a tale of survival and revenge. The cast, which also includes Richard Harris, Roger Moore, and a host of other fine veteran actors, is first-rate, the story-telling efficient, the dialogue entertaining (with occasional bursts of profanity), and the action reasonably exciting and not overly graphic. And even if the pace is somewhat leisurely by new millennium standards (we're nearly an hour into it before the actual mission starts), The Wild Geese is a very enjoyable ride. Bonus features include a profile of producer Euan Lloyd and commentary by Lloyd, Moore, and journalist Jonathan Sothcott. --Sam GrahamAction & Adventure DVD Video
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