The Wild Geese (1978)

A British multinational seeks to overthrow a vicious dictator in central Africa. It hires a band of (largely aged) mercenaries in London and sends them in to save the virtuous but ... See full summary »

Director:

Andrew V. McLaglen

Writers:

Reginald Rose (screenplay), Daniel Carney (novel)

Stars:

Richard Burton, Roger Moore, Richard Harris

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Burton	...	Col. Allen Faulkner
Roger Moore	...	Lt. Shawn Fynn
Richard Harris	...	Capt. Rafer Janders
Hardy Krüger	...	Lt. Pieter Coetzee (as Hardy Kruger)
Stewart Granger	...	Matherson / Sir Edward Matherson
Winston Ntshona	...	President Limbani
John Kani	...	Sgt. Blake Jesse
Jack Watson	...	R.S.M. Sandy Young
Frank Finlay	...	Fr. Geoghagen - The Priest
Kenneth Griffith	...	Arthur Witty
Barry Foster	...	Thomas Balfour
Ronald Fraser	...	Jock McTaggart
Ian Yule	...	Tosh Donaldson
Patrick Allen	...	Rushton
Rosalind Lloyd	...	Heather

Storyline

A British multinational seeks to overthrow a vicious dictator in central Africa. It hires a band of (largely aged) mercenaries in London and sends them in to save the virtuous but imprisoned opposition leader who is also critically ill and due for execution. Just when the team has performed a perfect rescue, the multinational does a deal with the vicious dictator leaving the mercenary band to escape under their own steam and exact revenge.

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Plot Keywords:

mercenary | rescue | revenge | escape | mission | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama | Action | War | Adventure

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK Switzerland

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 November 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

Agries hines

Filming Locations:

Tshipise, Northern Transvaal, South Africa

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

SEK 4,765,658 (Sweden)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Richmond Film Productions (West), Victory Films, Varius Entertainment Trading A.G.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

134 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (London premiere print) Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor) (uncredited)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Of the four lead characters Richard Burton, Roger Moore and Richard Harris all use Israeli Uzi submachine-guns and Hardy Krüger has a Belgian FN FAL assault rifle in addition to his crossbow. The RSM carries a Sterling submachine-gun, a standard British infantry weapon of the time whilst Moore, Harris and Burton all use Walther 9mm pistols at some point. Most of the other mercenaries also use FALs and Uzis although at least two have Czech CZ25 and Danish Masden submachine-guns. In the final shootout they also employ heavier weapons looted from the airport such as Bren light-machine guns, FN MAG general purpose machine guns, a Vicker's heavy machine gun and an American made World War Two era 3.5 inch bazooka.

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Goofs

Flynn confronts the mobster over the bad drugs that Flynn has been inadvertently delivering for him, and tells him, "Now down on your knees and eat!" to force him to consume the deadly drugs. As the mobster does this he can be seen saying something, but nothing can be heard.

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Quotes

Faulkner: Jesse, I'm glad to got my wire.
Sgt. Jesse Blake: So am I, sir... it was my breakfast.

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Connections

Referenced in Dog Soldiers (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Sammy's Theme"
"Dance of Death"
Written and Performed by Jerry Donahue & Marc Donahue (as Jerry and Marc Donahue)

User Reviews

The Mercenary and his Employer

Africa has been the background setting for many an exciting film. In this story a powerful, but arrogant English lord and wealthy financier, (Stewart Granger) Sir Edward Matherson, hires, a professional Mecernary, Col. Allen Faulkner, (Richard Burton) to fly into Africa and rescue a popular but imprisoned African leader Julius Limbani. (Winston Ntshona) This action will threaten and force a ruthless, but established dictator to sign over his country's lucrative copper mining rights. To help Faulkner with his dangerous task, he calls on close military friends. Lt. Shawn Fynn, (Roger Moore), Capt. Rafer Janders (Richard Harris) Lt. Pieter Coetze, (Hardy Krüger) and Sagarent Major Sandy Young. (Jack Watson). Together, they plan, organize, train and secretly fly into the heart of enemy country. What they don't know is that Sir Edward Matherson will expect the dreaded and merciless "Simbas" to be more efficient than his hired men. Rarely does a dramatic, action packed film contain a simple subliminal message; that men of war can also be men of conscience seeking common bond and family life. A superb vehicle for Richard Burton. ****