The Wild Geese (1978)

A British banker hires a group of British mercenaries to rescue a deposed African President from the hands of a corrupt African dictator.

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	...	Colonel Allen Faulkner
Roger Moore	...	Lt. Shawn Fynn
Richard Harris	...	Capt. Rafer Janders
Hardy Krüger	...	Lt. Pieter Coetzee (as Hardy Kruger)
Stewart Granger	...	Sir Edward Matherson
Winston Ntshona	...	President Julius Limbani
John Kani	...	Sgt. Jesse Link
Jack Watson	...	R.S.M. Sandy Young
Frank Finlay	...	Father Geoghagen
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.

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Plot Keywords:

bird | fowl | value | operative | troop | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Thriller | War

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Switzerland UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 November 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

Los gansos salvajes

Filming Locations:

Tshipise, Limpopo, South Africa

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$1,423,104, 31 December 1978

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

The script was based on the novel "The Thin White Line" by Rhodesian Daniel Carney. It was not published until Euan Lloyd had bought the screen rights, and was then renamed "The Wild Geese".

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Goofs

When Faulkner (Richard Burton) is forced to shoot and kill the wounded Janders (Richard Harris), Janders falls on bullet impact to the left of screen, however he is seen dead a few seconds later lying as if he fell to the right.

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Quotes

Medical Orderly Arthur Witty: [defending a retreat against impossible odds] Get yer lovely arses out of here! I'm just holdin' the fort!

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Connections

Referenced in Nocturna (1979)

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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

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.