The Wild Geese - Frequent Flyers

Take four topflight movie stars who are not exactly chickens of the spring variety. Get them to headline a British/Swiss funded action-adventure flick about mercenaries on a doomed mission in South Africa. Support them onscreen with a gaggle of familiar British character actors. Throw in heaps of explosions, gunfire, fights, and stereotypes. Shake well and stand back. And voila, you have The Wild Geese, a film that could be well worth a gander. Provided it’s your type of thing. Not sure? Well don’t get down in the mouth over it. Maybe I can help you decide, eider way.
Yeah, I know. I need to work on these intros.
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[@tonybush555]

R.I.P. Hardy Kruger. The last man standing stands no more. All four are now gone. We shall not see their like again.

[@daemonartursson5952]

Fair review of a film ive always enjoyed. And finally a reviewer mentions Joan Armatrading

[@tonybush555]

Thanks for commenting, David. I can't claim to be a big Armatrading fan, but she was a groundbreaking and talented artist who contributed a great theme for the film. Cheers. T.

[@DaveSCameron]

Even if he’s insistent on telling us her choice of bedfellows which has absolutely nothing to do with this upload…. Smh😊

[@stanleyneu]

I saw this in 1978 I was in High school. I went to see it at least 3 times in the theater and have seen it many times since. I also bought the record. I loved the film then and still do. It is an exciting movie. I read the book afterwards and liked it but not as much as the film. It is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. thank you for the review.

[@tonybush555]

Thanks for commenting, Stanley. Appreciated. T.

[@nothingtoseeheremovealong]

I love this film from the first time I watched it with my dad on vhs in the 80s, I’ve never gotten bored of it. Movies like this are rare these days with the star power, the gung-ho action, great film

[@tonybush555]

Agreed. Thank you for commenting, nothingtoseeheremovealong. T.

[@thatguyfromcetialphaV]

Fun fact. The wpman in the black head dress in the casino who Burton makes google eyes at is his wife Suzy, who ditched James Hunt for the boozy Burton.

[@tonybush555]

Now I never spotted that one, bodie of ci5. So thanks for pointing it out. Appreciated.

[@jezzalexander]

It's always one of my go-to movies this one, I never seem to tire of it even after 40 years. Very much enjoyed your vid, nice observations and delivery.

[@tonybush555]

Thanks for commenting, Jezz. The Wild Geese is certainly one I revisit also. Appreciate your input. T.

[@thewickerman4083]

When I was a kid and The Wild Geese was shown on TV I was always allowed to stay up and watch it. It was one of my favourites. It has a great cast and good action sequences. The actor who Roger Moore's character forces to swallow the heroin is David Ladd.. Alan Ladd's son. Enjoying your reviews Tony - really interesting and informative with a great dose of humour throughout.. "What a poncey, little shit" haha.

[@tonybush555]

You have a fine name, The Wickerman, and I thank you for your comments. Much appreciated.

[@invisibleray6987]

LOL Burton glugs that scotch down with 2 hands 🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃

[@thomaschacko6320]

And then he demands “another”!

[@user-bb4on2sm3m]

Feel free with my whisky😂

[@CaminoAir]

These kinds of movies always have posters with a complicated trade-off of which actor's name appears exactly where. Left to right and down to up. Burton's the first, but Harris' higher. William Goldman's 'Adventures In The Screen Trade' mentioned how complex this all gets. I think it was if Steve McQueen had appeared in 'Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid'. The negotiations even suggested having both actors names arranged in a crossed pattern, so neither technically got more advertising prominence. Also, having the names flipped on different days, etc.

[@sunnyclimes4884]

I remember watching this when it first came out and still like it now. The issues didn't bother me then because it was of its time. Next time it's on tv I'll be there. I think it was Barry Foster, not Barry Newman, he was in Vanishing Point and was Petrocelli. Fond memories

[@tonybush555]

Too true. T.

[@leetaylor3099]

Brilliant, and insightful, as always, Tony, topped off with an Adele jibe...love it!!!

[@tonybush555]

Thank you for your comment, Lee. Appreciated.

[@paulmorris2797]

Good review Tony of one of my favourite films!! LOVED the inclusion of Wales's oldest cinema as a Brynmawr boy!! Good work! 🙂

[@tonybush555]

Thanks, Paul. The Market Hall was the venue in which I saw most of the films reviewed on the channel. So it gets mentioned a lot. Appreciate your commenting. T.

[@keithbrown8490]

Saw this in the theaters in 1978 great action/popcorn movie. Check out "The Sea Wolves" and "ffolkes" aka "North Sea Hijack" made a couple years later with almost the same cast of supporting players with Andrew V. McLaglen son of actor Victor McLaglen directing those also.

[@tonybush555]

Thanks for taking the time to comment, Keith. Appreciated. North Sea Hijack covered here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4jZgJmmg6qplbc

[@keithbrown8490]

@@tonybush555 I'll check that out. I also saw "North Sea Hijack" here in the U.S. where they called it "ffolkes" in the theaters. I also remember Roger Moore doing the talk show circuit promo the movie joking about all the different titles it was going under.

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

Given Moore's last name there was probably a distant Irish background . . . .

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

Burton, a former RAF Navigator, played Soldiers well in films.

[@tonybush555]

He had a commanding aura that served him well, John.

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

He did. It might have been the athletic background in rugby or the time in the RAF.@@tonybush555

[@fredjones554]

Nice review

[@tonybush555]

Thanks, Fred. Appreciated. T.

[@ninfilms]

Great review.

[@tonybush555]

Thank you, John. Appreciated.

[@leetaylor3099]

As much as the Moore Bond films are watchable, I always preferred him in his 'other' movies of this time. His characters, performances and dialogue are so much better in Wild Geese, Sea Wolves and especially North Sea Hijack, although, don't tell the woke brigade his character is a misogynist in that one! It's not without humour...but then, they don't really get that anymore, do they?

[@tonybush555]

I love North Sea Hijack, especially the vermillion wetsuit. I feel it may be due a re-watch in the near future. Thanks for your comment. Appreciated

[@hank964]

Saw the Sequel it was not so good but did like Lawrence Oliver portrayal of Rudolph Hess. The director also directed the movie The Seawolves (1980) that star Moore along with Peck and Nevin. Burton was never better then this film. From what I understand Joseph Cotton was supposed to play the Stewart Granger but dropped out in the last minute. Enjoy your KZbin videos always informative

[@tonybush555]

Thanks as always, hank964. Much appreciated.

[@hank964]

@@tonybush555 you're welcome

[@futuregenerationz]

I love Joan Armatrading, but she was a more or less trendy pop artist thus giving the movie it's dated feel, not a soundtrack composer. In a word, what the movie needs is music. A really good composer like a Jerry Goldsmith or John Williams, would've changed this movie completely.

[@tonybush555]

Personally, Ron Goodwin (whose track record included Where Eagles Dare and The Battle Of Britain) would have been my pick. Think he would have been a good fit. Still, what can you do? Thanks for taking the time to comment, futuregenerationz. Appreciated.

[@futuregenerationz]

@@tonybush555 Yes. He would've worked as well.

[@Profvanhelsing1972]

Hi Tony, Yesterday ( 23 May 2022) was the fifth anniversary of Roger Moore’s (ole Rog’s) passing. I’d like to float the idea of a review of The Naked Face (1984). I recall it having a funeral scene nod to the opening of FYEO. Another one that I haven’t seen in ages is Bullseye with Roger and Michael Caine.

[@tonybush555]

You know, I miss Roger Moore. He was an actor who was well aware of his limitations yet a true professional who played to his strengths and never let ego get in his way. I saw his live touring show quite some years ago now, an onstage interview to promote his autobiography with an extensive audience Q&A. Great evening, he was everything you hoped he'd be, radiating charisma and talking about his early years in Hollywood, Ivanhoe, Maverick, The Alaskans, The Saint, The Persuaders and Bond - he covered a lot of ground. And we will not see his like again. When Caine goes it will be the end of the everyman superstar so easy to identify with. The Naked Face is a definite possible. Cheers Chris.

[@thomaschacko6320]

Enjoyed your review of one of my favourite films. From my first cinema viewing, I considered it a masterful piece of filmmaking. Unlike so many adventure films, it has a tight, well-structured script, thrilling action, interesting characters, and superb actors. (Although I agree that Rafer’s kid can grate on your nerves.) “The Battle Of Britain” had a notable cast, but failed on all other counts. I’m thankful that Andrew V McLaglen, rather than Michael Winner, served as director. Along with the location and climate, keeping Richard Burton and Richard Harris sober must have been a challenge! And Roger Moore showed more depth of feeling than he had as James Bond. I believe the political issues were covered concisely and in good taste, without lengthy speech-making or platitudes. I don’t quite understand Hardy Kruger’s complaints; his part as a racist Afrikaner - who also has qualms about killing - was a good counterbalance to the other leads. “The Wild Geese” was a vast improvement over the novel, which ends with the plane touching down, nothing more. Also, Faulkner dies, Janders kills the drug dealer, and Finn is a non-entity. Even Matherson is not such a memorable villain. As you noted, this was a success for Burton after a string of box-office disasters (aside from “Equus”). He had signed for “Wild Geese II,” but passed away. Considering how that film turned out, he didn’t miss much!

[@tonybush555]

Excellent comment, Thomas. Enjoyed reading. Thanks. T.

[@thomaschacko6320]

@@tonybush555 Thanks very much, Tony. It was refreshing to hear an intelligent analysis of “The Wild Geese.” (Many critics, such as Siskel & Ebert, looked down their noses at it. Not that they influence my opinions!) Can we look forward to your review of “The Sea Wolves”? That film is also on my list of favourites.

[@tonybush555]

@@thomaschacko6320 I think the difference is (and probably the nearest I've got to a USP) is that I'm not a film critic. I'm more an amateur opinionated film fan with a focus (well, for the most part) on genre films I really like or rate highly, if only because I got entertainment value out of them. They also happen to hail from a time when the language of cinema was spoken by many as opposed to today when it's spoken by hardly any. Yes, The Sea Wolves is on my list of film reviews to do. It's a very long list, but hopefully I'll get around to it in time. Thanks again, Thomas. T.

[@geraldmorson4522]

Great analysis again Tony love the Adel jibe, shed make a zombie want to slit his wrist

[@bonpourvous]

It was an ok movie I would watch it for the stars if it came on tv but they dont show it anymore, hmm, I wonder why? rhetorical, I have to say you called Barry Foster Barry Newman which reminded me of a quote from Mr Foster saying people always think he is someone else, either Jon Pertwee, John Thaw or Keith Barron, I guess we can add Barry Newman to that list, lol.

[@tonybush555]

I hadn't noticed that. Apart from sharing a Christian name, they're a bit too distinct to get confused. Who knows what I was thinking? Must have been some sort of frenzy wherein my logic met a vanishing point.

[@DaveSCameron]

Why do you think bringing Woke/current politics into this is necessary ?

[@tonybush555]

What makes you think I think it's necessary?

[@DaveSCameron]

@@tonybush555 Well that's my question, it's a gloriously entertaining last century Hollywood romp and I see absolutely not one reason why you'd find a way to throw in current political left wing agenda amongst what was an otherwise well made and clever upload so if it's worth my asking again, why?

[@tonybush555]

@@DaveSCameron So is your question why did I think it necessary or why did I do it? They're not the same thing.

[@mikekemp9877]

it was very loosely based on events in the congo in the early 60s.patrice lumumba had been abducted while on a plane deposed and later executed.burtons character was based on mike hoare who led a mercenary regiment for the independant state which split from the republic of congo.he was technical advisor on the film.rod taylors the mercenaries aka dark of the sun covers the same period.there was a line cut as thought too confusing for us audiences where patrick allen queries the age of the recruits.burton replies most of them were with me 15 years ago they know the country and the enemy. the congo references were played down in the final screenplay to make it a non specific african country.the simbas the name of the congolese troops remains however.intriguingly stuart graingers part is fairly obviously based on tycoon tiny rowland who made a career out of looting africa.he also appears in much the same role in fact even more closely identified in the novel in the dogs of war .the author of that frederick forsythe a former biafran war correspondent made no bones about the finacier being based on rowlands.mike hoare wound up in jail in south africa after attempting a real life wild geese type coup in the seychelles.escaping they hijacked a plane like the movie but were imprisoned when landing in south africa.

[@tonybush555]

Excellent footnote contribution, mike. Appreciated.