Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

The Wild Geese (1978)

“You’re jumping out of an airplane, not a whorehouse window. Go up and do it again!” Sergeant Major Young

An excellent adventure film, along the lines of The Guns of Navarone or The Dirty Dozen, with an all star cast, an exotic location, and a great story goes by the unlikely title The Wild Geese.

Richard Burton (Alexander the Great, Where Eagles Dare, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold) stars as the leader of a 50-man mercenary team tasked with rescuing the deposed president of an African country The prize is copper, and Burton is hired to get the man who can ensure the copper rights go to the correct people.

After the team is trained and inserted into the country by a magnificent paratrooping sequence - the best ever filmed - they are betrayed by their employers back in olde Englande, who cut a deal with the current regime leaving the Wild Geese hanging out to dry. Cut off from their means of escape, despite horrific odds, the Wild Geese resolve to make it back out of the trap they’ve been left in, and some do, but not without paying a terrible price. The film also has a nice twist at the end that leaves you feeling that justice was done.

Andrew V. MacLaglen (The Devil’s Brigade) directed the film, giving a good view of the selection, training, and execution stages of the mission. Assisted by Col. Mike Hoare (I’m not kidding), a famed mercenary from the Congo War, who acted as technical adviser. Hoare helped teach the actors how mercenaries operate. As such, the action and shooting sequences are very well done indeed.

Assisting Richard Burton in the leadership roles of the mercenary company are international stars Richard Harris, Roger Moore, and Hardy Kruger, all tough as whipcord with some interesting personal foibles. Roger Moore gets to play the comic relief and does a good job in his hiatus from the Bond 007 series. Playing the African leader is Winston Ntshona (The Dogs of War) and a fine job he does. Able assistance is also provided by Stewart Granger and Jeff Corey, in smaller but key parts. Most of the Geese are played by familiar-faced British characters and many make their performances memorable, notably Kenneth Griffith, as the gay medical orderly Witty. The Wild Geese is not PC and probably could not be made today without howls of protest from various groups.

Adapted from the book, “The Thin White Line,” by Daniel Carney, The Wild Geese gives a pretty good look at the upheavals during the 1960s when African nations, formerly colonies were gaining their independence. The newly released DVD contains a host of extra features, including a full-length commentary by producer Euan Lloyd and Roger Moore that is very helpful, unlike a lot of commentaries. A tribute to producer Euan Lloyd, called “Last of the Gentleman Producers;” a 40-minute radio interview of Richard Burton, Roger Moore, and other cast members, a making-of documentary, and many more features. No subtitles are provided, unfortunately. The DVD is presented in color, runs 130 minutes, and is in 1.85:1 format, unfortunately not enhanced for 16x9 but the image is pristine.

Those fans who like a rollicking adventure story will be sure to like The Wild Geese. The most similar movie I’ve seen is Frederick Forsythe’s The Dogs of War.

Fans will also want to see

The Guns of Navarone

The Dirty Dozen

Where Eagles Dare

Kelly’s Heroes

Enjoy a good movie tonight!

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening