Watch North Sea Hijack

The 1980 action-thriller film North Sea Hijack, also known as Ffolkes, follows the story of a group of terrorists who hijack a North Sea oil rig and hold its workers hostage. The film stars Roger Moore as Rufus Excalibur Ffolkes, a wealthy and eccentric cat-loving expert in underwater demolitions, who is hired by the British government to lead a team of elite commandos to take down the terrorists and rescue the hostages. James Mason plays Admiral Brindsen, the head of the British Navy, who is forced to work with Ffolkes despite their mutual dislike for each other. Anthony Perkins portrays the role of Lou Kramer, the terrorist leader who is determined to carry out his demands, even if it means killing innocent people.

The film starts with the hijackers demanding a ransom of 25 million pounds from the British government to release the hostages on board the oil rig. Ffolkes is called upon by Admiral Brindsen to take charge of the military operation to rescue the hostages. Though initially reluctant to help, Ffolkes eventually accepts the offer and starts assembling his team of commandos, including Shulman (David Hedison) and Miller (Michael Parks).

As Ffolkes and his team prepare to launch their operation, they encounter several challenges, including rough weather conditions, a malfunctioning helicopter, and disagreements among the team members. Meanwhile, the terrorists on the rig become increasingly aggressive and begin executing hostages to pressure the British government into meeting their demands.

As the situation intensifies, Ffolkes devises a plan to use his expertise in underwater demolitions to disable the rig's engines and cause it to sink, trapping the terrorists on board. However, the terrorists are aware of Ffolkes' plan and have prepared countermeasures to foil his efforts.

The tension builds up as the commandos attempt to carry out their mission while facing resistance from the terrorists. Ffolkes also faces personal challenges, such as his fear of water, as he dives underwater to place explosives on the rig's engines.

At the climax of the film, the commandos successfully carry out their mission and disable the rig's engines, and the terrorists are defeated. However, not all the hostages survive, and the team mourns the loss of their fallen comrades.

North Sea Hijack is a well-executed action-thriller that features strong performances from its cast. Roger Moore delivers a convincing portrayal of Ffolkes, a unique and memorable character that differs from the suave and sophisticated roles he is most known for. James Mason offers a solid performance as Admiral Brindsen, playing the stern and unwavering military leader. Anthony Perkins is also effective as Lou Kramer, the cunning and ruthless terrorist leader.

The film also features intense action sequences that keep the audience on the edge of their seats. The underwater demolition scenes are particularly well-done and add an additional layer of tension to the film. The score by Michael J. Lewis is also notable, providing a fitting accompaniment to the film's action and suspense.

Despite being over 40 years old, North Sea Hijack remains an entertaining and compelling action film that stands the test of time. It is a must-watch for fans of the action-thriller genre and a fitting showcase of the talents of its talented cast and crew.