Watch The Wild Geese

In 1978, director Andrew V. McLaglen assembled an impressive cast of British actors for the war action thriller "The Wild Geese". The star-studded lineup features Academy Award nominees Richard Burton and Richard Harris, as well as James Bond actor Roger Moore. The movie follows a group of mercenaries who are hired by an African dictator to rescue a political prisoner. The leader of the team is Allen Faulkner (Richard Burton), a seasoned soldier who used to work for the British army. He assembles a team of skilled fighters, including pilot Shaun Fynn (Roger Moore), former soldier Rafer Janders (Richard Harris), and others.

The man they are supposed to rescue is Limbani, a political leader who was captured by the dictator, President Limbani. The Wild Geese must infiltrate the African country, travel through the jungle, and make their way to the prison where Limbani is being held. Along the way, they must face both physical and emotional challenges, including rebel attacks, betrayal, and internal conflicts.

As they complete their mission, the Wild Geese realize that the conflict in Africa is not as clear-cut as they thought. They learn about the atrocities committed by both sides of the civil war, and they start to question the morality of their actions. In the end, the movie delivers a satisfying finale that ties up loose ends and provides closure for the characters.

One of the strongest aspects of the movie is the cast. Richard Burton, in particular, delivers a nuanced performance as the cynical and weary leader of the mercenaries. He brings a sense of gravitas to the role that elevates the entire movie. Richard Harris, as always, is charming and charismatic, but also tough and vulnerable when he needs to be. Roger Moore, in a departure from his suave James Bond persona, plays a gruff and no-nonsense pilot who gets involved in the mission for his own reasons.

The action sequences are also a highlight of the movie. Director Andrew V. McLaglen, who has a background in Westerns, knows how to stage thrilling shootouts and chase scenes. The mercenaries use a variety of weapons and tactics to take down their enemies, and the scenes are choreographed with precision and tension.

The music, composed by Roy Budd, is another strong point. The score is both lively and emotional, and it reflects the film's themes of brotherhood, sacrifice, and redemption. The opening credits sequence, which features the song "Flight of the Wild Geese", sets the tone for the entire movie and gets the audience pumped up for the action.

If there is a weakness to the movie, it's that some of the characters feel underdeveloped. While the core team members all have their own distinct personalities and motivations, some of the side characters feel like they're there simply to fill out the ranks. Additionally, the movie's portrayal of Africa and its people may feel outdated to modern audiences.

Overall, "The Wild Geese" is a thrilling and entertaining action movie that features some of Britain's finest actors at the top of their game. It's a movie that will appeal to fans of war movies, ensemble casts, and thrilling action sequences. Even though it was released over 40 years ago, it still holds up as a classic example of the genre.

The Wild Geese is a 1978 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 14 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.