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| The Wild Geese (30th Anniversary Edition) |
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Buy New: $10.47
Buy New/Used/Collectible from $9.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  (based on 73 reviews)
Sales Rank: 742
Category: DVD
Director: Andrew V. Mclaglen
Format: Color, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 130 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6
ISBN: 1598370243
UPC: 844628010160
EAN: 0844628010160
ASIN: B0009UVCQW
Release Date: September 27, 2005
Theatrical Release Date: November 11, 1978
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Mixing action, humor, sentiment, and even a few righteous moral convictions, The Wild Geese is good, rousing fun. Released theatrically in 1978 (oddly, this 2005 DVD release is referred to as the "30th Anniversary Edition"), director Andrew V. McLaglens film depicts the adventures of a group of British mercenaries hired by a shady multinational corporation to free the benevolent leader of an African nation held captive by a ruthless dictator. Led by the caustic, no-nonsense Col. Allen Faulkner (Richard Burton), these soldiers of fortune are all stout fellows out to earn a big payday and restore a good man to his rightful place of power (the underlying message of universal racial brotherhood is effective, if somewhat simplistic), and they do their job swiftly and efficiently... at least until they're double-crossed by their venal, perfidious employers, at which point the film becomes a tale of survival and revenge. The cast, which also includes Richard Harris, Roger Moore, and a host of other fine veteran actors, is first-rate, the story-telling efficient, the dialogue entertaining (with occasional bursts of profanity), and the action reasonably exciting and not overly graphic. And even if the pace is somewhat leisurely by new millennium standards (we're nearly an hour into it before the actual mission starts), The Wild Geese is a very enjoyable ride. Bonus features include a profile of producer Euan Lloyd and commentary by Lloyd, Moore, and journalist Jonathan Sothcott. --Sam Graham
Description
This film does not have closed captions. It needs to be taken off the Details page.
Thank you, Jason Porter
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Customer Reviews: Read 68 more reviews...
 For what it is- excellent "He-Man" entertainment- can't be beat June 7, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Made in 1978 and based on Daniel Carney's cynical and rather bleak novel, this film stands as one of the 1970's great unsung action adventure films.
Concerning a small band of mercenary brothers attempting to rescue an African leader, THE WILD GEESE was all but unseen in the states until the advent of home video where it gained a well deserved and loyal cult following amoung action adventure aficionados.
The film isn't perfect by any stretch. The dialouge, written by Reginald Rose is often laughably cliched. Director Andrew V McLaglen doesn't really know how to stage dialouge scenes and the result is some very stilted moments. Some of the minor parts are filled with grossly incompetent actors. There are obvious "sacrificial lamb" telegraphing plot points. The film also doesn't really know what tone it wishes to set- is it a straight up adventure in the vein of GUNGA DIN or does it want to be taken seriously (several clumsy attempts at humour hint at parody)as a political tome? Does it overly romanticize the mercenary profession? It does often come off as a "boy's own" comic book.
But the film boasts several fine points. At the core of the film is a very progressive (for 1977 when the film was shot) message slamming apartheid as well as hinting that pure pan-Africanism isn't the answer alone either. The film was indeed shot in South Africa using many black cast and crew members (hired from South Africa!)and therefore possesses superb location work as well as local flavor not found on a back lot. The action is swift, well staged, brutal and plentiful, due in no small part to the excellent contributions of technical advising of real-life mercenaries.
Leading actors Burton, Harris, Kruger and even Moore deliver fine performances. Supporting cast members Jack Watson, Ronald Fraser and Kenneth Griffith as well as Winston Ntshona deliver fascinating character studies (I only wish the dialouge was stronger). It is obvious that the actors did have a rollicking time making the film as the film resounds with sheer machismo that literally bolts off the screen. These actors do indeed share a rare chemsitry.
The film withstands multiple viewings as it is extremely well-paced (due to the superb editing of John Glen)and, as noted before- the main cast is constructed of fascinating personalities. I saw it during its initial release and still love to view it at least once a year-sometimes two or three.
Now that it is finally released on DVD here in the States, THE WILD GEESE is a must own for any serious action adventure fan.
 Rare Laserdiscs - dvds Movies Collector. April 22, 2006
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Wild Geese is One OF My Favorite WAR Movies.I have it on dvd,'tis a great Movie :)
burton,harris,moore,and company have a slam bang adventure and take us with them April 18, 2006
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
i was 12 when i saw this movie the first time and i loved the action and the interplay by the leads. richard burton heads the cast the leader of the mercenaries,with richard harris and roger moore along for the ride.
burton and company are sent to africa to free leader in prison and about to be killed. after the rescue the people who sent them leave them to fight their way out after the goverment they wanted to over throw make a deal. great action and the stars look like they are having fun. check out this good action movie,i think you'll like it.
The Wild Geese March 26, 2006
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I happen to enjoy Richard Burton and have been waiting for the release of this movie on DVD. Good adventure movie, especially if you like Burton.
 OK guy movie March 16, 2006
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
This movie has some of the best actors of cinema and a lot of action.
It lacks a great deal in plot. It tries. It makes a fairly good afternoon matinee type guy flick, especially if a few brews are being consumed along with the movie.
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Copyright Runningonkarma.com 2006
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