The Wild Geese (1978) (Blu-ray/DVD Combo Review)
Directed By: Andrew V. McLaglen
Starring: Richard Burton, Roger Moore, Richard Harris
Rated: R/Region: A/1/1X85/1080p/Number of disc: 2
Available from Severin Films
A British multinational seeks to overthrow a vicious dictator in central Africa. It hires a band of (largely aged) mercenaries in London and sends them in to save the virtuous but imprisoned opposition leader who is also critically ill and due for execution. Just when the team has performed a perfect rescue, the multinational does a deal with the vicious dictator leaving the mercenary band to escape under their own steam and exact revenge.
This is a film that reminds me somewhat of The Dirty Dozen, but I don’t think it works overall as well as that film does for a few reasons. One issue I have with this movie is to spite being superbly shot and well-made overall, the plot just drags and things are very much dull for a good portion of the film. I can understand why it is like that in a way, they want us to care about the characters and as a result we get a lot of backstory on them. I just wish they had moved that along and had more action as we get to that point.
The film doesn’t seem to really get rolling until we have reached the 30 or perhaps even the 40 minute mark, then we soon get the key plot twist and we are off and running. The actual military portion of the film is the strongest part of the film here and clocking in over two hours I do wish the editors had used the edit button more. Still, it is a well-crafted film from a shooting perspective. We have action and we have some comedic moments to help with the slower pace as well. The transfer is a little softer than we might want, but overall the film isn’t horrible. But you probably won’t always been in the mood to sit through it.
– The Wild Geese Director: Interview with Director Andrew V. McLaglen
– The Mercenary – Exclusive Interview with Military Adviser Mike Hoare
– The Last Gentleman Producers Documentary
– Audio Commentary with producer and director
– The Flying of the Wild Geese: Vintage Featurette
– The Wild Geese Royal Royal Charity Premiere Newsreel
– Trailer
