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The Wild Geese (1978)

R  |   |  Action, Adventure, Drama  |  11 November 1978 (USA)
6.8
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Ratings: 6.8/10 from 8,770 users  
Reviews: 113 user | 49 critic

A British banker hires a group of British mercenaries to rescue a deposed African president from the hands of a corrupt African dictator.

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Writers:

(screenplay), (novel)
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Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
Lt. Pieter Coetzee (as Hardy Kruger)
...
Sir Edward Matherson
Winston Ntshona ...
President Julius Limbani
...
Sgt. Jesse Link
Jack Watson ...
R.S.M. Sandy Young
...
Kenneth Griffith ...
Arthur Witty
...
Thomas Balfour
...
Jock McTaggart
Ian Yule ...
Tosh Donaldson
Patrick Allen ...
Rushton
Rosalind Lloyd ...
Heather
Edit

Storyline

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. Written by Richard Young <richy@vnu.co.uk>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

The Dogs of War. The Best D*** Mercenaries in the Business!


Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

|

Language:

Release Date:

11 November 1978 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Los gansos salvajes  »

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

SEK 4,765,658 (Sweden)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(London premiere print)|

Color:

(Eastmancolor) (uncredited)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

Despite being part of the racist Apartheid regime, the South African Film Board was keen to have genuine black South African actors playing key roles in the film rather than Afro-American or British Afro-Carribean actors taking the parts. Both John Kani who played Sgt Jesse and Winston Ntshona who played President Limbani were initially reluctant to star in a film which featured white mercenaries interfering in African affairs and portrayed a country with black majority rule so negatively. However, they were both impressed by the subplot of understanding and forgiveness developing between Kruger and Ntshona's characters and decided to participate in the film after all. See more »

Goofs

In the beginning of the movie, Faulkner is greeted as General; later he is referred to as Colonel. See more »

Quotes

Faulkner: There is a clause in all of my contracts, that my liver is to be buried separately, and, with honors.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Nocturna (1979) See more »

Soundtracks

Sammy's Theme
"Dance of Death"
Written and Performed by Jerry Donahue & Marc Donahue (as Jerry and Marc Donahue)
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
The Mercenary and his Employer
12 July 2006 | by (USA) – See all my reviews

Africa has been the background setting for many an exciting film. In this story a powerful, but arrogant English lord and wealthy financier, (Stewart Granger) Sir Edward Matherson, hires, a professional Mecernary, Col. Allen Faulkner, (Richard Burton) to fly into Africa and rescue a popular but imprisoned African leader Julius Limbani. (Winston Ntshona) This action will threaten and force a ruthless, but established dictator to sign over his country's lucrative copper mining rights. To help Faulkner with his dangerous task, he calls on close military friends. Lt. Shawn Fynn, (Roger Moore), Capt. Rafer Janders (Richard Harris) Lt. Pieter Coetze, (Hardy Krüger) and Sagarent Major Sandy Young. (Jack Watson). Together, they plan, organize, train and secretly fly into the heart of enemy country. What they don't know is that Sir Edward Matherson will expect the dreaded and merciless "Simbas" to be more efficient than his hired men. Rarely does a dramatic, action packed film contain a simple subliminal message; that men of war can also be men of conscience seeking common bond and family life. A superb vehicle for Richard Burton. ****


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