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Editorial Review:
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. McLaglen’s 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
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - "Geese" SOARS above "Dogs"
This movie is SO much better than "The Dogs of War". It has far more action and far more interesting characters. Unlike other reviewers, I feel the story is timeless, corruption of fledgling countries still goes on. All the actors are PERFECT, and NOT too old. It's a final payday, and they are experienced, so therefore they are not thirty.
The violence, at times, is graphic. The ill-trained African Army gets slaughtered in large groups, but the "Geese" also pay a high cost. No total happy ending, ... Read More
Rating:  - What An Action Film Should Be
Imagine a film with three major stars put together with a good script and some fine action and what do you get: The Wild Geese. With the unlikely combination of Richard Burton, Richard Harris & Roger Moore plus a well-written script coupled with spectacular action sequences this is a rip-roaring action / adventure and a top-notch film that is what an action film should be.
The three main leads are the main attraction of this film. It's hard to believe that actors of the caliber of Burton, ... Read More
Rating: - Wild Geese
My husband asked me to get this for him. He has watched it many times since we got it and has thoroughly enjoyed having it in our movie collection. Excellent!
Rating: - Cheesy but entertaining
A small band of mercenaries is sent into an unnamed country in Africa to snatch a political figure held prisoner. The operation is financed by a wealth English businessman who is looking to make a fortune with a change in government. Richard Burton leads the expedition, with Roger Moore (pre-James Bond) and Richard Harris along for the ride. Lots of old friends and associates are assembled and transported to Africa where the training of the largely 40-something men begins. The rescue operation goes smoothly ... Read More
Rating: - pawns in the game . . .
Hired by a British financier (Stewart Granger), the Wild Geese are a mercenary group, sent into Africa to rescue a political leader (Winston Ntshona) being held captive at a military post. The group consists of mostly experienced soldiers, led by Colonel Faulkner (Richard Burton), parachute drop into action, where they attack an army camp, free the prisoner, and make their escape with the army close on their heels. The Geese find that they are just pawns in a greater game, when their plans for escape go awry. ... Read More
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