The Wild Geese ★★★½

ROGER Moore was allowed some time out from his main gig as James Bond in the mid-70s to join Richard Burton and Richard Harris in South Africa for a few months.

The formidable trio joined director Andrew V. McLaglen for filming of The Wild Geese, an enjoyable action/adventure that harks back to another era of masculine and unadulterated cinema that only the likes of Clint Eastwood and Guy Ritchie continue to make.

Burton plays Allen Faulkner, a former British Army colonel who has become a mercenary. In London, Faulkner is hired by merchant banker Sir Edward Matheson, played by Stewart Granger, to rescue the imprisoned President of the fictional nation of Zembala.

Matheson is concerned that his copper mineral rights will be taken over by a new military regime. Faulkner takes the job for a variety of reasons –  he needs the money, he’s bored and he knows and respects the imprisoned politician.

Faulkner puts together a team of mercenaries, including pilot and playboy Shawn Flynn (Moore), who has just murdered a London drug dealer’s son, and tactician Rafer Janders (Harris), who only agrees to take part after gaining Faulkner’s promise to look after his young son if he doesn’t return.

Yes, there is plenty of telegraphing of plot points, ample war film cliches and some wince-inducing homophobia and racism, but the film also demonstrates some heart in its admittedly simplified depiction of South African politics.

Rare for any action film, it also depicts mass murder as part of the mercenaries’ plan to even the odds of success.

An oddity granted, but it’s still an opportunity to see three of British acting’s best together on screen.

Watched on Youtube.