Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- macho
- tense
- fatalistic
- classic action night
- war movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as a solid, classically constructed mercenary action film elevated by its veteran ensemble, while its racial politics and shoot-em-up treatment of African conflict remain significant liabilities.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Faulkner assembles a private army for a politically motivated rescue, while the sponsors' motives and reliability remain morally compromised.
A British multinational finances an armed overthrow in central Africa and uses mercenaries to execute its interests.
The film foregrounds an aging band of professional soldiers, shoot-outs, battlefield tactics, and the western-influenced action style noted in its reception.
Its depiction of black characters and African politics prompted anti-apartheid protests and criticism that it exploited racism as entertainment.
Films like The Wild Geese, and why
The Dirty Dozen
shared mercenary mission structure, military action, aging soldier ensemble, and cynical political backdrop
The Dogs of War
shared men-on-a-mission format, professional soldiers, colonial conflict, and hard-edged action
The Last King of Scotland
shared African setting, political intrigue, military intervention, and morally compromised outsiders
The Guns of Navarone
shared aging-warrior ensemble, private military violence, masculine camaraderie, and fatalistic adventure
Movie Details
- Director
- Andrew V. McLaglen
- Release Date
- 1978-06-28
- Runtime
- 134 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (295)
Cast
- Richard Burton
- Richard Harris
- Roger Moore
- Hardy Krüger
- Stewart Granger
- John Kani
- Jack Watson
- Frank Finlay
- Kenneth Griffith
- Ronald Fraser
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, FlixFling, Midnight Pulp, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Bloodstream, Cineverse Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, FlixFling
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Wild Geese about?
- A veteran mercenary assembles an elite team for a seemingly noble African rescue mission that exposes the brutal politics behind private warfare.
- What is The Wild Geese like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Wild Geese as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Wild Geese violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Wild Geese as graphic.
- What did critics think of The Wild Geese?
- Critics broadly regard it as a solid, classically constructed mercenary action film elevated by its veteran ensemble, while its racial politics and shoot-em-up treatment of African conflict remain significant liabilities.
- Which films are like The Wild Geese?
- Films with a similar feel include The Dirty Dozen, The Dogs of War, The Last King of Scotland, and The Guns of Navarone.
- How long is The Wild Geese?
- The Wild Geese runs 134 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Wild Geese?
- In United States, The Wild Geese streams on Amazon Prime Video, FlixFling, Midnight Pulp, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Bloodstream, Cineverse Amazon Channel.
