WILD GEESE II is a stand-alone sequel to the Richard Burton film; none of the cast return and the story is quite different here with different characters in a different situation. This is a men-on-a-mission film in which some mercenaries are tasked with springing notorious Nazi Rudolph Hess from a Russian-run prison in West Berlin, a task which is every bit as tense and difficult as it sounds.
This is a largely criticised movie that suffers from having an overlong running time; around the middle part of the production the pacing really flags and half an hour could easily have been cut out to give it more pace and momentum. Saying that, the pacing problems are really the only problem the film has, as otherwise it's a solid thriller with interesting cast members and well-directed action from old-timer Peter Hunt.
The story and execution reminded me of RONIN a little, although the Frankenheimer film is by far the better of the two. Scott Glenn makes for a taciturn hero although Barbara Carrera is a weak spot as the female of the piece, reduced to a screaming damsel-in-distress by the end. The best role goes to Edward Fox, riffing on his old DAY OF THE JACKAL character. Laurence Olivier's cameo as Rudolph Hess is a memorable one even if he gets little screen time, while Derek Thompson is also fine as a slimy IRA man. The supporting actors are all effective too. Once the pacing picks up, WILD GEESE II remains entertaining through to the end, and the action is stark and realistic; I liked it.
This is a largely criticised movie that suffers from having an overlong running time; around the middle part of the production the pacing really flags and half an hour could easily have been cut out to give it more pace and momentum. Saying that, the pacing problems are really the only problem the film has, as otherwise it's a solid thriller with interesting cast members and well-directed action from old-timer Peter Hunt.
The story and execution reminded me of RONIN a little, although the Frankenheimer film is by far the better of the two. Scott Glenn makes for a taciturn hero although Barbara Carrera is a weak spot as the female of the piece, reduced to a screaming damsel-in-distress by the end. The best role goes to Edward Fox, riffing on his old DAY OF THE JACKAL character. Laurence Olivier's cameo as Rudolph Hess is a memorable one even if he gets little screen time, while Derek Thompson is also fine as a slimy IRA man. The supporting actors are all effective too. Once the pacing picks up, WILD GEESE II remains entertaining through to the end, and the action is stark and realistic; I liked it.