Wild Geese 2 (1985)

Not as bad as some would have you believe - DVD please

Written by the same author and oiginally intended to star Richard Burton, this 1985 follow-up to the classoc 1978 original was(somewhat) unfairly mauled by critics upon its release. It shared the same fate of another favorite of mine (Force 10 From Navarone) in utilizing a well-known and beloved movie title with a very different plot line.
Although I enjoy the original that starred Burton alongside Roger Moore and Richard Harris, I prefer the Cold War intrigue of this movie to the African backdrop of the 1978 film. I also think Edward Fox was a welcome substitution for Burton (who apparently died before filming began), channeling some of the Jackal character from his excellent performance in the earlier "Day of the Jackal", the only gripe I have regarding his character is that he is underused.
In fact most of the movie is carried by the always watchable Scott Glenn and possibly my favorite of all 1980s actresses in the shapely form of Barbara Carrera.
Glenn's character is hired by an American television network to spring Rudolf Hess (played by Laurence Olivier) from Spandau Prison in Berlin. Hess had been in Allied captivity since crash landing in Scotland in the early days of World War II and the network seems intent on discovering what secrets should be so dangerous to keep the man incarcerated alone and guarded by a rotation of French, Russian, British and American troops.
The action is a little less intense and more subdued than the original, some fights and a little gunplay, but this is more than compensated for by a rather intriguing plot.
I wouold love to see this movie be released on DVD soon. Considering someof the trash that is available already on DVD it's criminal that this movie is not yet available on those shuny silver discs.
September 2, 2008

Thoughtful thriller

A thoughtful, action-driven, hard-edge, realistic and memorable film--NOT a sequel to the Roger Moore's lampoonish Bond-era Wild Geese. June 15, 2008

The Not So Great Sequel To The Wild Geese

The Wild Geese is one of the better action films out there with its combination of a top-notch leading cast, a good supporting cast, a good script and spectacular action sequences. Then there's this film: a sequel in name only. Wild Geese II lacks many of the above listed elements.

The original film had the wonderful combination of Richard Burton, Roger Moore, and Richard Harris. Now Burton was set to return for this film before his untimely death. His replacement in this film is Edward Fox who plays his younger brother Alex. Fox is the real lifeblood of this film. He has a wonderful sense of humor in his character and he is believable as the brother to the Burton character. Meanwhile Scott Glenn and Barbara Carrera are good actors, but they lack chemistry. Glenn is not a leading man and it takes considerable effort to watch him throughout the entire film when he spends whole scenes by himself. While Carrera starts off being an intelligent and self-sufficient character, she ends up turning into a full-out damsel in distress by the time the film is over with.

The supporting cast is mixed. Kenneth Haigh is rather convincing as Colonel Reed-Henry as is Robert Webber as TV network owner Robert McCann. John Terry lacks much acting chops as Michael Lukas. But the real star of the supporting cast is the cameo (for lack of better description) by Laurence Olivier as Rudolf Hess. Olivier appearance is brief, during the finale of the film, but his scenes with Fox, Glenn, and Carrera makes the two hour running length of the film seem worthwhile.

When compared to the script and action sequences of the original film, this film is definitely lacking. Despite having been written by the same screenwriter, the films plot lacks both the punch and realism of the original. One might find that because of the change in locations from Africa to Cold War Berlin but the film still lacks realism. Not to mention that thee is really a lack of action in this film. Whiel the first film was not exactly loaded with action either, at least it had a huge set-up for an even bigger pay off at the end. this film has a massive set up and virtually no pay off.

So despite having an excellent Edward Fox and Laurence Olivier, Wild Geese II lacks in everything that the first film had. the film becomes a cardboard action / espionage film that lacks both intelligence and realism. It is a sequel in name only and if you love the original, you might want to stay away from this film. You are likely to be disappointed. January 8, 2008

Wild Geese II Review from former Intell Officer

Looking back at it almost 20 years later, Wild Geese II is a fantastic cinematic snapshot of 1980's Cold War Berlin. I was stationed there at that time as an army intelligence officer, and the movie brings back many memories. Edward Fox is better than Burton who I greatly admire, but felt looked too old even in Wild Geese One. Scott Glenn is excellent as the hard-charging merc with a violent past. Sir Laurence Olivier was very believable as Rudolf Hess. All in all, this is a top notch Euan Lloyd film. Don't listen to the naysayers, buy it or rent it. I hope it comes out on DVD one day. October 5, 2003

Poor and Unnecessary Sequel to a Fine Film

I liked the first film so much, I thought I'd give this one a shot. This was horrible. Story of Mercanaries attempting to break Rudolf Hess out of prison in Germany. Without Richard Burton this film falls flat on its face, and the whole project should never have gone forward after Burton's unfortunate death. This sequel was very unneccessary anyway. It should've been a film by itself. If you haven't already, than see the first movie, it is so much better. Try this if you want but I don't reccomend it. December 30, 1999

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