This was my father's favorite film. We had not watched it for 20 years until I found it on DVD on eBay last year. It was the last movie we saw together before he died last April.
Especially The Expendables, even though I like 80's action movies, The Expendables offers nothing, plot-wise. It's ONLY selling point is that it has old school stars and macho men. Which is fine but plot and character-wise, it had absolutely nothing to offer for they were boring and uninteresting. The Expendables is, as far as I'm concerned' a wasted opportunity. The Wild Geese on the other hand has big names but the story, while simple, is still well-written and had great characters. And it doesn't help that The Expendables relies too much on in-jokes that makes me cringe.
CompanyLagoon I do agree, the funny thing is alot of people who remember those legends (Burton, Niven, Peck et-al), in many ways look on at their later action films like the Wild Geese, Sea Wolves etc, in a similar way as you may look at Expendables now. Those movies have a charm to them that is fully recognizable to people of that era (50s/60s), just as Expendables has its own charm recognizable to fans of those particular 80s/90s action stars. Or atleast thats the way I see it.
I like the scene where Falkner tries to tell Sandy to go home. "Sir, with respect, if you want a reverlution, try and fucking stop me. SIR!" snaps a salute spins on his heel and marches out the door!
Dear God Almighty - He's my RSM, he's just got a different face.Mine still scares me almost to death almost 30 years later but he taught me the skills that kept me safe in some pretty horrendous places - thank you Wally!
My RSM was a beast. The bastard stood at 7'.4" , was built like a tank and looked like he would scoop your brains out if you happened to look at him funny.
We had a Sargent like that when I was being trained in the British army back in the early 80's, he looked like that bloke too!! Great Platoon Sargent though..
When the Simba's attack, the line by Esposito "Jesus, we're dead..." and the RSM's reply "You're not dead until I tell you!" Tells you a lot about RSM's, they scared the living fuck out of you but when the shit hit's the fan you're his beloved sons.
To all the people complaining that Jack Watson was too old to play an RSM... he is supposed to be a RETIRED RSM! He was hired by the characters played by Roger Moore and Richard Harris (both characters being retired British officers) to put their mercenaries through the paces and get them back into shape for the mission they are about to undertake. The RSM's first scene in the film is of him trimming rose bushes at home, for God's sake...
They're all a bit on the elderly side. Burton seemed more physically fit here than in "Where Eagles Dare", in which he was seven or eight years younger.
Love the scene of Richard Burton running (!) and his dyed toupe flapping around. When he sits down and has a beer (bet it was real) you can see it is almost off!! Roger moore said this was a great way to get the "old boys" together, Burton, Krueger, Watson, harris et al. I really like this movie, funny and cruel at the same time, and violent!!
My first C.S.M. in my Regiment..George Lawrence..hard firm and fair..reminds me of this fella...sadly no longer with us..RIP Sir..sorting them out upstairs
Saw this in the theater in 1978, Dad took me to my first R-rated movie and I had nightmares about it. Watching it again after a 30+ military career, and I previously spent time at the film’s Africa location I should say this is the most cornball nonsense ever. The Kariba landing scene “We had landing lights at Kariba, they didn’t need torches.” Silly. The whole mafia thing is silly also. And yet… I LOVE this movie! Richard Burton, Roger Moore and Richard Harris take over-acting to new heights and… oh, who cares, it’s awesome! Movies used to be FUN; turn your brain off here’s a STORY. Also I don’t think fire vehicles would need RSR stickers, but fine. It’s a movie!
Try my great uncle Harry whose remains lay in Millecourt Cemetery on the Somme, killed while commanding an 8" howitzer. He told the medics; "Don't worry about me, see to my men first." after being struck by shrapnel from German counter-battery fire. 12 August 1916.
i met jack watson the man who plays sandy on a bus in bath some years ago , we talked about the wild geese and other movies he had been in , he was a nice person
made me to remember Capt.J.L.Tucker during my basic pre sea training at bombay back in 1988 , he used to be the biggest f....r as far as we were concerned ,but man ......did we develop respect for him?....... ENORMOUS is the least word I can use to express it. He practised to the last action what he drilled us on........... as did the RSM character sandy in the movie. GOD BLESS HIS SOUL.
Yah, there was a certain Sergeant Zajac up at Camp Pendleton, when I spent a brief time in the tender loving care of the USMC back in the summer of 1974. Christ, I hated his fucking guts, but I did respect the man, no doubt.
I love the way that the Sandy Watson character is able to intimidate / cajole / bully & insult his SENIOR officers in this clip :-) He still calls them "Sir" .
There's a line in a film about a British officer training establishment. The WO2 instructor makes the point that they will call each other "Sir" but only one of them will mean it.
In the movie, on 2 occasions Moore ( when doing the parachute training) and Harris ( during the parade ground training) called the RSM " Sir". I think it's because it takes less energy ( and breath) to say " Yes Regimental Sergeant Major"
Ian Yule who played 'Tosh' (The sergeant who in the recruiting scene had become a plumber, and used the chopped down FN-FAL)- had been one of Mad Mike's crew and it was because of Ian, that Mike was hired as an advisor.
No not quite, Sir Richard died in 1984. This movie was released in 1978. Burton was slated to star in the sequel, but died before filming began. Yes, poor Burton looks like he was about to pass on after this physical ordeal. Great actor, may he rest in peace.
hahahaha, can you honestly imagine these silly old sods making for a convincing fighting unit???? a great film nevertheless and a classic of the war genre
I don't care what country, we all have fond memories of our first encounter with the drill sergeant, DI, RSM, CSM, et cetera. They were just teaching us how to survive as a grunt. I hated mine at first but I still remember each of their names and faces. I also still remember my senior drill sergeant's favorite saying, "Private put your bottom and top lips together.....SO NO MORE CRAP FALLS OUTTA IT!!!"
Fantastic film. All actors were great. Nothing to match this by Hollywood crap. Sincerely Ex Brit Para of th 1950's and 60's .................Good old Jack Watson............
JACK WATSON Is Blood Awesome, I adore his acting in TOBRUK and THE DEVIL's BRIGADE and he did a small role in this Great TV Miniseries call MASADA and i was caught by Surprise, he played an Excellent Roman Soldier. What a Great Sargent Major Jack Watson Portrayed.
Ah, yes...the good old RSM...the biggest c**t on the planet when you were in basic, but when you look back, you can't help but get all dewey eyed at the thought of the old fucker. (If he's dead, he's found gainful employment in some unimaginable level of hell!)
The mercenaries in african ops in the late 70's & early 80's were generally total fiasco's. Badly paid, with troops with dubious backgrounds, some were just fantasists like Costas Georgiu in Angola in 1975 (AKA 'Col. Callan' - who would have struggled to make a lance cpl in the British army. Jailed for an (on duty) armed robbery was made a Colonel after 'oversleeping', finding his unit had moved on, the telling everyone he'd singlehandedly wiped out a battalion while returning to his lines...)
efnissien Read 'Firepower' - very well written and detailed account of the madness and utter mayhem of Col Callan's Mercs. ( Book written by Dave Tompkins and Chris Dempster).
For the Civilians, When you are in the army, you have to follow the orders of the instructor even if he is just a corporal and you an officer. I remember a Captain doing the Air-borne course and a corporal was his superior during the course,because he was the instructor. He was frustrated and threatened the corporal,but couldn't do nothing against him. When he was finished the captain was so grateful with the instructor that he gave a party for all of us who had the same course.
@@jamietobin4161 Oh it is mate. I've got a hell of a long list. I love my movies and have literally 100's of dvd's. Watched more than ever now with this lock down and the crap they put on the telly.
Raiken, no worries. The one thing about all of the Colour Sergeants I ever met was the fact they never asked their men to do something they themselves were incapable of.
+Gustave Kropff The Colour Bloke is a potential RSM, making him the biggest Company bastard going. Nice one, Gustav. I am pleased this sort of quality behaviour of Warrant Officers is not confined to the British Army!
The RSM was suppose to be old in this film, this is part of the script and is totally intended, Jack Watson was perfectly cast. Roger Moore cannot be considered the only star of this movie. Camelot was far from a flop and went on to earn Harris Millions of pounds world wide, and both Burton and Harris were internationally renown stars in 1976 when the film was shot. The berets in the films actually come from a variety of different regiments and are not all Parachute Berets.
@ Tim - Agreed on Jack Watson being a fantastic RSM - he actually reminds me of one bastard I knew...(and I mean 'bastard' as a term of endearment) Only Windsor Davies is in the same league. @ Jexington - there are some great lines in the film, like Flynn's line on being told one of their options might be surrender "I'd sooner let Witty treat my haemerrroids..." Do like RSM 'Sandy's' introduction...
This was my father's favorite film. We had not watched it for 20 years until I found it on DVD on eBay last year. It was the last movie we saw together before he died last April.
Double Diablo what a brilliant film to watch with your father lord rest his soul
BLESS YOU!!! ...my dad was Navy and we laughed at this plus Full Metal Jacket!!! =D
This is better than any modern mercenary film.
Even Expendables
Especially The Expendables, even though I like 80's action movies, The Expendables offers nothing, plot-wise. It's ONLY selling point is that it has old school stars and macho men. Which is fine but plot and character-wise, it had absolutely nothing to offer for they were boring and uninteresting. The Expendables is, as far as I'm concerned' a wasted opportunity. The Wild Geese on the other hand has big names but the story, while simple, is still well-written and had great characters. And it doesn't help that The Expendables relies too much on in-jokes that makes me cringe.
CompanyLagoon I do agree, the funny thing is alot of people who remember those legends (Burton, Niven, Peck et-al), in many ways look on at their later action films like the Wild Geese, Sea Wolves etc, in a similar way as you may look at Expendables now.
Those movies have a charm to them that is fully recognizable to people of that era (50s/60s), just as Expendables has its own charm recognizable to fans of those particular 80s/90s action stars.
Or atleast thats the way I see it.
That is a great point
Classic and underrated movie.
One of the greatest Brit war flicks evr - A legendary film, so many proper stars
I like the scene where Falkner tries to tell Sandy to go home.
"Sir, with respect, if you want a reverlution, try and fucking stop me. SIR!" snaps a salute spins on his heel and marches out the door!
...they were his 'boys' and he was going to make sure they did as they were told!!!
Poor Burton, he nearly died during this scene. Too bad he didn't make it to star in the Wild Geese II.
Rest in peace Roger Moore 1927 to 2017.
This and "The Dogs of War" are the two best Merc movies ever
Well. Maybe so but don't forget The Dark of The Sun. A corker!
Dear God Almighty - He's my RSM, he's just got a different face.Mine still scares me almost to death almost 30 years later but he taught me the skills that kept me safe in some pretty horrendous places - thank you Wally!
My RSM was a beast. The bastard stood at 7'.4" , was built like a tank and looked like he would scoop your brains out if you happened to look at him funny.
We had a Sargent like that when I was being trained in the British army back in the early 80's, he looked like that bloke too!! Great Platoon Sargent though..
When the Simba's attack, the line by Esposito "Jesus, we're dead..."
and the RSM's reply "You're not dead until I tell you!"
Tells you a lot about RSM's, they scared the living fuck out of you but when the shit hit's the fan you're his beloved sons.
To all the people complaining that Jack Watson was too old to play an RSM... he is supposed to be a RETIRED RSM! He was hired by the characters played by Roger Moore and Richard Harris (both characters being retired British officers) to put their mercenaries through the paces and get them back into shape for the mission they are about to undertake. The RSM's first scene in the film is of him trimming rose bushes at home, for God's sake...
They're all a bit on the elderly side. Burton seemed more physically fit here than in "Where Eagles Dare", in which he was seven or eight years younger.
Not only that but he was a PT instructor in the Royal Navy. So he and Lee Emmy have something in common.
Love the scene of Richard Burton running (!) and his dyed toupe flapping around. When he sits down and has a beer (bet it was real) you can see it is almost off!! Roger moore said this was a great way to get the "old boys" together, Burton, Krueger, Watson, harris et al. I really like this movie, funny and cruel at the same time, and violent!!
My first C.S.M. in my Regiment..George Lawrence..hard firm and fair..reminds me of this fella...sadly no longer with us..RIP Sir..sorting them out upstairs
Saw this in the theater in 1978, Dad took me to my first R-rated movie and I had nightmares about it. Watching it again after a 30+ military career, and I previously spent time at the film’s Africa location I should say this is the most cornball nonsense ever. The Kariba landing scene “We had landing lights at Kariba, they didn’t need torches.” Silly. The whole mafia thing is silly also. And yet… I LOVE this movie! Richard Burton, Roger Moore and Richard Harris take over-acting to new heights and… oh, who cares, it’s awesome! Movies used to be FUN; turn your brain off here’s a STORY. Also I don’t think fire vehicles would need RSR stickers, but fine. It’s a movie!
I had a sergeant like Him when I was in the Air force when I was young. So many memories. Three years fighting the communists. I'm glad I survived.
Well in the movie he was retired and hated it and then colonel Faulkner showed up and gave him an offer he could not refuse.
I love this movie and this scene is so fantastic. It brings back some of my own boot camp memories. Semper Fi!
Reminds me of my old RSM when you saw him the regiment parted like the Red Sea
lets try for our first heart attack shall we. kills me every time i watch this movie
He's Rhodesian Army.
Whose for a clutcher then!!
Best PE teacher in the world!
One of the best "war" movies ever made. It brings me to tears at the end
This movie was the grandfather of the expendables …!!👍
" Let's try for our first Heart Attack, shall we? "
I love the Sgt Major.LOL Jack Watson was an excellent actor.
what a fantastic movie with so many wonderful actors
ɷɷɷ I Haveeee Watched Thiss Movie Leakedd Version Here : - t.co/RlKbv1hghK
Perhaps, the best war film ever.
1 of the best at least!!!
Probably the best and most iconic RSM in the history of the British Empire.
Fred B. late, but try Richard Attenborough in Guns At Batasi.
Try my great uncle Harry whose remains lay in Millecourt Cemetery on the Somme, killed while commanding an 8" howitzer. He told the medics; "Don't worry about me, see to my men first." after being struck by shrapnel from German counter-battery fire. 12 August 1916.
@@gulfrelay2249 Quite so Sir! To quote RSM Lauderdale "My knees are brown, my navel is central & my conscience is clear!!
Nobody can insult men like drill sergeants!
One of my favorite movies. If would have been awesome to deploy to Afghanistan with that Sgt Major.
Brilliant film. Never forgot it !! Saw it in 1981. By 1983 I was in the Paras. BTW.... I'm black.
i need this sergeant major to make me loose weigth!
"Any man who steps out of line and I will kill him so dead it will not worry me in the slightest!" The most marvelous line in any film, PERIOD! Moltke
It's even more marvelous when you get it right; it's "stone" dead.
@@FIREBRAND38 lol
i met jack watson the man who plays sandy on a bus in bath some years ago , we talked about the wild geese and other movies he had been in , he was a nice person
Wow....really?He died 15 years ago, are you in regular contact with the dead?
Maybe he was on drugs?
Mike Zavilla-Davies he said some years ago are you a mind reader it didn’t say how many years exactly
Have a look on Facebook for the wildgeese page...
Sandy played by actor Jack Watson in his younger days was in the film The Hill made 1965.
Mr Jacko King great actor played by Ossie David
"....can expect a infinitely more ' orrible time than they care to remember..." Sounds like the reign of bad King Barrack. Thank God for 306. !!
"The Badge", telling the CO what to do since the dawn of warfare. See also: RSM, The "Regimental Scary Monster".
Sandy calling Alan sir all the way through the film even when asked not too,then as he gets shot at the end he calls out “Alan”😢😢😢
I love this film. The RSM was my fave.
if someone falls from exhaustion you must serve them with a swift, harsh kick to the stomach
7 people couldn't cope with the lacking of Queen's Regulations here.
British army Sargent Major's are scary, which is why British soldiers are so good.
I love the contrast between Sandy here and Hartman from Full Metal Jacket. They may differ in their approach but are so effective.
Dam right! I spent years on the British Army, frontline soldier back in the early 80's. Sergeant major's? Total barstards!! Lol.
@@chriswilde7246 the better the bastard Sargent Major, the better the soldier! 😎
@@ardiekepoo744 Yes totally agree...👍
Fun to watch, and even more memorable to participate in.
SSM John Silver 2RTR, one of the meanest SNCO's ive ever met, also one of the few men id follow without question.
Me and my buddy whistled the theme from this movie as we marched into the plane for our first jump at Airborne school.
And why not? Fantastic soundtrack…
That's Cpl. Peacock, one of the Devil's own.
I thought he died during WWII.
nice way to motivate those taps
my favourite scene in the film :D
love this scene.
Best scene in the movie.
God Help Us...here comes the Sergeant Major
made me to remember Capt.J.L.Tucker during my basic pre sea training at bombay back in 1988 , he used to be the biggest f....r as far as we were concerned ,but man ......did we develop respect for him?....... ENORMOUS is the least word I can use to express it.
He practised to the last action what he drilled us on........... as did the RSM character sandy in the movie.
GOD BLESS HIS SOUL.
Yah, there was a certain Sergeant Zajac up at Camp Pendleton, when I spent a brief time in the tender loving care of the USMC back in the summer of 1974. Christ, I hated his fucking guts, but I did respect the man, no doubt.
I think I have watched this movie many times, one of the best movie you must watch.
I love the way that the Sandy Watson character is able to intimidate / cajole / bully & insult his SENIOR officers in this clip :-) He still calls them "Sir" .
There's a line in a film about a British officer training establishment. The WO2 instructor makes the point that they will call each other "Sir" but only one of them will mean it.
In the movie, on 2 occasions Moore ( when doing the parachute training) and Harris ( during the parade ground training) called the RSM " Sir".
I think it's because it takes less energy ( and breath) to say " Yes Regimental Sergeant Major"
And I thought all the British were polite.
That was being polite.
@@franticstorm7411 ...true, very true!!! He had mellowed out quite a bit after he retired!!!
I LOVE THIS MOVIE !
That was the point - they were suppose to be too old. Hence in the script Jack Watson asks 'Not too old???'
Col Mike Hoare was on location and acted as Military Adviser . He is so listed amongst the credits
Ian Yule who played 'Tosh' (The sergeant who in the recruiting scene had become a plumber, and used the chopped down FN-FAL)- had been one of Mad Mike's crew and it was because of Ian, that Mike was hired as an advisor.
No not quite, Sir Richard died in 1984. This movie was released in 1978. Burton was slated to star in the sequel, but died before filming began. Yes, poor Burton looks like he was about to pass on after this physical ordeal. Great actor, may he rest in peace.
sandy reminds me of my old rugby coach
I joined up with the goal in mind of being just like him.
I hv the Blu-ray & DVD to this Great movie.
In the film had an actor which was former in SAS, the Irish actor wearing the cap badge of the Royal Green Jackets
hahahaha, can you honestly imagine these silly old sods making for a convincing fighting unit???? a great film nevertheless and a classic of the war genre
Your worst nightmare if you didn't do what he told you to do.
RSM = Pitbull from hell!
Or in the U.S.: the Command Sergeant Major
Faithfulness unto death. So beautiful....
I don't care what country, we all have fond memories of our first encounter with the drill sergeant, DI, RSM, CSM, et cetera. They were just teaching us how to survive as a grunt. I hated mine at first but I still remember each of their names and faces. I also still remember my senior drill sergeant's favorite saying, "Private put your bottom and top lips together.....SO NO MORE CRAP FALLS OUTTA IT!!!"
I think this guy was my old school teacher.
Any place, any time, a drill sgt. is a drill sgt.
wonderful film
The dogs 🐕 🥜 s 😂😂😂
you're a remarkable man, colonel faulkner
Tuning a bunch of mostly middle-aged warriors into fighting trim is a job I'd not wish on any DSM.
Fantastic film. All actors were great. Nothing to match this by Hollywood crap. Sincerely Ex Brit Para of th 1950's and 60's .................Good old Jack Watson............
JACK WATSON Is Blood Awesome, I adore his acting in TOBRUK and THE DEVIL's BRIGADE and he did a small role in this Great TV Miniseries call MASADA and i was caught by Surprise, he played an Excellent Roman Soldier. What a Great Sargent Major Jack Watson Portrayed.
Ah, yes...the good old RSM...the biggest c**t on the planet when you were in basic, but when you look back, you can't help but get all dewey eyed at the thought of the old fucker. (If he's dead, he's found gainful employment in some unimaginable level of hell!)
Here here ha.
Damn right!
efnissien And we all know how he died!
efnissien very true words
efnissien very true words
You got that right Mac.
my dad and his and his dad were soliders..I lap it up!
Good on yer, Ulster.
I hate to change the subject but very good scene! Very funny too!
Ahhh Reminds me of my days in the Grenadiers.
Presenting The Right Honourable Sir Lord R. Lee of Ermey!
Hope I Said that right. I’m American. 😂😂
My favourite scene
The mercenaries in african ops in the late 70's & early 80's were generally total fiasco's. Badly paid, with troops with dubious backgrounds, some were just fantasists like Costas Georgiu in Angola in 1975 (AKA 'Col. Callan' - who would have struggled to make a lance cpl in the British army. Jailed for an (on duty) armed robbery was made a Colonel after 'oversleeping', finding his unit had moved on, the telling everyone he'd singlehandedly wiped out a battalion while returning to his lines...)
efnissien
Read 'Firepower' - very well written and detailed account of the madness and utter mayhem of Col Callan's Mercs. ( Book written by Dave Tompkins and Chris Dempster).
For the Civilians, When you are in the army, you have to follow the orders of the instructor even if he is just a corporal and you an officer. I remember a Captain doing the Air-borne course and a corporal was his superior during the course,because he was the instructor. He was frustrated and threatened the corporal,but couldn't do nothing against him. When he was finished the captain was so grateful with the instructor that he gave a party for all of us who had the same course.
As long as you add 'Sir' to the insult they're fair game.
I like the part when Lt. Finn ( Roger Moore) during the jumping exercise reluctantly called the RSM "Sir"
This is a great film. seen it too many times!
Me too. Know it word for word. Just like Quadrophenia for me.
@@andypeterson3070 and Zulu you gotta add that to your list 👍
@@jamietobin4161 Oh it is mate. I've got a hell of a long list. I love my movies and have literally 100's of dvd's. Watched more than ever now with this lock down and the crap they put on the telly.
@@andypeterson3070 have a look at The Hill it’s got some classic one liners 👍
@@jamietobin4161 I'll look out for it.
Rsm is used in every army in the commonwealth including Canada and Jamaica
i liked this and pancho villa too lol
Sounds just like my old Chief...
Here there is no queens regulations .😅😅😅
RIGHT...LETS DRIVE TO OUR FIRST HEART ATTACK TODAY...SHALL WE???
reminds me of my old f.c.a.days
Fun to watch, but for those who have had a Colour Sergeant it means a bit more.
But what does it mean if they call you a fuckin abortion?
Raiken, please tell everyone that you are not that slow.
Gustave Kropff lol It was a joke not directed at you but with reference to the film. In any case after all, most of us here are only "civies".
Raiken, no worries. The one thing about all of the Colour Sergeants I ever met was the fact they never asked their men to do something they themselves were incapable of.
+Gustave Kropff The Colour Bloke is a potential RSM, making him the biggest Company bastard going. Nice one, Gustav. I am pleased this sort of quality behaviour of Warrant Officers is not confined to the British Army!
Ah.. the modern P.C caring shairing british army training system it never fails.
Legendary actors 👏 a great show from so many a film 🎥 can make,Richard Burton,Roger Moore the Wild geese a film tribute and triumph,SUPERB film 🎥
The RSM was suppose to be old in this film, this is part of the script and is totally intended, Jack Watson was perfectly cast.
Roger Moore cannot be considered the only star of this movie. Camelot was far from a flop and went on to earn Harris Millions of pounds world wide, and both Burton and Harris were internationally renown stars in 1976 when the film was shot. The berets in the films actually come from a variety of different regiments and are not all Parachute Berets.
Friend of mine was the publicist.Great movie about real men- the kind who saved the Congo from barbarism and were stabbed in the back in Rhodesia.
Merc work.
my old man lol !!
RSM == Regimental Sergeant Major in the British Army or British Royal Marines
@ Tim - Agreed on Jack Watson being a fantastic RSM - he actually reminds me of one bastard I knew...(and I mean 'bastard' as a term of endearment) Only Windsor Davies is in the same league.
@ Jexington - there are some great lines in the film, like Flynn's line on being told one of their options might be surrender "I'd sooner let Witty treat my haemerrroids..." Do like RSM 'Sandy's' introduction...
Great movie
He reminds me of my old Sgtmaj Gordon Gask.
Our country isnt dying. And if it was a revolution wouldnt help it. What exactly would we want to revolt against? the Queen? The Church? the EU?