The Wild Geese (1979)

Plot: A British banker hires a group of British mercenaries to rescue an African politician from a corrupt Dictator.
Stars:  Roger Moore, Richard Burton, Stewart Granger, Hardy Kruger, Richard Harris

The Wild Geese is a "boys-own-adventure" with some over-the-hill mercenaries on a rescue mission in deepest, darkest, Africa.  Its one of those action movies that the public likes and the critics hate.  The most enjoyable feature is the all-star cast that delivers the goods. We have Granger as the arrogant, slimy Banker, Burton as the capable commander, Harris as "the planner", Kruger as the Boer who "knows Africa", and Moore as the cocky, jack-of-all-trades.  Assisting are Jack Watson, Ronald Fraser, and  Winston Ntshona.  Every one gets their chance to shine and a few get a heroic death. In other reviews, Stewart Granger is rarely mentioned. but his scenes with Burton are the best in the film.   The Direction is capable.

Wild Geese does have some flaws.  Poor old Richard Burton looks to be in his mid-sixties (he was actually 53) and often wanting a comfy chair and a whisky.  Its a tad too long at 2 hours and 15  minutes, and  finally, some of action scenes look low-budget and/or silly.  For example, wouldn't well trained mercenaries know that you get out of your truck *immediately* when under air attack, and why were they attacking a barracks with 200 men in broad daylight?

Summary:  A solid, 1970s action-adventure film with a good cast.  If you want a deep, sophisticated movie about the problems of Africa, look elsewhere.