THE SEA WOLVES (1980: Dir. Andrew V. McLaglen)
What began in 1961 with The Guns of Navarone now comes full circle almost twenty years later as two of its stars are reunited for a geriatric WWII marine sabotage operation that given the respective ages of the actors, now seems more impossible than ever. Based on a true story, The Sea Wolves is the third in a zestful trilogy of films starring Roger Moore and directed by Andrew V. McLaglen, following the mercenary adventure The Wild Geese (1978) and the eccentric terrorist thriller North Sea Hijack a.k.a. ffolkes (1979). With a cast whose average age is over 60 years old, one can't expect the kind of rip-roaring action that normally comes with war movies. However, there are compensations to be had from stars Gregory Peck, David Niven and Trevor Howard, in jovial collaboration with such veteran supporting players as Patrick Macnee (The Avengers), Kenneth Griffith (I'm All Right Jack) and John Standing (The Eagle Has Landed). For James Bond completists, Roger Moore even gets a chance to don a tuxedo for a deadly dinner date with stiletto-wielding femme fatale Barbara Kellerman. Other behind-the camera Bond alumni are on hand to lend their expertise as well, including editor John Glen (Moonraker), production designer Syd Cain (On Her Majesty's Secret Service) and main titles designer Maurice Binder (Thunderball). Old fashioned entertainment to say the least, but also a rousing episode of WWII history, enthusiastically directed and performed with craft and wit. DVD
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