Wild Geese II
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Founder | Euan Lloyd (producer) |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Action-thriller film |
Wild Geese II is a 1985 British action-thriller film directed by Peter R. Hunt, adapted from Daniel Carney's 1982 novel The Square Circle. The storyline centers on a group of mercenaries tasked with rescuing Rudolf Hess from Spandau Prison in Berlin. Serving as a follow-up to the 1978 movie The Wild Geese, which was also produced by Euan Lloyd and based on Carney's writing, this sequel stars Edward Fox portraying the brother of Allen Faulkner, taking over the role originally played by Richard Burton, who passed away prior to production. None of the original characters return in this installment.
Plot
- Africa, 1977
Seasoned mercenary Allen Faulkner commands a force of 50 soldiers on a mission to liberate deposed President Julius Limbani. Although initially successful, the operation falls apart under enemy assault. With only his comrade Rafer Janders remaining, Faulkner is compelled to take Janders' life to prevent their capture.
- London, 1982
Rudolf Hess, the last remaining Nazi prisoner, possesses information that could jeopardize influential individuals. An international news organization approaches mercenary Alex Faulkner with a contract to free Hess; he declines but suggests John Haddad instead.
John Haddad, a former Lebanese-American soldier, narrowly escapes assassination attempts by Palestinian operatives in London before accepting the assignment to extract Hess from West Berlin. Upon arrival, Haddad surveys Spandau Prison while disguised as a jogger and construction worker, formulating an escape plan. He is eventually captured and tortured by Karl Stroebling, a Soviet-aligned Nazi officer. Haddad manages to flee and recuperates in a hospital where British Colonel Reed-Henry grows suspicious of his activities.
Seeking privacy for planning, Haddad retreats to Bavaria accompanied by network executives Michael and Kathy Lukas and enlists Faulkner's protection. Reed-Henry reveals that British authorities aim to remove Hess to diminish Soviet military influence. After surviving another assassination attempt with Faulkner's aid, Haddad confronts Stroebling, who demands both Hess and Faulkner be handed over; Haddad refuses these terms.
The extraction plan involves disguising mercenaries as British military police with assistance from former prison warden James Murphy. To ensure Stroebling's cooperation, Haddad includes Patrick Hourigan—Stroebling’s man—in the team. Training proceeds until Murphy kills Hourigan following a dispute.
Haddad also recruits employees of Arab businessman Mustapha El Ali and retains Michael Lukas as leverage against Stroebling. When Stroebling abducts Kathy, Haddad must reinstate Hourigan into the operation to guarantee her safety. During the mission, Michael dies creating a diversion while Haddad rescues Kathy.
The operation continues with Hess sedated and replaced by a corpse for extraction. At the rendezvous point, Reed-Henry realizes he has been tricked into killing Stroebling disguised as a guard. Haddad’s team smuggles Hess through a football match to an East German airport, killing a customs officer during their escape. Reed-Henry concedes defeat and takes his own life.
- Epilogue
In Vienna, Hess overhears Kathy discussing the rescue and Michael’s death. Offered freedom, Hess chooses instead to return voluntarily to Spandau Prison. The following day he surrenders at the French embassy. Media outlets dismiss rumors regarding his escape.
Cast
- Scott Glenn as John Haddad
- Barbara Carrera as Kathy Lukas
- Edward Fox as Alex Faulkner
- Laurence Olivier as Rudolf Hess
- Robert Webber as Robert McCann
- Kenneth Haigh as Colonel Reed-Henry
- Stratford Johns as Mustapha El Ali
- John Terry as Michael Lukas
- Robert Freitag as Karl Stroebling
- Ingrid Pitt as Hooker
- Patrick Stewart as Russian general
- Paul Antrim as RSM. Murphy
- Derek Thompson as Patrick Hourigan
- Michael N. Harbour as Ilya, KGB man
- David Lumsden as Joseph
- Frederick Warder as Jamil
- Malcolm Jamieson as Pierre
- Billy Boyle as Devenish
Production
While the original movie did not achieve strong results in the United States, it performed more favorably overseas. In April 1984, Richard Burton and Scott Glenn were announced as the lead actors. Roger Moore chose not to return to his role, expressing dissatisfaction with the sequel’s screenplay. Although Lewis Collins was originally contracted for the main part, the role eventually went to American actor Scott Glenn.
Burton intended to retire for six months following filming but tragically passed away from an intracerebral hemorrhage in August 1984, shortly before production commenced. Producer Euan Lloyd had recently visited him and observed that Burton seemed in good health and had successfully completed his medical examination. Edward Fox stepped in to replace Burton.
In January 1985, Thorn EMI agreed to co-finance a £38 million package comprising five films, one of which was Wild Geese 2. The movie begins with a tribute to Burton alongside a recap of the first installment. Laurence Olivier, cast as Rudolf Hess at age 77, was in delicate health and required nursing care during shooting; he also experienced memory difficulties. Edward Fox recalled Olivier struggling with delivering an extensive monologue. Actress Ingrid Pitt described him as "very old and frail but gallant." Hess’s son commended Olivier’s remarkable resemblance.
Patrick Stewart appeared briefly as a Russian general, accepting the part primarily to cover home renovation expenses; he later described it as his most embarrassing role.