Talk:The Wild Geese

McTaggartts silenced pistol

Is the pistol fitted with a suppressor used by Sgt.Jock McTaggart a Colt M1911A1?It's certainly not a suppressed P38 as used by Lt.Shaun Fynn in the same sequence.

the problem is that we never get a good look at the pistol. I was screen capping this movie and the lack of a clear shot of Jock's gun was vexing. MoviePropMaster2008 22:50, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

Roger Moore's Handgun

The handgun used by Roger Moore in the London scenes [when he kills Randy and when the mafia hitmen come after him at the club] is not a Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic; M1911A1 as indicated. It is a SIG P-210. This is especially evident when he points it in Richard Burton's face when Burton is at the door of the loft above the club.

Brook Williams

In the second picture [taken from the film] under the L1A1 SLR entry...the actor standing next to Glyn Baker is Brook Williams...his character's name in the film is Samuels. He was a good friend of Richard Burton [and personal assistant] and appears in bit parts in a number of Richard Burton films. He is the same mercenary that RSM Young calls a "f***ing abortion" because he can't get up and then RSM Young shoots at him [while he is laying on the ground] during the training scenes. BTW RSM Young uses a Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic; M1911A1 in those scenes...yet this is not mentioned.

The Mafia Hit

Only one weapon is mentioned [the Ingram Model 10] in the listings that was used during the mafia hit on Roger Moore's character in London. There are a number of small arms in these scenes as follows:

Richard Burton: snub-nose [2-inch] Colt Detective Special [or similar Colt handgun - it is definately a Colt but I am not positive on what model it is]

Roger Moore: SIG P-210

Richard Harris: MkII Grenade and a Smith & Wesson short barreled revolver [looks to be a 3-inch] - it appears to be a Model 27 - but again [like Burton's Colt] I know it is a Smith & Wesson but it could be one of a number of models with a shrouded ejector rod.

Mafia Hitman Nr.1 [in trenchcoat]: as previously stated - an Ingram Model 10

Mafia Hitman Nr.2 [in leather coat]: Walther P.38

Mafia Hitman Nr.3 [blonde with long hair and mustache; blue suit]: Beretta M1951 "Brigadier"

Mafia Hitman Nr.4 [dark hair; black suit]: Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic; M1911A1

Mafia Hitman Nr.5 [blonde hair; dark suit]: Colt Python with 6-inch barrel

Mafia Hitman Nr.6 [the one that yells that the contract has been withdrawn]: Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic; M1911A1

Thanks Dear Mystery user (since NONE of you guys after a certain point have a USER ID). Yes, I knew about these pistols during the hit on Shawn but it was hard to screencap them since they are seen so fleetingly. Anyway, thanks for the edit, I will specifically try to screencap these guys, but these pistols were very hard to see in a still frame. MPM2008

Richard Burton's Suppressed Handgun

The suppressed handgun used by Richard Burton at the end of the film is a Beretta M1934.

Excellent! Thanks mystery user! :) MPM2008

Percy Herbert

In the first image [from the film] under the L1A1 SLR entry...the mercenary in the middle is actor Percy Herbert. His character's name in the film is Keith. He [like Brook Williams] appears in numerous scenes. He is the mercenary Kenneth Griffith calls "chubby cheeks" when they are writing out wills. He is also the same mercenary seen in the second image [from the film] under the FN LAR entry...the one who ends up being shot in the head. Also Richard Burton does not carry a "FN LAR" as erroneously stated in the same entry. The FN he is holding in the image is the one Percy Herbert is carrying. If one watches the scene, when the fence is being cut, Percy Herbert hands his FN to Burton so he, Herbert, can hold the fence while it is cut.

A little trivia...Percy Herbert was a Second World War veteran and was captured by the Japanese. He appears in The Bridge Over The River Kwai as an actor and consultant. Allegedly he is the one that suggested to the director of the film that the soldiers should whistle "Colonel Bogey" while they marched.

Ian Yule's Weapon

The "R1 Battle Carbine" that is listed as being used by Ian Yule is a chopped L1A1. The sight is a SinglePoint "red-dot" sight [seen in films like Star Wars and used by U.S. troops during the infamous Son Tay raid during the Vietnam War]. Another thing about the weapon is it is seen throughout the film with the 30-round cartridge magazine from the L4-series Bren [the 7,62mm conversion of the Bren gun]. The 7,62mm 30-round cartridge magazine from the L4-series will fit in a L1A1 but since the L4-series is top-fed the cartridge magazine does not usually work well with the bottom fed L1A1 [it's spring is weaker since the L4-series relies on gravity to feed the rounds from the cartridge magazine into the weapon]. FYI - there was never a proprietary L1A1 30-round cartridge magazine, only 20-round cartridge magazines, this is why the L4-series cartridge magazine was sometimes utilized by troops.

• Sorry to correct you but, The Australian SAS used L1A1's in Vietnam with 30 round "straight" cartridge magazines. Also as Donaldson was supposed to be an experienced soldier, could he not replace the spring? as he certainly would know how to remove it.

• You are correct about the Australian magazines...but the one in the film is curved...hence a L4-series magazine. So to correct my original statement...there were no British proprietary 30-round magazines for their L1A1 SLR. Furthermore to assume that the spring was replaced by the film character would be something I would think is beyond the scope of this website. I'm sure that for Hollywood usage the magazine was probably not loaded to full capacity if they had experienced any jamming on the film set. Of course without being able to converse with the film's armourer - we will probably never know exactly how the magazine was used, modified, etc. A side note - according to some biographies of Ian Yule he also served as an uncredited assistant weapons handler on the film set.

• Theres an episode of The Professionals (Heroes) where theres an FAL with a L4 type magazine,could the show's armourers be the same as the film's?

There's a picture of the FAL with the L4 magazine in the professionals page.Oliveira 19:18, 31 May 2009 (UTC)

• As for the magazine, it might simply be a 30 round magazine for the L2A1 Canadian SAW version of the FAL. Since Canadian FALs were of inch pattern, the 30 round L2A1 mag would fit on a British L1A1 receiver.

Just a little bit of trivia: It appears an "R1 carbine", if not in fact the exact same weapon, appeared in the movie "Firepower" with James Coburn. The trailer is on Youtube and the R1 can be seen near the end being fired by James Coburn from the back of a jeep, and again being fired from a helicopter. Here's the trailer: [1]--Phillb36 22:31, 1 December 2010 (UTC)

The mystery is solved! This is a letter from Ian Yule himself: http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2010/12/03/mystery-of-the-short-barreled-fal-is-solved/. The weapon is a prototype short barreled FAL, developed in Britain. It has a single point dot reflex sight, four 40 round magazines, a special sling, a flash eliminator, and a bayonet.

• Wow! Thanks a million!Foofbun 02:10, 4 December 2010 (UTC)

For the record here is the information I removed from the page. There is still interesting information regarding R1s that some folks may find useful somewhere on IMFDB.

"It was said that Tosh was supposed to have an R1 style variant as he is ex-SAS which made him special. I heard this weapon was an experimental weapon for South African Paratroops but never got adopted. R-1 Battle Rifle. Full sized FN-FAL metric variant. Originally wooden stocked later issued with synthetic stock and often camouflaged by the end user with a hand applied series of paints. For more information check out: http://www.saaaca.org.za/links/SIG/fal/fal.htm"

Wild Geese II sniper rifle

In the sequel Edward Fox's character (Alex Faulkner) uses a sniper rifle described in the end credits as a 'Survivor rifle'. It was provided by a Don McNabb, does anyone have any information on this weapon?

Though it is off topic I believe the weapon was a highly modified Safari Arms .45 which, a la "The Man From UNCLE", had an extended barrel, was equipped with a special stock, mount for a telescopic sight and a custom suppressor of some sort. I read something about it in Soldier of Fortune the year the movie came out. --Charon68 20:19, 2 April 2010 (UTC)

Now THIS is what I call an action movie

This movie is one of the only true action movies I have seen in a long while. More than 4 people actually die in this movie, unlike most modern action films, and the plot is pretty solid. This movie deserves a remake and a videogame-S&Wshooter 02:33, 19 July 2009 (UTC)

I agree, you don't see many movies were lots of main character walk in and only a hand full walk out. or have endings like the magnificent seven or this film where where losses did nothing in the end

Sa. 24

Sa. 24 (originaly "Samopal vzor 24") is verison of Sa.23 fixed stock, in 7,62x25, version with folding stock is Sa.25 (9x19) or Sa.26 (7,62x25). SMG in movie is Sa.25.

Vickers Gun

Could someone please provide a photo and info on the Vickers Heavy Machine Gun used near the end of the film? An interesting theme of the film is not only are the leads played by 1950's British stars but they use older equipment as the film progresses, i.e. a Vickers Gun, and the airstrip escape from a Dakota as opposed to a C-130.Foofbun 22:37, 1 April 2010 (UTC)

1950s stars? well most of them started and did a lot of work in the 1950s but they were established international movie stars by the time this film was made so I wouldn't describe them merely as 1950s stars. Also there wasn't a theme of older guns, it was the mercs scrounging for anything they could use and there were a lot of left over guns in Africa from the previous decades. Like the Blindicide, I don't recall any of them carrying one into the para drop, but they could have picked up one from the prison camp when they killed all the guards. Most of them still used what they brought with them into the country (Uzis, Fals, Sterlings, etc.) so I wouldn't consider it to be a thematic 'change' for them to use older weapons as the film progresses. MoviePropMaster2008 19:11, 2 April 2010 (UTC)

Thanks everyone! Don't forget the original choice for RSM Sandy Young was Stephen Boyd (who according to Euan Lloyd would have done his character's voice in his native Belfast accent).Foofbun 22:56, 3 April 2010 (UTC)

Remake

Supposed to come out this year http://www.movieweb.com/movie/the-wild-geese - S&Wshooter 21:21, 2 June 2010 (UTC)

This page needs some work

Weapon titles that hyperlinked and it only shows one category which is movie. Anyway just thought I would point that out. I'd do the corrections, but I'm not a moderator. --Jcordell 00:37, 7 June 2010 (UTC)

Okay now that I have admin privliges I'll start the work. --Jcordell 21:10, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

Okay that's a little neater. Was this one of the first pages to be done? --Jcordell 01:36, 7 August 2010 (UTC)

Jeez, none of us are as perfect as YOU checkman! MoviePropMaster2008 02:31, 7 August 2010 (UTC)

Ah well it is true some of us are more blessed than others. But being perfect is a terrible burden. Consider your self lucky that you are so ordinary.Revel in your mediocrity. LOL. --Jcordell 12:57, 7 August 2010 (UTC)

Please tell me that you know I'm kidding.I'm not POI after all. --Jcordell 12:57, 7 August 2010 (UTC)

Richard Burton's Uzi

IMI Uzi used by Richard Burton in the film The Wild Geese. One of four identical Uzis used on set. Photo courtesy of the Long Mountain Outfitters

Ian's rifle

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2010/12/03/mystery-of-the-short-barreled-fal-is-solved/ Forgot how to sign /noe

weapons in book

I finally got around to reading the book the movie was based off of. The mercs and Simbas all use AK-47's, RPD's, unnamed handguns, a bazooka, and the Crossbow featured in the movie. The FAL, which is used exstensively in the film, only appears once in the book (as far as I kno)-S&Wshooter 07:59, 13 February 2011 (UTC)

Shawn's 1911

I'm watching the movie again and from what I can see I'm not totally sure that Shawn uses a Colt 1911 as stated in the article. I'm thinking of the gun used in the scene where Alan meets with Shawn at the casino. That gun in my mind doesn't look like the colt 1911. I thought it perhaps is a copy made by "Star" or similiar but havent found one that matches it exactly. If I'm wrong and this is a Colt 1911 featured in the movie, is it a special version or something? Dudster32 14:10, 13 June 2011 (CDT)

I got a pic of the gun Dudster32 02:43, 14 June 2011 (CDT)

I guess you didn't see the topic on this page entitled "The Mafia Hit." Sean's pistol is a SIG P-210.--Phillb36 07:38, 14 June 2011 (CDT)

No I didnt see that. How come the identity of the gun isnt shown in the main article? Dudster32 09:47, 15 June 2011 (CDT)

Nevermind, I've updated the article to reflect this plus uploaded images.

The Revolvers

I've tried to take some good photos of the revolvers Faulkner, Rafer and the hitman are using in the movie. The photos are up now. I'm unsure of their identification though. The hitman appears to carry a Colt Python but from what I can see it could actually be a Colt Diamondback with 6 inch barrel In any case, if you more experienced guys would take a look at the screens and try your best to ID them I would be greatful. :) Dudster32 06:08, 25 August 2011 (CDT)

FAL's vs UZI's

First of all I want to say that I love this movie and have been watching it since i was young. They really do not make them like this anymore.

The thing that has always struck me as odd is that the UZI's chambered in 9mm were SO much louder than all the FAL's in the film which almost sound suppressed. I know Mad Mike Hoare was in on the making of this movie and I wonder why this mistake was made. This is most easily noticed in the scene where Peter and Jessie take turns firing on approaching Simbas as they flee the river bank after Whitty's death.--Mrmojo32 19:52, 25 January 2012 (CST)

ID your posts or no one will answer them (for the most part). MoviePropMaster2008 19:33, 25 January 2012 (CST)

I think I have it right now. Sorry this is my first posting. --Mrmojo32 19:53, 25 January 2012 (CST)

Welcome to the team :). Its one of my favorite movies as well and I do agree that they dont make them like this anymore. As for your comment. The uzi-sounds of the movie is not original: meaning they werent made for the movie but taken from at least one other movie. That particular weapon sound was used for the Sterling guns used in the James Bond movie "The Spy who loved me". In order words the uzi sounds are recycled and not "reliable" unless someone knows specifically that those sounds were recorded from a genuine Uzi from the beginning. As for the FN FAL I agree..Sounds very "subdued" for lack of better words. Perhaps those sounds were recycled too from possibly an unreleated weapon. Dudster32 11:42, 26 January 2012 (CST)

They are "stock" sound effects, meaning they are generic gunshots that are from a sound effects library. So when the sound man needs to dub in the sound of an uzi, as in this case, he pulls out a tape(I'm just guessing, but at the time this movies was made it was probably on a reel to reel) and cues it up to the cut that's probably named something like "submachine gun firing". I have always called the the gunshot sounds such as the ones used in Wild Geese "British Sound Effects", because they can be heard used over and over in British movies from about the Mid 60's through the 80's. The particular gunshot effect used for the uzi sounds somewhat like the real life sound of a Sten gun. Whether or not a sound effects man recorded a Sten gun firing and "enhanced" it to create the "British" submachine gun sound effect, I do not know.--Phillb36 13:08, 26 January 2012 (CST)

A lot of those came from the stock BBC film library of sound effects. They all sound the same. I've seen films where an XM-177E2 sounded just like a Sten gun. the BBC recorded all manner of World war 2 sound effects, so all of their movie gun noises for the longest time were either British or German WW2 weapons. I remember the gunfire in A Bridge Too Far sounding weird. The MP40s sounded like MG42s. etc. etc. Come on guys. You all KNOW movie gun noises are never recorded LIVE. They would blow out the microphones if the microphones were set to record any other sound. Ever seen behind the scenes shots of guys shooting guns in a film? The gunfire tops out the auto-LIMITERS on the mikes, and makes them sound muffled (this is done to protect the microphone equipment from damage). All those great gun sound effects are all done in controlled environments with special recording equipment and then edited into the movie later. MoviePropMaster2008 15:06, 26 January 2012 (CST)

You're right about A Bridge Too Far. I remember there is one scene where the generic submachine gun sound effect that we have just been discussing is used for an MG-34! While we are on the subject of these stock sound effects, there is gunshot that is used for pistols that can be heard all the time in British productions. It can be heard in this clip from Octopussy on Youtube; just jump to the part where Bond kills Orlov's guards and listen to the sound of his pistol: [2] A classic "British" sound effect from the BBC library.--Phillb36 21:58, 26 January 2012 (CST)

If we are continuing on the topic of stock-footage/sounds, check out this clip from the movie "The Longest Day". I think they've used more individual weapon sounds to make that movie than there are war-movies! YouTube clip. Dudster32 10:49, 27 January 2012 (CST)

Arms embargo comment

Under the section for the shortened L1A1 there is the following comment: "For many years, fans of the film assumed the weapon was a South African R1 Variant, but information directly from the actor reminds us that there was an arms embargo against South Africa during the 1970s (because of apartheid). This was a custom made L1A1 carbine that came from a UK Movie armory". I don't understand this comment, as this was famously filmed in South Africa, meaning that an arms embargo would mean it was more likely that they would be using South African weapons rather than less right? I'm not disputing that this is a custom L1A1 (it has the L1A1 type carry handle and sights along with not having an actual flash hider just cuts in shortened the barrel), I just don't understand this comment. If there was no problem with them using South African weapons contrary to this comment, that would also explain Hardy Krueger's rifle, which appears to be an R1 (wooden stock with metal ferrule, plastic handguard and straight ribbed carry handle). --commando552 06:10, 27 January 2012 (CST)

Custom L1A1 Carbine Photoshop

After seeing the second appearance of the custom L1A1 carbine in Firepower, I made a quick photoshop of the gun for illustrative purposes. The scope isn't the right model and there aren't any cuts in the barrel, but would anyone mind if I put this up on the main page? --Markit 11:33, 16 April 2012 (CDT)

L1A1 rifle edited to resemble the custom made L1A1 carbine, as seen in the films The Wild Geese and Firepower.

I made an attempt at this a while ago but forgot about it till seeing yours. This one has the correct sight (I think it called an Armson OEG or something like that but not sure) and the cuts on the barrel (not necessarily correct, but representative). --commando552 12:28, 16 April 2012 (CDT)

The sight is an Armson Occluded Eye Gunsight, pretty much a 60s version of a red dot. Your right eye is blocked by the sight and only sees the tube (and its bright red dot) and your left eye sees what you're looking at. Together your eyes form an image with the red dot on top of it. I'd recommend looking at their website if only to see the hilarious photoshop jobs that are their flyers.-Ranger01 19:13, 16 April 2012 (CDT)

The sight is a Single Point OEG Sight that is mounted on the custom L1A1 not an Armson OEG. It is the same type of sight use in the Son Tay Raid in 1970. The Armson sight did not come out until the 80's as an improved OEG based on the Single Point.--phoenixent 10:04, 17 April 2012 (CDT)

Hm, I thought Armson was the original (then again I haven't really researched much into the OEGs) guess one learns new things every day.-Ranger01 18:52, 17 April 2012 (CDT)

Barnett Wildcat Crossbow

Lt. Pieter Coetze (Hardy Krüger) uses a Barnett Wildcat Crossbow w/wooden stock to shoot poison darts when infiltrating the Simba Barracks. The Wildcat Crossbow was made from 1972 - 1985

Barnett Wildcat Crossbow

Lt. Pieter Coetze (Hardy Krüger) readies his Barnett Wildcat Crossbow.

Lt. Pieter Coetze (Hardy Krüger) fires his Barnett Wildcat Crossbow.

uniforms

Not gun-related but I'm curious anyways: What are the uniforms the Mercs are using? South-African military? (Movie was shot there), or maybe British contemporary uniforms? Dudester32 (talk) 07:40, 26 May 2014 (EDT)

They are wearing British DPM, probably the P68 uniform. Also, the Simbas appear to be wearing Denison smocks, a camouflage jacket developed for British paratroopers during WWII. --commando552 (talk) 12:46, 26 May 2014 (EDT)

Cool! Thanks man! Dudester32 (talk) 13:57, 26 May 2014 (EDT)

Roger Moore

That scene in the beginning where Shawn Fynn made that brat eat the heroin was more badass than all of Roger Moore's Bond films combined. I'm actually angry now, given how his talents were wasted. What a damn shame. --Funkychinaman (talk) 04:29, 13 June 2014 (EDT)

IIRC that scene in the book was done by the character in the film eventually played by Richard Harris. Written as an American the first choice for the role was Burt Lancaster who knocked it back as he felt overshadowed by Richard Burton and Roger Moore, then the screen Bond. My fave Roger Moore film is FfolkesFoofbun (talk) 03:06, 14 June 2014 (EDT)

A real Blindicide rocket

Just in case anyone wondered about my article comment about how the round looks more like a Mortar round, here is a genuine set of projectiles for the Blindicide. Dudester32 (talk) 15:57, 24 July 2015 (EDT)

Sandy's 1911

Is it possible to find out what sort of 1911 was used by Sandy? A regular .45 1911 or one that was produced for the forces of the UK during WWII, in the caliber .455 Webley? --Exodianecross (talk) 17:58, 2 April 2019 (EDT)