Did you people see the same film I saw?

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Lots of derring-do, espionage, exotic locations, debonair, and action and thrills. A superb cast of actors and a great supporting cast too. Gregory Peck, David Niven & Roger Moore were good pals off-screen and they have great chemistry on. It's a film based on true events and real ex-Servicemen - British special operations during World War II, Operation Postmaster (1942) and Operation Creek (1943) - though it combines them both into one single story.

..."We all do." No I'm not talking about "The Expendables 2", but actually from the film this bit of dialogue was actually stolen from; the 1980 boy's own adventure "The Sea Wolves". A classy, star-studded cast (Gregory Peck, Roger Moore, David Niven, Patrick MacNee, Trevor Howard, Kenneth Griffith and Patrick Allen) features in this rather dull, if big-scale old-fashion war-spy adventure of old men (pretending to be drunk businessmen who shower themselves in alcohol while parting on a clunker of boat) in exotic locations (in neutral Goa) dealing with Nazi radio ships who were involved in the sinking of allied ships. For most part even with its clowning nature and inspired plot threads these true World War 2 exploits come across as colourless and tired, just like its stars. The lead-up reconnaissance groundwork by Peck and Moore's characters can somewhat meander. The cast become distractions. Peck is simply going through the motions, Moore does his casual Bond shtick (being enticed by the lovely Barbara Kellerman) and MacNee enjoys standing on his head. Andrew V McLaglen's handling of the action is competent and there's a plethora of it, but simply it lacks the thrills and energy to sustain its long-winding length. McLaglen also did the similar, if much more exciting "Wild Geese".Sturdy, but mechanical entertainment.

It's one of those very British war/adventure flicks. This one is based on a true story actually. It's a bit of an oddity to find something like this in 1980. I mean you have STAR WARS, INDY, and... ummm... this. It has a distinct 50s or 60s feel to it. It has that GUNS OF NAVARONE feel (in no small part because Peck and Niven are on board) but with what looks like half the budget. And basically all the heroes here are old enough to be collecting social security checks. And yet despite all these oddities and quibbles it somehow feels like a comfortable pair of old shoes. You got stalwarts like Peck, Niven, good ol' Roger Moore (in between his MOONRAKER and FOR YOUR EYES ONLY 007 period), Trevor Howard, Patrick Macnee, etc. It's a boys adventure (errr... old men adventure) and doesn't really offer anything new. No real surprises or twists or really suspenseful moments here. And yet it's like an old friend that you can always appreciate. Not a great film (not even as good as THE WILD GEESE) but good enough to kick back and enjoy on a boring night. About on par with FFOLKES (also with Rog Moore) which came out the same year. Also funny to see 70s fashion in a film which is supposed to be set during WWII. Oops.

What a group of strange reviews. Granted, I am 69 but I just started watching tons of movies since retiring (we had no money growing up). Thank God for cable, especially TCM, AMC and the History Channel. (And to IMDb.com - the first favourite added to my desktop in 1994!)The fact that this is based on a true story made all the difference. Yes, life was like that back then.Re: Mr. Peck's accent - I've known plenty of Englishmen who sounded like that. What odd comments.The locations were great - nice to see something authentic. And I agree, the clothing could have been a bit less modern. Finances were tight all over during WWII.And to say these actors were past their prime! An actor is an actor is an actor - until physically or mentally impaired. (I've felt this way since high school so it is not just compassion for those now in my age group.)All in all, a satisfying experience.