MovieChat Forums > The Wild Geese (1978) Discussion > Heartbreaking (spoilers)

Heartbreaking (spoilers)

posted 4 years ago by Drooch (5333)
9 replies | jump to latest

The scenes between Richard Harris and his boy were strangely affecting. The kid gives such an earnest performance, so innocent, and Harris is clearly a hard-as-nails soldier but lives for his son’s smile.

It was only moments into their first scene that I realised why they set up such an ideal relationship - they were going to kill off Harris. This was confirmed when Burton agrees to adopt Harris’ kid if he doesn’t make it out. Sure enough he dies, but it’s even worse - Burton has to mercy-kill him.

The heartbreak is complete when, months later, Burton walks off with the boy and they’ll ‘talk about your father’. I just felt so sorry for the kid, and it’s even worse that Burton not only persuaded Harris to come along in the first place - so he’s largely responsible for his death - but even pulled the trigger. It’s devastating!

That’s what makes this film special. Great acting and a surprising emotional wallop for a boy’s own military adventure, probably because it focused on the private lives of the soldiers before the battle, which is unusual.

[–] Mrmojo4700 (21460) 4 years ago

I’ve felt for a long time that this film has one of the best endings ever. From Rafers death on the runway, Limbani dying upon landing, the confrontation with Matheson to the talk with Emile - it’s all perfect. 💯👍💯👍💯👍

[–] marktayloruk (2502) 2 years ago

Can anyone see custody of a boy with a living and married mother being given to "an out of work.drunk"?

[–] Mrmojo4700 (21460) 8 months ago

Well, even the other kids at Ammile’s school knew his mom was a hooker.

[–] Mrmojo4700 (21460) 5 months ago

Also, before they went on the mission Rafer asked Allen to take care of his son if his mom won’t take care of him. It gives the impression that there was possibly some level of neglect or abandonment in the past.

[–] whynotwriteme (7720) 5 months ago

Yes, I'd guess the mother would be happy to be rid of what she likely saw as a hindrance in her social life.

[–] Mrmojo4700 (21460) 5 months ago

Unfortunately, there are those among us who would think about it in that way.

[–] marktayloruk (2502) 5 months ago

I would regard sending a kid to boarding school as coming under that heading.

[–] Mrmojo4700 (21460) 5 months ago

Yes, but later in life Emile became a champion football player, due in part from his training at the boarding school. The kid had skills.

[–] HellFire (561) 2 months ago

Agreed. It's very much a B movie but the main cast, and the plotline with Richard Harris and his son - Richard Burton shooting him to spare him an even worse death, the ending - means it packs an emotional punch that most others of it's kind don't.