29 replies to this topic

[Simon Bermuda]

Does anyone else remember this film? It was released around 1980 under at least two different titles.

See:

Ffolkes/North Sea Hijack

Roger Moore played a bearded, eccentric antiterrorist expert (reminiscent of James Robertson Justice) who is called in when a criminal gang, led by Anthony Perkins, take over a couple of oil rigs.

Moore was great in this character role. (I particularly enjoy the way he delivers the line: "I like cats. And I don't like people who don't.")

Sounds like he would've found a kindred spirit in a certain international master-criminal...

[Mister Asterix]

Fun movie. And people call Bond a misogynist.

[trs007]

Always enjoyed this film and just gave the DVD a screening a few nights ago. Good fun, great score and a very different character for Moore to play than Bond.

[JackChase007]

Actually, I think Moore's portrayal of ffolkes was more like Fleming's Bond than in any of the Bond films he did...

But fun film - Anthony Perkins was a very enjoyable villain.

[Turn]

This film has a pretty good following with a lot of CBn members. There have been several discussions in the Roger Moore forums about it.

[taxman2001]

I love this movie and haven't seen it for years. I always felt sorry for the poor sod in fFolkes team that always ended up being put upon by fFolkes.

And if it's on DVD then I'll definetely have to add it to my list.

That and equally underrated Escape to Athena (which is released on 1st June 2004), Sea Wolves and The Wild Geese (Run, RUN, for the plane Richard. You got to make. YOU GOT TO! Noooooooooooooooooooooo ...).

[trs007]

Ah, THE WILD GEESE, now there is one is hope for every day to become a widescreen DVD release.

[DLibrasnow]

There was a big thread about this movie in the Roger Moore forum...I eagerly awaited its arrival on DVD. You will find a number of CBNers love this movie!

[taxman2001]

For those, like me, who love those classic films ...

Sea Wolves is available to own now on Region 1 DVD
North Sea Hijack is available to own now on Region 2 DVD
Shout At The Devil is available to own now on Region 2 DVD
The Wild Geese is released on Region 2 DVD on 31st May 2004
Escape to Athena is released on Region 2 DVD on 21st June 2004

[trs007]

For those, like me, who love those classic films ...

Sea Wolves is available to own now on Region 1 DVD
North Sea Hijack is available to own now on Region 2 DVD
Shout At The Devil is available to own now on Region 2 DVD
The Wild Geese is released on Region 2 DVD on 31st May 2004
Escape to Athena is released on Region 2 DVD on 21st June 2004

Ah, then hope exists for a Region 1 DVD of THE WILD GEESE.

[DLibrasnow]

Looks like I am going to be putting my region free DVD player to work this summer!

North Sea Hijack of course is available on DVD in Region 1 and Region 2!

[Qwerty]

I will have to check this out then.

[booyeah_]

Ffolkes was a great movie. Moore did admirable as an asexual admiral who loves cats. It was great seeing him go off on the frogmen he commanded. Perkins(rip) was great as the tempered villain in this Die Hard like thriller.

[DLibrasnow]

I have often wished it had done better so we could have gotten a sequel.

[trevanian]

Possibly a 3rd title for it ... pre-release, Moore said (on the MERV GRIFFIN show, I believe) it was to be called ESTHER RUTH & JENNIFER (names of the three rigs.)

I like FFOLKES, but to me it is Moore doing a part that was almost certainly written for Robert Shaw, who died a year or so earlier. And Shaw would have been awesome in it, so I can't ever get completely behind it with Moore.

Except for his cameo comedy turn in that Pink Panther film, I think Moore peaked with 'eat the heroin' in WILD GEESE.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Possibly a 3rd title for it ... pre-release, Moore said (on the MERV GRIFFIN show, I believe) it was to be called ESTHER RUTH & JENNIFER (names of the three rigs.)

If I'm not mistaken I think that was the title of the novel that the movie was based on.

[Blofeld's Cat]

For those, like me, who love those classic films ...

The Wild Geese is released on Region 2 DVD on 31st May 2004

I'll end up getting them all, but I'm really looking forward to this one.

[Genrewriter]

I mrecently grabbed this at my local video store for twelve bucks. I love the fact that it goes for low key, realistic suspense and has virtually no stupid characters. Anthony Perkins is always good as paranoid loons.

[DLibrasnow]

Possibly a 3rd title for it ... pre-release, Moore said (on the MERV GRIFFIN show, I believe) it was to be called ESTHER RUTH & JENNIFER (names of the three rigs.)

If I'm not mistaken I think that was the title of the novel that the movie was based on.

Yes, you are correct in that belief Brett!

[PrinceKamalKhan]

Finally saw ffolkes/North Sea Hijack for the first time tonight. I found it to be a serviceable actioner and an interesting if somewhat tamer precursor to Die Hard. Moore's blatant misogyny was a fascinating contrast to his Bond characterization. I think Moore said ffolkes was his favorite of his own movies. Those who liked ffolkes should also check out Gold and The Man Who Haunted Himself. Those feature 2 very interesting, non-Bond roles for Moore.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Possibly a 3rd title for it ... pre-release, Moore said (on the MERV GRIFFIN show, I believe) it was to be called ESTHER RUTH & JENNIFER (names of the three rigs.)

If I'm not mistaken I think that was the title of the novel that the movie was based on.

Yes, you are correct in that belief Brett!

Cheers for the confirmation, Darren.

[Dr. Tynan]

Have a drink on me lads.

Go on have a drink.

[SHOUTING] DRINK IT [SHOUTING]

WHERE YA JUST GONNA LAUGH AS WE ROLLED AROUND THE FLOOR AND DIED?

[DLibrasnow]

I think Moore's best performance ever was in SHOUT AT THE DEVIL!

[Blofeld's Cat]

Picked up the DVD from the $15 rack at a Dick Smith Power Station in Sydney today.

Pity there's no extra features tho.

Attached Files

•  ffolkes01.jpg   204.12KB   16 downloads

[DLibrasnow]

Thats certainly better cover art than the Region 1 release which is rather naff!

[Blofeld's Cat]

I also picked up Gold at HMV yesterday, but it was a crappy print, which explains the $2.99 price tag. Expletives, even mild ones, were even blanked from the soundtrack. The DVD was tatally underwhelming.

I certainly hope there's a much better re-release on the horizon.

An interesting observation though: throughout the movie Rog is seen holding a cigarette, but not once do you actually see him take a puff.

[DLibrasnow]

The Region 1 DVD of "Gold" also features a rather naff transfer.

[Seannery]

I think Moore's best performance ever was in SHOUT AT THE DEVIL!

He was excellent in that movie but I think he was at his peak in Ffolkes--hilarious and fully inhabiting the gruff cantankerous cat loving woman hater! What a character.

[DLibrasnow]

I think he was excellent in FFOLKES, but in SHOUT AT THE DEVIL he had a character who went through a greater emotional range.

[Blofeld's Cat]

I just can't remember ANYTHING of this movie now. It's been soooo long since I've seen it.

Can't wait to get my hands on the DVD.