Review by L. Shirley
Rating:
This review refers to the DVD(WB) edition of “The Sea Wolves”….

The neutral waters off Goa, a Portuguese colony in India, is the setting for this unusual but true war story.And what’s more unusual are the heroes of this dangerous mission.

It is 1943, and German merchant ships are relaying information to U-boats as to the whereabouts of Allied war vessels. The German merchants being in waters considered neutral are all but impossible to stop.Two officers(Gregory Peck/Roger Moore) of a unique British Military organazation, are assigned to the task of putting an end to these deadly exploits.They turn to a group of seniors who are veterans but haven’t seen action in over 40 years. These guys spend most of their time trying to stay on their Polo ponies at their little country club. They are “The Calcutta Light Horse”. Most would give their right arms to see action again, and now they will have their chance…Their mission..to board the German Vessels and destroy them!

Led by one of their own(David Niven),they jump at the chance to help the war effort, and head fearlessly into danger,and face tense situations with bravery and humor and become heroes once again.The “Sea Wolves” is great war story, that is based on actual events, and will have you smiling and rooting for the good guys all the way through. And of course with Moore involved,you know there will be some romance as well!

You can’t go wrong with this cast, who only get better and better with age. Also included are Patrick MacNee and Trevor Howard.It was directed by Andrew McLaglen and based on the book “Boarding Party” by James Leasor.It was beautifully filmed on location in India.

Warner Bros. has made a nice transfer to the DVD. The picture is clear and sharp and may be viewed in Widescreen, or a Standard format.The colors are good, the ocean sparkles as does Peck’s smile. The stereo surround sound is very good, although the dialouge is a little low at times, but clear and distinguishable for the most part. There are no Special features, but may be viewed with English or French subtitles.

Spend some time with these dapper Gents, you’ll have fun doing it…..Laurie

also recommended:A Bridge Too Far

Review by Forrest R. Hansen
Rating:
Gregory Peck, Roger Moore and David Niven are the lead actors in this true story having taken place in WW II in India and Goa. It is shot on location where it happened, giving great authenicity to the scenes and how they took place. I think just about every older English actor who has appeared in any war films is present here. This was one of the reasons I liked the film. A gathering of “old” friends in one place from the other films gives it credence as you know they are well trained, in a way. This is sort of like “The Wild Geese”, same cast of characters in the support roles. The print of the film in 1.85 to 1 letterbox is of great quality. The surround sound works well. While the subject matter of getting the sinking of ships stopped is serious, there are many very funny spots as the older men of the Light Horse get geared up for war after 40 some years. There is one especially tender moment when David Niven is shaving at 5am and his wife is worried about another woman. Both Gregory Peck and Roger Moore play their respective characters believably. Not sure why they didn’t check one character out…………

Review by C. O. DeRiemer
Rating:
The Sea Wolves has a number of problems, not just the main bearing. Andrew McLaglen directed the movie, a WWII adventure of spies and explosives set primarily in Goa’s harbor. Three German merchant ships have been interned there, on the west coast of India. Suspiciously, Allied ships are being torpedoed in the area. Look for a German spy operation to learn British shipping schedules and routes; then a way to send that information to the merchant ship that has a transmitter; then a relay to waiting German subs. The British must take action…but Goa is Portuguese. That means neutral. So the Calcutta Light Horse, a part-time territorial unit that is proud of being part of the Raj is recruited. “They haven’t seen action in 40 years. You’re talking about a mixed bag of boozing, middle-aged, pot bellied businessmen,” says a brigadier. “No argument,” says Gregory Peck, playing Colonel Lewis Pugh, “but when the war started every man jack of them volunteered for active service.” Their colonel is William Grice (David Niven). While Captain Gavin Stewart (Roger Moore) of British Special Secret Operations deals with the spies on land, Colonel Pugh, of British Secret Special Operations (or something like that), will lead the Light Horse to board and destroy the German ships.

McLaglen at his best turned out movies like The Wild Geese, The Devil’s Brigade, Bandolero! and several of John Wayne’s late middle age westerns. Many were reliable commercial hits, but without an original thought in any of them. They’re all skillfully composed of clichés, manly joshing, scenic photography and action. The Sea Wolves might be worth its two hours, but the movie is strictly a professional, commercial and predictable enterprise.

Besides McLaglen’s unimaginative commercial competence, The Sea Wolves suffers from its structure, and that means it suffers from its two leads. Peck was 64 and looks it. He undoubtedly was hired to sell tickets in the American market. His British accent varies between nonexistent to jarringly phony: “We’re looking for awnsers” “We will keep to the shedjool.” Roger Moore at 53 is beginning to need careful lighting to keep the illusion of being 10 years younger. He gives us only more of Moore, a smooth operator who dresses well, is always charming, and speaks smirking innuendo to the ladies. At one point Moore is shot in the elbow and still puts on his dinner jacket unassisted. You have to admire a man like that. Peck and Moore both try for the old English upper-class insouciance, gallantry-in-the-face-of-danger sort of thing. We wind up with a movie that for its first third is Peck and Moore together developing the plan, then Moore for the second third taking out spies, and then the last third with Peck leading the action to board and destroy.

As usual with McLaglen, there are some effective scenes…obtaining and putting in shape a rusting hulk that will transport the Light Horse to the German ships…a spy who prefers a knife to end discussions…the determination of Trevor Howard…one or two sad scenes that work…the final ten minutes which is all action. But then there is that awful stiff-upper-lip “English” dialogue written by Reginald Rose, an American. The Light Horse serves up at every opportunity quantities of manly joshing and kidding, seasickness and terrible cooking, and instant volunteering by each man for the most dangerous tasks. At two hours, however, the three-part story, sluggish pacing (especially with Moore’s adventures), and Peck’s accent drain away any consistent excitement.

David Niven at 70 is the only one of the three stars who seems quite at home with this sort of thing. The occasion, however, is sad. Niven already was showing signs of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, from which he would die three years later. The Sea Wolves also features a number of aging British actors playing members of the Light Horse. Although their dialogue, joshing and over-aged running about can make a person squirm in sympathy for them, it’s still nice to see Trevor Howard, Terrence Longdon, Moray Watson, John Standing, Allan Cuthbertson, Percy Herbert and Donald Houston, as well as Patrick McNee.

The movie is subtitled “The Last Charge of the Calcutta Light Horse.” It really happened. The DVD transfer looks fine. There are no extras.