The story in "The Sea Wolves" is based on a real and rather strange episode in World War II history. Not wanting to provoke an international incident with neutral Portugal, the British decide to attack a German ship docked in Goa (an Indian city controlled at the time by the Portuguese) using civilians....elderly non-coms at that! They need to destroy or capture the boat because the ship is being used against Allied shipping. And, the film starred a lot of older stars--the likes of Gregory Peck, David Niven, Roger Moore and Trevor Howard! This really sounds like an interesting story, right? Well, oddly, it wasn't. In fact, after a while I was just looking forward to the film ending. Why? Well, I think the problem is mostly because none of the characters were very interesting. They had a nice idea but the writer simply didn't instill enough in the characters to make them the least bit endearing or realistic. Sad. As a result, it's a film that you could watch if you have nothing better to do or you could just skip it. My vote? Flip a coin.

THE SEA WOLVES is the kind of film which, even at the time it was made, is the sort of film they don't make anymore. The plot - so improbable that it is indeed based on fact - is that British shipping is being sunk by U-boats guided by German spies using a hidden radio transmitter on board a ship interned in neutral Goa (a Portuguese colony in India). Unable to do anything official the Brits come up with the ludicrous but brilliant wheeze of sending a bunch of old duffers - from an almost defunct part-time unit called the Calcutta Light Horse - on a commando raid into the harbour to blow up the Hun ship. And their cover story: that they're a drunken works outing who wanted to board the shop for a dare. Peck - stiff but reliable - and Niven - charming as ever - lead this bit whilst Roger Moore - in a beige safari suit again - does his James Bond act as he seduces a woman who he doesn't realise is a German spy. It's all jolly good fun in a rainy Saturday afternoon style; an old- fashioned yarn full of reliable old actors having - just like their characters - one last adventure. Younger viewers might dislike the relatively slow pace, the general lack of action and the absence of gore/flesh/swearing but it has a great deal of the charm, common sense and maturity lacking from modern cinema; having completed their mission they whisper "poor devils" whilst watching the German ships burn, instead of cheering.

Sea Wolves with is star filled cast must have been a bit like the Sly Stallone led ensemble Expendables back when it was released.The splendid David Niven, the reliable Gregory Peck (Yes even with that accent) join the then current James Bond, Roger Moore lead a bunch of military vets on a dangerous mission.It tells the true WW2 story . The British must attack a German ship, that is saw in neutral waters. So the send ex soldiers who are now civilians and over 60 yeas old. The trouble with "The Sea Wolves" is that whilst the story itself is a very good one, and the cast is as good it is often shockingly slow. To the point of boredom at times, but also incredibly cheesy as it tries to inject a bit of humour (Moore's trademark as Bond) into this daring tale of veterans trying to sabotage German boats. Suddenly it ends up struggling to be average.My main problem wit this movie was Moore! I'm not sure his character is meant to be as funny as he seems. He dresses in tuxedo's, gambles in casino's, seduces women and is able to knock men unconscious with a single punch (all Bond trademarks) I suppose if you love his Bond you'll like it. But some of it is so ludicrous I wondered whether it was originally conceived as a spoof comedy.I have given this 5 stars for Niven and Peck, the action a scenes at the end and for the real heroes who this story is based on.Moore actually saved spoofing Bond for his next movie, the Burt Reynolds led ensemble Cannonball Run.

1943 and those dastardly Nazis are sinking allied ships in the Indian Ocean and the British Special Operations Executive have to destroy the Nazi transmitter in the neutral state of Goa Supposedly based on a true story of derring do there's a good story in here somewhere but it never seems to take off . From the outset we're treated to some very clumsy story exposition where characters constantly refer to events and organisations that they'd know all about . You'd think these characters were appearing in a film or something and by being constantly reminded that it is a film you're constantly taken out of it . By having Roger Moore in the starring role you'll be reminded that he's a rubbish actor and a rubbish Bond and THE SEA WOLVES does feel like a sub par Bond movie Another noticeable thing is the crowd scenes where everyone wears present day clothes , well present for the late 1970s where the height of fashion is flared blue denim jeans and a colour clashing T-shirt . Distracting isn't a strong enough adjective and to get around this the director starts shooting in medium close up which is no less distracting and having to use a deserted beach as an establishing shot . If you've ever been to India you'll know that the Swastika is plastered everywhere so perhaps he deserves some credit for shooting a location scene where it doesn't feature THE SEA WOLVES is a well meaning film centered around a true life story featuring some old sweats taking the fight to the Nazis during the war but both the protagonists and the audience deserved much better