North Sea Hijack

This little seen film is the original version, and earliest example, of what is now commonly see as the modern actioner. Long before Bruce Willis saved Nakatomi Plaza, Roger Moore was involved in this rescue of a 2billion pounds worth British Oil rig in the North Sea. The story is thus, Anthony Perkins and his crew of villains hi-jack a supply ship heading for Ruth and Jennifer, two British oil rigs. When docking with them, they are rigged with explosives, and are to be detonated if a hefty ransom is not met. Cue eccentric English naval expert Moore, and his daring plan to save the day. Not as explosive as its predecessors, but as interesting.

When terrorists commanded by Kramer (Anthony Perkins) and Harold (Michael Parks) take over two oil rigs and threaten to explode them if their demands are not met, an unique commando unit led by Ffolkes (Roger Moore sporting a beard and whose character has been criticized for being sexist as well as James Bond) is sent in to stop them . The next 12 hours could cost you 1,000 million pounds and 600 lives you need a man who lives second by second . Ffolks is a misogynistic man who dislike of women due to a failed marriage and having several sisters as opposed to being a ladies man; being moody, cranky and cantankerous .

Thrilling film about a North Sea hijack full of suspense , tension , excitement and some humor in charge of Roger Moore . This picture and its source Jack Davies 'Esther, Ruth and Jennifer' novel were both first released in the same 1979 year ; the meaning and relevance of this movie's source novel is that the three names refer to the three sea-based entities that are threatened to be blown-up in the story in both the book and the film. Roger Moore's likable performance playing a misogynistic character including pet obsession with his pussy cats and having an effeminate needlework hobby. The definition and relevance of this movie's ffolkes title is that it refers to the surname of the central character played by Roger Moore , the full name is actually Rufus Excalibur Ffolkes, and has been interpreted as being sexist. Though the character is supposed to be very much a polar opposite to his James Bond character, paradoxically, the character was arguably just as sexist, just in a different way. Very good support cast as James Mason as Admiral Sir Francis Brindsen as Michael Parks as Harold Shulman , David Hedison as King , Jack Watson as Capt. Olafsen ,George Baker as Fletcher ,Jeremy Clyde as Tipping . Rousing and moving musical score by Michael J. Lewis . Colorful cinematography by Tony Imi , filmed on location , the Norwegian dockyard port scenes were actually filmed not in Norway but in Ireland in the harbor town of Galway , the Galway Docks were made-up to look Norwegiana and the Scotish castle seen in the movie was portrayed by Dunguaire Castle which is near the village of Kinvara, County Galway, Ireland .

This movie marked the second teaming of director Andrew V. McLaglen with star Roger Moore who had worked together on ¨The Wild Geese¨ , they would work together again on ¨The Sea Wolves¨, their third and final movie together. Of these three films, Ffolkes is the only one which was not a war movie. The motion picture being well realized by Andrew V McLagen, son of great actor Victor McLagen . He's a a known Ford's disciple . Andrew holds the distinction of directing the most episodes of "Gunsmoke" . Furthermore , he holds the honor of filmmaking the most episodes of ¨Have gun , Will travel" (1957). And is one of the few directors to have directed both Clint Eastwood and John Wayne . He's a Western expert (McLintock, Shenandoah, Bandolero, Chisum, Cahill, Way west) and warlike specialist , such as proved in several films ( Return to Kwai, Wild Geese , Dirtdozen: the next mission, Sea wolves, Breakthrough ) . Rating : Nice , acceptable and passable , 6 . The picture will appeal to Roger Moore fans , an old master in the art of conjuring sympathy out of nothing . Worthwhile watching

A gang of criminals hijack a Norwegian supply vessel for two North Sea oil rigs. After attaching limpet mines to both rigs, they demand a huge ransom from the British Government. The insurers - Lloyds of London - call in the eccentric Rufus Excalibur Ffolkes and his highly trained team to bring an end to the situation.

First off, this is not a great film and makes no pretension to be one. It is however quite enjoyable on its level, which is that of a fairly straightforward and formulaic thriller with some dashes of humour. Roger Moore gives a pleasing performance as the woman hating, arrogant and irascible Ffolkes, who is the complete antithesis of his version of Bond. Much of the gentle humour of the film arises from his constant put downs to all around him. Anthony Perkins is the head of the gang, and plays him with typical cold blooded menace. Also James Mason turns in a nice portrayal of an exasperated Admiral.

Director Andrew V.McLaglen keeps things moving along, and the setting is at least a bit different from the usual scenarios. The finale does seem something of a let down after the build up, but it doesn't ruin the film.

I hadn't seen this for a few years, so I enjoyed watching it again last week when it got a screening on TV. I recorded it and watched it a couple of days later while laid low with the 'flu. Its tongue in cheek nature cheered me up, and surely that's the whole point of these types of films.

North Sea Hijack is a fast paced, frequently entertaining thriller about the ingenious hijacking of a major North Sea oil rig. It features a totally off-the-wall performance by Roger Moore as an anti-terrorist expert who has some bizarre habits indeed, such as sewing, raising cats, and drinking whisky at 10a.m. Other memorable characterisations are conveyed by Anthony Perkins (the principal baddie), James Mason (a stiff upper lipped admiral), David Hedison (a stressed out oil rig official) and Faith Brooks (a strong willed lady prime minister).

The core of the action occurs at sea, with Perkins and his menacing bunch hijacking a supply ship and planting mines beneath the oil rig. Moore is brought in to thwart them, and plays a tense psychological games with his adversaries, constantly provoking them and second guessing their actions whilst trying to ascertain the most effective way to attack them aboard their vessel. There are some well delineated scenes, such as an exciting sequence in which a couple of ships crew try to poison their captors but are found out and killed. Another invigorating sequence features Moore having to sneak up on the terrorists whilst clad in a glowing red wet suit (it was the only wet suit available to him on the oil rig).

Moore's character is wonderful. He has an uncharacteristic beard and follows a series of bizarre daily routines to the letter. His savage side, especially towards women (whom he seems to hate more than terrorists) provides some amusement.

This is an under rated gem. It is the kind of film you discover by accident (it doesn't have a particularly high reputation), but by God it really moves and is enormous fun whilst on.

Throughout his career critics have placed Roger Moore in a catagory with such alleged actors as George Hamilton and Pamela Anderson. Individuals whose celebrity status has been maintain by good looks rather than talent.

It is not hard to understand why. From the start Moore has been typecast in the same basic charactor mold; the ruggedly handsome high competant womanizer. James Bond, Maverick, The Saint, they are all virtually the same. Only on rare occations has Moore been able to overcome the stereotype and prove his versitility as an actor. The 1979 action yarn Ffolkes is one such occation.

In the title role Moore is anything but his typical ladies man. The product of a messy divorce, Rufus Excaliber Ffolkes resents women. He considers them inferior at best and a blight on society at worst. He now prefers the company of cats.

Ffolkes is also a gruff reclusive genius with little tolerance for lesser intellects. This is neatly demonstrated when a secondary charactor addressing Ffolkes's intellectual prowess flippantly states,

"You must be one of those people who finish the (London) times crossword puzzle in ten minutes."

"I assure you." Ffolkes angerily responses. "I have never taken ten minutes!"

But Fflokes is no braggart. His genius is quickly proven when a vital British oil drilling platform is taken over by a group of blackmailing terrorists led by Tony (Psycho) Perkins. Ffolkes, an expert in counter terrorism anticipated such an attack months in advance and has a well trained group of handpicked specialists standing by to lead an assult.

Despite the misgivings of the Royal navy command who consider him a loose cannon the prime minister commissions Ffolkes to liberate the platform. What follows is some of the best high action drama in movie history.