Day 28 of #30DaysWild and Day 7 of #InsectWeek - On a walk today, I saw lots of beautiful butterflies!

Every once in a while you come across a movie that has such a profound impact, that you know you'll be revisiting it, if not on the screen then in your own mind's eye. That was the case when I was introduced to 'The Wild Geese'. Released in 1978, the film is based on a mixture of true events and an unpublished book called 'The Thin White Line'; it stars Richard Burton, Richard Harris, Roger Moore and Hardy Kruger. It's only the second Burton film I've ever watched and the acting legend doesn't disappoint. Nor does his dear friend Richard Harris who was momentous and sublime in his performance. Roger Moore also has moments to shine; in fact the whole ensemble cast is one mighty talent pool! The story is located between England and Africa; following a group of ex-military mercenaries employed by a merchant banker to rescue an imprisoned African president. The banker want to get his hands on the copper mining rights to the African country in question. The race relations shown within the film change between harsh, civil, disrespectful, reverent, volatile and hopeful. In other words, real. There's also a homosexual heroic character, this is a long time before 'representation' was a thing in films and it doesn't have to ram 'the message' down your throat. All the characters were well written and beautifully portrayed. There's just enough courage, just enough determination, just enough humour, just enough charisma, just enough humanity and just enough character growth for you to care about the heroes without it over whelming the quickly paced story. As you would expect, the action sequences were expertly done with multiple gun battles and intense moments with airplanes. Why is it going to replay in my mind? Without giving any spoilers, it's all about the end. It's brutal, a real punch to the gut. It left a lasting mark on me, I get a lump in my throat just thinking about it. If you like an action move, this is one with raw grit and should be on everyone's viewing list. I hope you will watch it, if you have not already.

❝ No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease, No comfortable feel in any member — No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees, No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds — November! ❞ Leo McKern, as Horace Rumpole, quotes an extract from Thomas Hood's poem 'No' in 'Rumpole and the Heavy Brigade' (1978)