Ffolkes

"The North Sea Hijack" or "ffolkes" is an action film from the 1980s that does not realize it is an action film from the 1980s. Based on a novel by Jack Davies, the movie follows the adventures of Rufus Excalibur ffolkes (portrayed by Roger Moore), a frogman turned counter-terrorism consultant for private industry such as insurance companies and the government of the United Kingdom. We see ffolkes' personality shine through early on; he is bright, worldly, brave, asexual and ailurophilic but also misogynistic, alcoholic and cocky. This character is fascinating and unlike any character seen in other films. Shortly after ffolkes was hired to plan for possible attacks on oil rigs, a gang of terrorists actually hijack an oil rig and its control vessels in the North Sea. The leader of these outlaws, Louis Kramer (Anthony Perkins), is attempting to extort officials for a fortune. ffolkes, along with Admiral Brindsen (James Mason), the Lord Privy Tipping (Jeremy Clyde) and the UK Prime Minister (Faith Brook), plans a re-seizing blitz on these rigged vessels before the ransom deadline is reached.This is an unpretentious, straight-forward action movie that ditches many of the standard expectations and tropes of thrillers and actions flicks, and it is all the better because of it! Roger Moore surprising plays this bearded, eccentric lead very well and with subtle, smirking humor. His misogyny may turn viewers off but a protagonist does not have to be admirable to be intriguing (and he is shown up on this subject at the end). Perkins (aka Norman Bates of  Psycho (1960)  fame) makes a great villain; Kramer is a hot-tempered devil who keeps the conflicts of the film intriguing. David Hedison, Michael Parks and Lea Brodie do very well in smaller supporting roles. Faith Brook does a good Margaret Thatcher impersonation, although the prime minister in the film is never named specifically.The film offers some great underwater sequences and the tension from the stealth sequences rarely-used in most action films is thrilling. The dialogue is often darkly or dryly humorous and snappy and most of the film is well-paced. Michael Lewis' score is exciting and even provides a sort of ffolkes themes for the action scenes.ffolkes is an endearing sort of anti-James Bond; all action, no hedonism and a fondness for cross-stitching and cats. "The North Sea Hijack" is often overlooked or unheard of by film viewers but it very well may be Roger Moore's finest hour. Watch it with a glass of scotch and have ffun with ffolkes.

Watch And Buy

The product was exactly as advertised; the movie plays just fine. So this is more a review of the movie itself. I remember watching this so many times back in my grad school days (late 1970s) on cable TV and wondered if it was as good as I remembered. Well, pretty much yes; it is a fine adventure film with Moore playing a rather different character than James Bond or The Saint.

good story but Roger is a little overboard with his portrayal of the main character

This is one of the greatest action adventure films ever made. It has so many strong points. The cast and script are far above anything anyone ever expected and unfortunately this film went entirely unnoticed on its release. This is one of director Andrew V. McLaglen's best films thanks to a cast that includes Roger Moore, Anthony Perkins, James Mason, David Hedison, Michael Parks, George Baker and Jack Watson and a superlative screenplay by Jack Davies. What really makes this film work so successfully is how Jack Davies gave each character such depth and distinct and dynamic personality. This keeps the story moving and is as intense and suspenseful as it is entertaining. For instance, David Hedison given what is essentially a minor role has some effective lines bringing his character true realism to the extent that we truly empathize with him making him more than another cardboard figure that he had been relegated to throughout his career. Anthony Perkins turns in one of his best roles and a very villainous and diabolical one at that. Anthony Perkins' character is so unpredictable you just haven't a clue to what he is up to next. He's incredible. But the entire cohesive force that holds this film together is Roger Moore. This is probably the performance of his career, along perhaps with THE MAN WHO HAUNTED HIMSELF. Roger Moore is flamboyant, charismatic and demonstrates a no nonsense tough and hardened side we have never seen. And the best thing about Roger's performance is that he is entirely and thoroughly believable. Every once in a while you have to pinch yourself and remember that this is really not the true life Roger Moore here, he's just playing a character. Roger Moore is that good in this film. The plot too is not standard fare. It has twists and turns and things happen that normally don't happen in your typical action adventure film. You just don't mess with Anthony Perkins in this film. That's all I will say on that. In fact, I don't know what else to say. This really and truly is a good one.

An excellent action adventure/suspense movie.

Most enjoyable

A word of warning - in CAPITALS - Most of you will realise this, but "FFOLKES" is the American title for "NORTH SEA HIJACK" and somehow Amazon have mixed up all the reviews so it is hard tell which DVD is being written about...So - This review is for the American DVD "FFOLKES" which I got mainly because it clearly states "Subtitles", and they are good too, as is the 16.9 ratio transfer with good colour and sound. Apart from the subs there are no extras. Why the Americans chose to rename the film from it's origanal much better title is beyond me! Anyway, "Fffolkes" is Roger Moore who leads and trains a bunch of mercenaries who are the best of the best, tho quite how is never really made clear, and apart from Tim Bentink as Harris, a very unlikely hard case, we don't get to know them at all. (What did happen to Harris??). Moore is hired to save the planet from Anthony Perkins who has hijacked a massive oil rig and threatens to blow it up unless he gets 28 million pounds (even in 1980 this wasn't very ambitious). His gang consist of an overacting Michael Parks, and an actor who looks very like a young James Cosmo, but isn't. Funnily enough Perkins plays it straight and is all the more effective for it. Also "on board" are Jack Watson and Lea Brodie ( a lovely actress, much wasted.), and Faith Brook as our Prime Minister (guess which PM she is based on), David Hedison, George Baker, and miscellaneous cats. The stunt work and SFX are good and the plot is pacily directed by Andrew McGlaglen. Good fun for a Saturday Nt with a glass or two.

Nowhere in the description does it mention that it will not work on UK DVD’s unless they are multi regional

I saw this movie on television years ago and was delighted to find I could get a DVD of it. It has great performances by James Mason, Tony Perkins and especially Roger Moore as the quirky, misogynistic but brilliant title character. The battle of wits between Moore's character, ffolkes. and the head villain, played by Perkins, is fascinating. The movie is a great mix of suspense and action and has comical moments as well. I just loved the ending but won't spoil it for you by saying why. I'm so glad this is now part of my movie collection.

Product arrived on time and in excellent condition.