Film Review: North Sea Hijack (ffolkes, 1980)

Action films are less likely than other genres to provide commentary on social issues like the change in position of women in society. One of the rare exceptions to this rule could be found in North Sea Hijack, 1980 British film directed by Andrew V. McLaglen. Protagonist, played by Roger Moore, is Reginald Excalibur ffolkes, former Royal Navy frogman who works as top counterterrorism consultant. His services become needed due to the crisis created by the group of criminals who hijacked Norwegian supply boat and used it to put limpet mines on two British offshore oil platforms in North Sea. Criminals’ leader Kramer (played by Anthony Perkins) threatens that he would detonate the mines, kill hundreds of people and create incalculable financial and environmental damage unless he is paid 25 million pounds of ransom. This is, however, exactly the scenario ffolkes has been planning for. He and his elite team of frogmen are hired by British government and brought to the platform where they would assist Admiral Brindsen (played by James Mason) in neutralising the blackmailers and their mines.

At the time of production Roger Moore enjoyed zenith of his popularity as James Bond. Character of fflolkes probably appealed to him as a way to escape typecasting, because he is in many ways an anti-thesis of Bond – an eccentric who lives in isolated castle, drinks scotch, enjoys needlepointing and, last but not least, openly dislikes women. Script by Jack Davies, however, connects this character with two strong women who defy traditional gender roles. One is Sanna (played by Lea Brodie), slightly androgynous female sailor who is the only part of Norwegian ship’s crew that actually gives hard time to hijackers and provides crucial assistance to ffolkes during his final raid. The other is ffolkes’ ultimate boss, unnamed prime minister who just happens to be a woman and who is played by Faith Brook; her appearance can be interpreted as screenwriter’s nod to Margaret Thatcher, who was at time known mainly as the first female prime minister in British history. Moore obviously liked the way the script allowed this character to function as traditional action hero, while at the same time have unconventional and rather obnoxious views about what was once called “the weaker sex”.

Moore is very good in his role, and the rest of cast is mostly solid, especially Mason in the role of a top naval officer who was supposed to be person of authority but actually shows insecurity when faced with crisis he wasn’t prepared for. This film isn’t that good when it comes to villains – Perkins plays his role of calm but sinister leader of blackmailers capably, but his character is slightly underwritten. On the other hand, director McLaglen, known for his work in westerns and action films, handles the film well and manages to hide relative budget limitations and lack of really spectacularly action that doesn’t happen until the rather suspenseful end. Despite the protagonist whose views might make some of today’s viewers triggered and despite some other flaws, North Sea Hijack is still a solid piece of genre entertainment that might capture even the modern audience’s attention.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

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