This throwback to a war film was already dated when it came out in 1980 to put it mildly.
The film has the usual disclaimer that it is based on a true story. A quick search of the internet confirms it. The film is sort of a Guns of Navarone except with old guys. The Sea Wolves even has one of the stars of Navarone in the person of Gregory Peck.
The plot is about a bunch of retired army officers recruited to destroy a German ship providing information to a Nazi submarine for the purpose of sinking British cargo ships during World War 2. I really don't have to rehash the plot because anyone who has seen a war movie or two knows how this thing is going to go
The amazing cast is like a who's who of old British stars. David Niven, Trevor Howard, Patrick Macnee and Roger Moore, probably the youngest guy in the group and he wasn't exactly a spring chicken when they made this. In addition there is a whole bunch of British character actors in minor parts whose names I don't know, but trust me I have seen in a lot of British films through the years.
The film was directed by amiable hack Andrew V. McLaglen whose style will never be confused with that of Francois Truffaut. Another old timer Reginald Rose wrote the screenplay.
With all that said, the film is actually kind of enjoyable in a tired sort of way. Roger Moore plays his part like he's in a James Bond movie. Gregory Peck struggles with his accent and David Niven plays the gentlemanly British character he made a career out of.
120 minutes.
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