Written by KNIGHTFALL: BOND WITHOUT THE BENTLEY — AND OGILVY STILL PACKS A PUNCH
We talked to the film’s stars Ian Ogilvy, Geoffrey Moore and Jeanine Nerissa Sothcott about going head-to-head in a lean, mean British spy thriller where biological weapons, family secrets and assassins turn a quiet country house into a battlefield.
Forget the Aston Martin. Forget the tuxedo. Forget the shaken-not-stirred martinis.
Knightfall is what happens when you take the classic British spy movie, rip away the Hollywood bling and replace it with country houses, secret agents, family feuds and people who actually know how to handle a gun.
And you know what?
It works.
Cue guns.
Cue assassins.
Cue family arguments.
The set-up is deliciously old-school. A deadly biological weapon is stolen during a covert operation and Ros becomes a target. The weapon threatens a catastrophic homeland-security disaster, meaning this isn’t just a family squabble.
It’s potentially Armageddon.
Ros is caught between her past and present — and between two very different men.
On one side is her father, Charles, played by Ian Ogilvy, a grizzled intelligence veteran who has spent years perfecting the art of knowing when someone is lying.
On the other is Hugh, her MI5 agent boyfriend, played by Geoffrey Moore.
Yes, that Moore.
The son of legendary James Bond star Roger Moore.
And that casting choice is one of the film’s great pleasures.
Geoffrey Moore brings relaxed charm to Hugh, but importantly, he doesn’t spend the movie desperately trying to be his father.
There are no silly Bond impersonations. No raised eyebrow every five seconds. No desperate attempt to make the audience shout, “Look! It’s Roger Moore’s son!”
Instead, Geoffrey plays Hugh as a confident, capable intelligence operative with a touch of old-school sophistication.
And then there is Ogilvy.
What a pleasure it is to see him back in this sort of territory.
Ogilvy has the kind of screen presence that doesn’t need an explosion every ten minutes. He can sit in a chair, stare at somebody and make the room feel considerably more dangerous.
As Charles Knight, he brings experience, wit and just the right amount of grumpy old-school attitude.
And when the shooting starts, the old boy isn’t ready to put his slippers on just yet.
“Ian Ogilvy doesn’t need a licence to thrill — he just needs a loaded weapon and a reason to use it.”
Jeanine Nerissa Sothcott carries the film as Ros, and she gets the unenviable job of standing between two formidable male performers while also carrying the plot’s scientific and emotional weight.
Ros isn’t simply the damsel waiting to be rescued. She’s central to the conspiracy, and her relationship with Charles gives the movie its human heartbeat.
Watch Jeanine Nerissa Sothcott interview here;
The biggest surprise is just how much fun it is watching Ian Ogilvy and Geoffrey Moore sharing the screen.
There is an irresistible bit of cinematic history at work.
Ogilvy famously succeeded Roger Moore as Simon Templar in The Return of the Saint.
Now he’s playing alongside Roger Moore’s son.
That’s the sort of casting coincidence that film fans can enjoy without the movie having to bash you over the head with it.
And then there’s Jeanine Sothcott, providing the link between these two generations.
“Ogilvy supplies the steel. Moore brings the charm. Sothcott gives the story its heart.”
The result is a modest but entertaining British spy thriller with a genuine affection for the genre.
No, Knightfall isn’t trying to outgun Bond.
It can’t.
What it does instead is strip the spy movie back to its essentials — characters, secrets, betrayal, family and a few people who are very handy when somebody starts shooting.
Ian Ogilvy is terrific.
Geoffrey Moore brings considerable charm.
Jeanine Nerissa Sothcott gives the film its emotional centre.
And Ben Fortune keeps the whole thing moving without pretending he’s got £200 million in the bank.
THE VERDICT
It may be Bond without the Bentley, but Knightfall proves you don’t always need a licence to thrill.
Sometimes a country house, a deadly secret and Ian Ogilvy with a shotgun will do nicely.
★★★★☆
Synopsis
The premise of the movie centres around four veteran SAS comrades, who set out to avenge the murder of a retired Green Beret comrade. Unfortunately, they find themselves up against an American drug syndicate in London lead by a vicious gang boss. The team have to come to terms with the fact that they are not spring chickens and therefore have to adapt the way they go about dispensing their own brand of justice on the streets of London.
The film is a treat for cinema and TV addicts with the likes of Lee Majors ( The Six Million Dollar man) in a cameo role, then the stellar cast of Ian Ogilvy, we remember as Simon Templar in The Return of The Saint and more recently We Still Kill the Old Way and We Still Steal the Old Way, Nick Moran ( Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels), Paul Barber, Bill Murray, Louis Madylor, and great cameo appearances from Danny Trejo ( From Dusk Till Dawn), Stephanie Beecham ( Dynasty ,UFO , Jason King), Patsy Kensit ( Lethal Weapon 2) and Michael Brandon ( Dempsey and Makepeace).
The great thing about the appearances in this film of these recognisable actors is not that they were just a name in the film they all deliver great roles too. The film itself is very enjoyable and there is an obvious tipping of the cap to Sly Stallone’s Expendables, the use of violence and well-timed humour all adds to the atmosphere of the movie.
The camera work depicting London makes it look like the best city in the world outdoing the lights and atmosphere in New York, Las Vegas and Tokyo. The action driving editing is immensely successful. As for the soundtrack it is so good it’s available for download or on CD.
World of Martial Arts Television says:
This movie is a gritty, new style, action Brit-flick, which the majority of the British action film viewing public love and the Americans adore. If you’re wanting Marvel or outlandish action then this is not for you. This is pure Entertainment lots of fun and action with a hint of realism. This film has something for everybody over 18. It is a very decent action flick with a sense of comedy, and truly deserves a sequel.
Availibility
Renegades has been available on digital since the 30th of January and is on the highly recommended DVD from the 13th of February from 101 Films.
Producer Production Notes
Renegades is produced by Shogun Films, a relative new British movie company with aims to be the largest and most prolific provider of international action films in the UK and Western Europe. Their first film NEMESIS was extremely successful across the United States and around the world. RENEGADES is distributed by the acclaimed 101 Films.
Daniel Zirilli directed “Renegades” back to back in 2021/2022 with “Phoenix” – a female driven revenge thriller starring Natalie Eva Marie and MMA legend Randy Couture shot in Miami and Las Vegas. He also directed “Acceleration” starring Dolph Lundgren and the actioner “The Asian Connection” starring Steven Seagal & Michael Jai White. With these directorial skills under his belt Renegades has a unique action feel to the film. Renegades is produced by husband and wife team Jonathan and Jeanine Sothcott. Jonathan whose past successes include Vendetta and We Still Kill the Old Way. Jeanine is known for many acting roles including Shogun Film productions Nemesis and Renegades. She is also a blackbelt in Karate.
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