I’ve tried to bribe a customs officer in Zimbabwe airport in the 1980’s by offering him 3 bottles of Heineken beer. They put me in jail. Next morning the customs officer came to me in my cell. I asked him why they’ve put me in jail for 24 hrs. The officer said, with that wonderfull African accent: “do you really believe that you can bribe me with 3 bottles of piss?’ I said I’m sorry but couldn’t find any other brand, the shelfs in the shop were all empty. The officer answerd: “Whe are no longer a third world country. We have come up in the world. Next time bring four bottles.” And I was free to go... True story.
This scene is beautiful because of it's lack of words. In lack of better terms, this is a bribe. Walken's character brought all of that to get past customs. The drinks, the magazine, the smokes and the money (multiple currencies to make sure the customs official could pick and choose). A gentle dance of bribery where the customs official thought he was getting a good deal but Walkens has plenty more up his sleeve. It was the real price of addition into the country.
Seen and agreed. This is a good example of why every African state is a failed state . The corruption is rife in all sectors . Regimes change as often as underwear , followed by civil wars , civil unrests and of course hunger and if that is not enough tribal disputes with genocide thrown in for good measure .
Booze, cigarettes & porno - excellent bartering tools in the 3rd world. Once that underpaid customs officer or border guard has gotten his hands on some rare American treats, he no longer cares to go looking for the AKs in the trunk or the kilo of heroin in your underwear. In this scene, I originally heard the officer say "Do you have a drinking permit?" (instead of "drinking problem") which is precisely the way a customs official would ask for a bribe without being too obvious. I've also heard "special liquor tax" or "special tobacco tax", which literally means "Give me half or I'll take 100% of it."
Even though most of "The Dogs of War" is pretty mediocre, I've always loved this scene a lot. Olu Jacobs and Christopher Walken both do an incredible amount of subtle acting here. Jacobs' character knows full well that Walken's character is full of shit, but instead of calling him out, he takes advantage of him instead, blatantly robbing him while he's forced to watch. The whole scene plays out so simply, yet also so perfectly, and I love the foley sounds, they're especially good in this scene for some reason. Either way, one of my favourite little moments in cinema.
I loved the book. Listening to it now on Audible. The Day of the Jackal and The Odessa File were such good movies I had high hopes for this one which were dashed, despite the presence of Walken.
Very good movie, I saw it at the cinema when it first came out, based on a novel by Frederick Forsyth....there are many great scenes like this one, Walken's character is a mercenary and of course he is on a reconnaissance mission for a planned coup which he has been commissioned to carry out.....needless to say things don't quite go to plan while he is undercover, this scene of his arrival is quite important not only in showing the corruption and lawlessness of the country he has entered it also demonstrates that he is not really in control of anything and is a taste of what is to come, lets just say things go from bad to worse....I would highly recommend the movie , it is quite harrowing in places but riveting too and very watchable.
Ukraine 2017 for me. We're musicians they tried to confiscate our instruments, combined value 25000usd. Only stopped when they realized they qould have to beat us and throw us in jail. Still love the place though. Haha
I used to work with some aircraft engineers who were in Africa in the 1970s when my airline leased aircraft. They had some great stories from that tie.
It's always been a part of the mosaic of African life. Here it goes...well before European colonization, African tribes exploited one another, including using captives as slaves. When Europeans arrived for the slave trade, it was merely a matter of different players in a centuries old game.
Most Americans and western Europeans seem shocked by this. But graft is the way business is done in Mexico and most all points south of the Rio Grande.
@@bdinaz Then again look at Washington DC, Congress people show up with nothing and leaving damn near billionaires..... should be changed to the District of Corruption.
@@darkstormy1545 Totally agree. The political class in the US needs to be removed and replaced by non-professional politicians. But at the local level graft in the US is damn near non existent. It is practically unthinkable that a local policeman would brazenly exchange favors for a payoff. It is not part of the culture like it is in points south.
Welcome to Zangaro! I thought their were a drinking problem with the water. There is-one for you and one for me. Only corrupted nations can become prey.
@mdo686 The answer is $14.5 trillion that means that’s the equivalent of every single adult in the country owing $150,000. And you’re trying to tell me that the government doesn’t take too much?
@mdo686 What you're trying to say is that banks prey on people. That $14.5 trillion is total debt mortgage, student loans, CC, etc. You also must understand that banks don't loan money they have. When they make a loan or a CC purchase is made that money materializes out of thin air.
“Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?”― Tennessee Williams
@@twt000 You mean an Indonesian airport is better than the whole country of the USA? This is indeed impressive. Do all Indonesians live at such wealthy airports?
Many citizens from countries where corruption is rife complain "ooooh my country is soooo poor, there is sooo much corruption boo hoo" (yes Brazilians I am thinking about you especially). HOWEVER..... later in the conversation, they will always laugh abut how it is possible to bribe people to get what they want and they always tell this version PROUDLY as if it is a great achievement without realising that they are the reason corruption continues in their country. Try this little experiment: the next time someone is complaining about 'the terrible corruption in their country', tell them that you just got points on your licence because of speeding and then wait for them to tell you about how they/their dad/their best friend always gets caught and just pays the police officer etc...
Strange thing is if you laugh about it like a friend of mine did you can sometimes get away with a lot more. I had a friend hide 50 dollars USA in his sock who went back and gave it to the guy on the customs because he felt bad he missed it, he ended up dating the security guards sisters!
I went through Ukraine-Moldova border May, 2023 during the war and Ukrainian border agents search my luggages like I was a smuggler until they saw my Olympic medal then they said "Good" and let me go. Maybe I will stick a $100 bill next time.
There is a part where they are toasting "Everybody goes home." the French guy says something in French. "Vevla Vo, Vevla gell Vevla someting seconel" Or something to that effect. Can anybody translate?
he repeats the french motto, "vive la mort, vive la guerre, vive le sacre mercenaire" (long live death, long live war, long live the sacred mercenary) altered version of French Foreign Legion's toast, vive la mort, vive la guerre, vive la legion etrangere.
Well, he knows the score and will come back and kill everybody in sight! God, I was 25 in 1980 and was in my third year flying canceled checks in a Cessna 310 Q. I really Sharpe on instrument flying then. I didn't even have my ATP then, I took that check ride in '81. Good movie. More Cowbell!
In the early 80s, I was in the first half of my 20s and working in the Middle East. I've memories of a few very similar experiences with customs officials. 😊
i read a along detailed article which gives evidence that le carre based the book on a real event with one excepetion it got as far as the boat trip but fell through. but upto that point the book was so detailed and knowlagable and matched this reall failed coup attemp by merceneries
I once found myself in Gabon. I was there in advance of the arrival of a VERY wealthy U.S. gentleman who had a desire to see some gorillas in the wild. MY job was to ensure his smooth arrival, visit, and departure. Let's just say there were similarities to this scene. 😉
That's obvious. But by acknowledging the issue, the customs agent admits to it as well as trying to minimize the impact of bad water to him and his own. He knows he's a thief, but that's the country he lives in.
I’ve tried to bribe a customs officer in Zimbabwe airport in the 1980’s by offering him 3 bottles of Heineken beer. They put me in jail. Next morning the customs officer came to me in my cell. I asked him why they’ve put me in jail for 24 hrs. The officer said, with that wonderfull African accent: “do you really believe that you can bribe me with 3 bottles of piss?’ I said I’m sorry but couldn’t find any other brand, the shelfs in the shop were all empty. The officer answerd: “Whe are no longer a third world country. We have come up in the world. Next time bring four bottles.” And I was free to go... True story.
And now they are crying for white people to come back to get their agricultural industry going.
😀😀😀next time bring 4 bottles
He was right about the heineken tho...
@@aldosigmann419 🤣😅
@THE ORACLE imagine if he would of walked in there with a 6 pack of bud light.
He probably would of been sentence to a year. 🤣
"I thought there might be a problem with the water." ... "There is." 🤣
This scene is beautiful because of it's lack of words. In lack of better terms, this is a bribe. Walken's character brought all of that to get past customs. The drinks, the magazine, the smokes and the money (multiple currencies to make sure the customs official could pick and choose). A gentle dance of bribery where the customs official thought he was getting a good deal but Walkens has plenty more up his sleeve. It was the real price of addition into the country.
Multiple currencies primarily to sell his cover story as a birdwatcher, I assume.
@@GeneralSamov Pictures of birds?
@@CD-yr8tw
Well, he came to Zangaro to take the pictures, not to sell them/make an exposition.
Seen and agreed. This is a good example of why every African state is a failed state . The corruption is rife in all sectors . Regimes change as often as underwear , followed by civil wars , civil unrests and of course hunger and if that is not enough tribal disputes with genocide thrown in for good measure .
Walkens character knew exactly what to bring to clear customs. He knew he'd get shaken down.
Customs official was no dummy either. He knew not to completely break him but to take enough since he figured he was up to no good.
Booze, cigarettes & porno - excellent bartering tools in the 3rd world. Once that underpaid customs officer or border guard has gotten his hands on some rare American treats, he no longer cares to go looking for the AKs in the trunk or the kilo of heroin in your underwear.
In this scene, I originally heard the officer say "Do you have a drinking permit?" (instead of "drinking problem") which is precisely the way a customs official would ask for a bribe without being too obvious. I've also heard "special liquor tax" or "special tobacco tax", which literally means "Give me half or I'll take 100% of it."
@@ironroad18 Up to no good? Not that stage, later on they did though.
I usually take a case of Keystone Light when I cross the border into Iowa... you never know.
Just bring a case of Ranch Salad Dressing.
Bring a VHS of _Field of Dreams_
Works like a charm
This is what it feels like in the Argentine customs.
Welcome to Argentina.
Reminds me of the Police in Mexico. How much is the fine for speeding? $20. Okay here you are.
Same in India.
Even though most of "The Dogs of War" is pretty mediocre, I've always loved this scene a lot. Olu Jacobs and Christopher Walken both do an incredible amount of subtle acting here. Jacobs' character knows full well that Walken's character is full of shit, but instead of calling him out, he takes advantage of him instead, blatantly robbing him while he's forced to watch. The whole scene plays out so simply, yet also so perfectly, and I love the foley sounds, they're especially good in this scene for some reason. Either way, one of my favourite little moments in cinema.
I loved the book. Listening to it now on Audible. The Day of the Jackal and The Odessa File were such good movies I had high hopes for this one which were dashed, despite the presence of Walken.
This a memorable scene!
Add one thing. The customs agent is with no doubt a very competent professional.
Je sees a nice sort of bloke who is willing to be fair so long as he gets his smokes, Bailey, and penthouse magazine.
Very good movie, I saw it at the cinema when it first came out, based on a novel by Frederick Forsyth....there are many great scenes like this one, Walken's character is a mercenary and of course he is on a reconnaissance mission for a planned coup which he has been commissioned to carry out.....needless to say things don't quite go to plan while he is undercover, this scene of his arrival is quite important not only in showing the corruption and lawlessness of the country he has entered it also demonstrates that he is not really in control of anything and is a taste of what is to come, lets just say things go from bad to worse....I would highly recommend the movie , it is quite harrowing in places but riveting too and very watchable.
I get the feeling he didn't get the terrible outcome from his mission, but succeeded only barely in achieving the recon.
Wow the airport reminds me of Rangoon international airport back in the 70s-yep- had to walk to customs- bring your gifts- lol
Its now the same again since 1. Feb 2021
I can only imagine people that weren't prepared.
Do you have drinking problems Mr brown 😂😂😂🙌
I'll never bitch about clearing customs again.
Olu Jacobs,legendary Nigerian actor,he was also in Ashanti with Sir Michael Michael Keane.
Great actor
That my friends is Belize international airport at that time.
Lol I flew into Belize Intl in 2012. Had no problems then but man I would not want to have a problem there!
@@Luckydobb loved Belize but you've got to watch yourself there
@@Luckydobb Yep, just ask J. Mcafee.
Those filterless luckies....what a good time
LSMFT yes!!
Arrival tax, landing tax, disembarking tax.
I did some work in the third world and that is exactly what it was like 😂
Ukraine 2017 for me.
We're musicians they tried to confiscate our instruments, combined value 25000usd. Only stopped when they realized they qould have to beat us and throw us in jail.
Still love the place though. Haha
I used to work with some aircraft engineers who were in Africa in the 1970s when my airline leased aircraft.
They had some great stories from that tie.
The airport has not changed, I never take alcohol and cigarettes in there anymore.
In the not too distant future: "Welcome to the United States."
How many of you would argue that corruption in Africa has increased over the past 40 years?
It's always been a part of the mosaic of African life. Here it goes...well before European colonization, African tribes exploited one another, including using captives as slaves. When Europeans arrived for the slave trade, it was merely a matter of different players in a centuries old game.
Most Americans and western Europeans seem shocked by this.
But graft is the way business is done in Mexico and most all points south of the Rio Grande.
Yes, and how's that working out for them?
@@darkstormy1545 not at all well.
@@bdinaz Then again look at Washington DC, Congress people show up with nothing and leaving damn near billionaires..... should be changed to the District of Corruption.
@@darkstormy1545 Totally agree.
The political class in the US needs to be removed and replaced by non-professional politicians.
But at the local level graft in the US is damn near non existent.
It is practically unthinkable that a local policeman would brazenly exchange favors for a payoff. It is not part of the culture like it is in points south.
Man! At least it's the regular guy doing it, here in England it's only when you have a title you can looked shocked if people resent this.
Welcome to Zangaro! I thought their were a drinking problem with the water. There is-one for you and one for me. Only corrupted nations can become prey.
Nothing has changed in 40 years. . .
Not true - they now have card readers as well...
Only that Zangaro is now called Wakanda. ;°)
A friend of mine from Zimbabwe says at least the crooks in the government back home let you keep a little.
@mdo686 I'm saying our politicians don't even leave us a little.
@mdo686 No, the bank OWNS those houses, cars, boats and planes. You are living in a dream world. Tell me what's the total credit card debt?
@mdo686 No, I mean the total credit card debt of the nation. You are the exception, what do you think is going on all around you?
@mdo686 The answer is $14.5 trillion that means that’s the equivalent of every single adult in the country owing $150,000. And you’re trying to tell me that the government doesn’t take too much?
@mdo686 What you're trying to say is that banks prey on people. That $14.5 trillion is total debt mortgage, student loans, CC, etc. You also must understand that banks don't loan money they have. When they make a loan or a CC purchase is made that money materializes out of thin air.
Similar expereince in Lagos Nigeria almost 20 years ago.
“Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?”― Tennessee Williams
man, that was deep!
nothing goes over my head my reflexes are to fast. id catch it
"In my jungle you'd be just another asshole."
Just carry a stack of Zimbabwean Dollars and let the local custom guys keep it.
Uncomfortable toilet paper. Lol.
Homeland Security - Zangaro style
Welcome to Africa
This movie is fully real.
Kind of reminds of the last time that I travelled to Indonesia
Must have been decades ago Indonesia is modern now with some airports better than the US.
@@twt000 It was not at an airport,, it was at Batam ferry terminal after crossing from Singapore
@@twt000 You mean an Indonesian airport is better than the whole country of the USA? This is indeed impressive. Do all Indonesians live at such wealthy airports?
@@pawelpap9 I said some are nicer than some in the US. Jakarta is a modern city too.
I'd read the book a decade or so before this movie was available. They tried hard to capture the original vibe.
Many citizens from countries where corruption is rife complain "ooooh my country is soooo poor, there is sooo much corruption boo hoo" (yes Brazilians I am thinking about you especially).
HOWEVER..... later in the conversation, they will always laugh abut how it is possible to bribe people to get what they want and they always tell this version PROUDLY as if it is a great achievement without realising that they are the reason corruption continues in their country.
Try this little experiment: the next time someone is complaining about 'the terrible corruption in their country', tell them that you just got points on your licence because of speeding and then wait for them to tell you about how they/their dad/their best friend always gets caught and just pays the police officer etc...
Looks like Argentina year 2015.
It happened to you?
So very accurate lol
"Airport tax"!
That customs officer did have a sense of humour, but he look slightly disapprovingly of the dirty magazine.
Very good movie, watch it.
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ah.i watch this amazing scenes sure 200 time.its to funny Walken ,really funny the espression.great.
Lagos 10 years ago....🤣 Good times, good times...🤢😖🤪
Same situation?
Strange thing is if you laugh about it like a friend of mine did you can sometimes get away with a lot more. I had a friend hide 50 dollars USA in his sock who went back and gave it to the guy on the customs because he felt bad he missed it, he ended up dating the security guards sisters!
Nigeria is still the same with foreigners 😅
I went through Ukraine-Moldova border May, 2023 during the war and Ukrainian border agents search my luggages like I was a smuggler until they saw my Olympic medal then they said "Good" and let me go. Maybe I will stick a $100 bill next time.
Don't forget whiskey and a penthouse magazine.
ohh my dear God! Monumental scene!
President Harris Admin Equity Council, crossing border from NC to VA - LOL, it's coming
Damn Maricopa County
I am Japanese. Look!「Jamie Shanno's mercenaries prep up to hit Zangaro」
What's the name of this song?
Please tell me! Please!
SWEDISH CUSTOMS. AIRPORT TAX. IMPORTATION TAX.
“I take pictures of birds and so on.”
“Pictures of birds?”
“Yes”
*suggestive lip licking*
“In there...”
A glimpse into the near future here in the US! 🤐
Near future? It's already happening on most motorways.
I believe it. TSA relieved me some of my tools when I got my luggage back.
@jeff nomad The current sitting President aka 'Mr. Big' always gets his 10%. Just ask his kids. Also your TDS is showing. 🤣
Welcome to santiago... 😆
I came here becuz I just saw this movie on legend actor Olu Jacobs Instagram page. What a legend you are Mr. Jacobs!!
Read the book, trust me the final words about why he is a mercenary and why he carried out the coup is Shakespeare.
Shes FINE
There is a part where they are toasting "Everybody goes home." the French guy says something in French. "Vevla Vo, Vevla gell Vevla someting seconel" Or something to that effect. Can anybody translate?
he repeats the french motto, "vive la mort, vive la guerre, vive le sacre mercenaire" (long live death, long live war, long live the sacred mercenary) altered version of French Foreign Legion's toast, vive la mort, vive la guerre, vive la legion etrangere.
Well, he knows the score and will come back and kill everybody in sight! God, I was 25 in 1980 and was in my third year flying canceled checks in a Cessna 310 Q. I really Sharpe on instrument flying then. I didn't even have my ATP then, I took that check ride in '81. Good movie. More Cowbell!
In the early 80s, I was in the first half of my 20s and working in the Middle East. I've memories of a few very similar experiences with customs officials. 😊
BLM tax
Bud Light Matters?
i read a along detailed article which gives evidence that le carre based the book on a real event with one excepetion it got as far as the boat trip but fell through. but upto that point the book was so detailed and knowlagable and matched this reall failed coup attemp by merceneries
This is military order number 602. Long live President Kimba!
"The man with the rubber gloves was surprisingly gentle..."
.... I'm a birder and I drink. lol 😂
That's Africa
Is that President Lamba from wild geese
I am CULTURE and l am sex and LAUGH
I once found myself in Gabon. I was there in advance of the arrival of a VERY wealthy U.S. gentleman who had a desire to see some gorillas in the wild. MY job was to ensure his smooth arrival, visit, and departure. Let's just say there were similarities to this scene. 😉
Hey, business is business
Not Billie an me
excellent..
If people would wise-up and stop going to places like that their little skimming game would come to super quick stop.
If Europeans and Americans stop going to places like Zangaro, who's going to overthrow the government for corrupt mining multinationals?
Or alternatively turn up in such numbers that it is worth developing a tourist trade.
I wonder how they take 10% of your bitcoins in 2021.
How do I find the full movie please
Still cheaper than PAYE
Indeed ! I bet they welcome Latinos without customs too.
Customs official don’t see race, they see opportunity
Perks of the job...
igualito que en venezuela jajajaj
😂😂😂airport tax
Yup
TIA...
"There are usually problems with the water in crappy Third World countries."
I should write for movies.
That's obvious. But by acknowledging the issue, the customs agent admits to it as well as trying to minimize the impact of bad water to him and his own. He knows he's a thief, but that's the country he lives in.
Actually nowadays there are stricter rules
This movie was done in Ghana.
british honduras (fact)
Apparently Africa has borders.