That's what the local British people thought of the American troops stationed in the North of England during War World II: They are over paid, over sexed and over here. Divided by a common language and a very different view of the world. John Schlesinger is a director I adore - Midnight Cowboy, Darling, Sunday Bloody Sunday, just to mention three titles. The actors in a Schlesinger film, from Alan Bates to Dustin Hoffman to Peter Finch are at their best but never as compellingly than Richard Gere in Yanks. A performance of such beauty that one wonders why we haven't seen more of this Richard Gere. Enthralling, romantic and truthful, profoundly so. Lisa Eichhorn is also a stand out. Her English rose (Lisa Eichhorn is an American) is a throwback to the best English actresses of the 1940's. Vanessa Redgrave and Rachel Roberts also provide a unique glimpse into the Britishness of the story. Loved it, loved it, loved it.

Back in his old stamping ground of Northern England,Mr Schlesinger reverts to what he knows best - the portrayal of working - class English people,bloody - minded,loyal,funny,kind,often angry and raging at the machine. Yes "Yanks" is ostensibly about the impact on a small English town of large numbers of American soldiers prior to the invasion of Europe in 1944,but it is the native population who make the greatest impression on the viewer. All the more ironic then that the female lead,Miss Eichhorn should be an American,albeit one with a totally convincing accent...far more so than many who grace our TV screens and seem to think that a RADA all - purpose "Northern" is anything more than derisory and even insulting. Mr.Gere has a boyish charm as an army baker(possibly the least warlike job in the military)who falls for Miss Eichhorn despite her being seriously involved with a long - term boyfriend presently in the British Army(the splendid Mr Thompson). Scacely surprisingly this does not meet with the approval of the girl's mother(the tragic Miss Roberts)and much of the tension of "Yanks" is in the conflict between mother and daughter. Much less convincing is the middle - class romance between Miss Redgrave and Mr Devane which lacks passion(although not lust) and neither character is in any way lifelike. The film was not much liked on its release in 1979,but distance has led to a certain enchantment as the period fades further into history and the fashion amongst certain British classes to affect disdain for Americans in general and the American military in particular has grown in inverse proportion to the average Brits dogged determination to,perhaps grudgingly like the outgoing,generous,amiable,and well - meaning Yanks.As in 1944 so in 2013. There is not so much love about that we can afford to discard it. That was the message of "A kind of loving" set in peacetime England,and it is the message of "Yanks",set in a time of hatred.

John Schlesinger returns to the land of his early, wonderful "A Kind Of Loving" and "Billy Liar" for a cross-cultural love story with a critical but undoubtedly affectionate eye. Richard Gere, pre-"American Gigolo" is terrific as Matt, the cook who falls for Jean, the local English rose played beautifully by the splendid American actress, Lisa Eichhorn. The Americans posted in the North of England felt truly abroad, they could hardly understand the lingo. For the locals it was a different story, they understood the American GI's because after all, they spoke like Gary Cooper. The elders look at the abrasive newcomers with politeness but also with a tinge of suspicion. There was a catch phrase at the time to describe the American troops: "They're overpaid, oversexed and over here" The cultural differences go beyond language and in a masterful writing stroke tells us why. Richard Gere tells Lisa Eichhorn about his dreams for the future - building a chain of Motels across America - while her British boyfriend dreams of getting married and building their home above his parents shop. Lisa Eichhorn's Jane is the perfect "man in the middle" attached to her parents (the wonderful Rachel Roberts and Tony Melody)world, and at the same time, she is fascinated by Richard Gere's look at the American dream - the "everything is possible" mentality. The film is a gem. Unfairly overlooked in its day but now on its 30th anniversary risks to be rediscovered and and re-evaluated. It certainly deserves another life.

My children were just babies when I saw this movie at the theater in 1979. I really loved it and have all these years. I guess the romance and the finality of goodbyes, not knowing what could happen made it all the more intense. The racism scene was hard to watch, very hard. I am sure things like that went on though. It is a treasure in my huge movie collection. I hope someday to visit England and be able to see some of the towns that were in this movie.Richard Gere is a wonderful Actor and this was the very first time I had heard about him or had ever seen him in a movie.He brought a realism to this part, he was a perfect guy to play an American soldier! Talking about it has made me want to look at it tonight!!