Mercenary Fighters (1988)

The president of an African country wants to boost his economy with a new dam. He ignores the protests of the tribes in the flooded region, so they declare rebellion. To avoid bad publicity... See full summary »

Director:

Riki Shelach Nissimoff

Writers:

Andrew Deutsch, Bud Schaetzle (screenplay),

Stars:

Jerry Biggs, Reb Brown, Henry Cele

Cast

Credited cast:
Jerry Biggs
Reb Brown	...	D.J. Christian
Henry Cele	...	Jaunde
Robert DoQui	...	Colonel Kjemba
Peter Fonda	...	Virelli
James Mitchum	...	Wilson
Ron O'Neal	...	Cliff Taylor
Ian Steadman
Joanna Weinberg	...	Nurse Warwick

Storyline

The president of an African country wants to boost his economy with a new dam. He ignores the protests of the tribes in the flooded region, so they declare rebellion. To avoid bad publicity, the president doesn't use his army, but hires four international mercenaries, who shall find tribes leader Kuruba and smother the protest. However after learning about the tribes motivation, the Vietnam veterans T.J. and Cliff realize how they're being used and reconsider.

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Plot Keywords:

africa | independent film

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Taglines:

War is hell. Especially if you fight on both sides.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

South Africa USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

February 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Freedom Fighters

Filming Locations:

South Africa

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cannon Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to actor Richard Kiel in his autobiography "Making it Big in the Movies", he only turned down four roles in his whole life and the part that Peter Fonda plays in this movie is one of them.

User Reviews

Solid genre film

If action is your genre, this film won't disappoint. The story never sags as it follows its band of mercenaries through a mine field of shifting loyalties and enemies. This movie has great visuals throughout and a solid ensemble cast led by Peter Fonda. Characterization is minimal, which is typical with this type of story, but the actors do a good job of keeping it real. The female love interest is especially good in her role as the nurse who risks her own life to defend the tribe. While it's true that nothing in this film stands out as truly memorable, it is definitely one of the better, older action films I've come across. If you're in the mood for something literary, skip it, this is pure pulp, but it's entertaining and delivers the goods the genre demands.