Game for Vultures

Game for Vultures

Year: 1979

Runtime: 113 mins

Language: English

Director: James Fargo

Action

War creates both killers and profiteers. South African businessman David Swansey smuggles illegal German‑made helicopters into Rhodesia, fueling the conflict. Patriotic guerrilla leader Gideon Marunga discovers the scheme and vows to stop the arms trade, sparking a tense confrontation.

Game for Vultures (1979) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

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In the waning years of the 1970s, Rhodesia burns under a relentless bush war that pits a beleaguered government against a mounting guerrilla movement. International sanctions have turned the region into a shadow market where every shipment, every whisper of supply, carries the weight of geopolitics. The landscape is a patchwork of dusty airstrips, rugged countryside, and a tense atmosphere that crackles with the uncertainty of a conflict that refuses to be contained by borders.

Amid this turmoil, David Swansey operates as a charismatic but pragmatic South African businessman whose fortunes are tied to the flow of military hardware. He navigates the gray zones between legality and profit, arranging the movement of aircraft that could tip the balance of power. His demeanor reflects a cold efficiency, yet there is an undercurrent of personal ambition that keeps him moving forward even as the world around him teeters on the brink.

Opposite him stands Gideon Marunga, a determined guerrilla commander whose sense of duty to his people drives him to confront the very mechanisms that sustain the war. He sees the influx of foreign weapons as a direct threat to the hopes of a liberated future and vows to halt the trade at any cost. The film watches these two figures move through the same fraught environment, their paths destined to intersect in a quiet, tension‑laden exchange that speaks louder than words. With a restrained, observant style, the story paints a portrait of loyalty, consequence, and the heavy price exacted when profit and patriotism collide.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 17:55

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Grim geopolitical thrillers like Game for Vultures

Stories where political pragmatism and high-stakes deals eclipse traditional morality.For viewers seeking movies like Game for Vultures, this list focuses on tense political thrillers that explore the ruthless world of arms dealing, war profiteering, and moral compromise. These films share a grim, observant tone and a heavy emotional weight, presenting a stark view of international conflicts.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically follow individuals or organizations operating in the shadowy intersections of politics and commerce during wartime. The central conflict arises from the collision between personal ambition or survival and the devastating consequences of their actions, often leading to an unresolved or morally bleak conclusion.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the bleak realities of geopolitical maneuvering, their tense and pragmatic tone, and their exploration of characters who are neither purely heroic nor villainous. They all depict a world where ideals are sacrificed for pragmatism.

High-stakes confrontation thrillers like Game for Vultures

Tense cat-and-mouse games involving illegal deals and opposing ideologies.If you liked the tense cat-and-mouse dynamic in Game for Vultures between the arms dealer and the guerrilla leader, this list features similar movies about clandestine operations and high-stakes confrontations. These films are characterized by steady pacing, high intensity, and ambiguous resolutions.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern revolves around a high-stakes, often illegal, enterprise that draws the attention of a formidable adversary. The plot methodically builds suspense as the two forces—the profiteer and the disruptor—move toward a direct clash, with the outcome often leaving lasting consequences unresolved.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a core structure of a dangerous operation attracting a powerful opposition, creating a sustained tense atmosphere. They are united by their steady pacing, high intensity, focus on clandestine activities, and an ending that often reflects the complexity of the conflict.

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