The Wild Geese

Allen Faulkner meets Sir Edward Matherson in London, where the banker proposes rescuing Julius Limbani, the deposed southern African leader, from execution. The plan hinges on assembling a mercenary force capable of breaking him out of a remote prison guarded by General Ndofa's Simbas. Faulkner agrees and begins assessing who he can recruit for the mission.

Faulkner enlists Captain Rafer Janders, a skilled tactician and single father, as his core commander. They then bring in Shawn Fynn, a pilot-turned-smuggler, who helps with the prison escape. Sandy Young is recruited as sergeant-major, and Fynn introduces Pieter Coetzee, a former SA Defence Force operative, expanding the team to fifty mercenaries.

The fifty-strong mercenary force trains under the harsh leadership of Sandy Young in Swaziland. Faulkner reinforces his personal commitment by promising to watch over Janders’ son Emile should he not survive. The grueling regimen builds cohesion for the dangerous mission ahead.

With only a day's notice, the team parachutes into Zembala via a HALO jump on Christmas Day to begin the operation. One group secures the extraction point at a heavily guarded prison, while another group seizes a small airfield to await pickup. The mission immediately faces the challenge of coordinating with a possibly compromised rescue plan.

Back in London, Matherson unexpectedly cancels the planned extraction after secretly trading copper mining assets with General Ndofa. The mission's success becomes uncertain as the mercenaries are left stranded deep behind enemy lines. They must improvise under heavy risk as Ndofa’s forces close in.

The mercenaries press on through hostile bush country while Ndofa's Simbas give pursuit, taking a heavy toll. Coetzee is killed amid the fighting, marking a grim turning point for the team. Survival becomes more urgent as supplies dwindle and loyalty is tested.

The survivors reach Limbani's home village, but the locals are ill-equipped to mount a rebellion against Ndofa's regime. An Irish missionary hints at a possible escape via a Douglas Dakota transport aircraft. The plan rekindles hope despite the overwhelming odds.

In a climactic defense, the mercenaries hold off the Simbas to allow Fynn to start the Dakota's engines. Janders is shot in the leg and cannot board the escaping aircraft, and Faulkner must shoot him to spare him capture. The remaining team fights to cover the withdrawal as shells whistle overhead.

Thirteen mercenaries survive the escape and reach Kariba Airport in Rhodesia, but Limbani dies from a gunshot wound sustained during the escape. The mission ends in tragedy for Limbani and mixed relief for the remaining mercenaries. The price of freedom weighs heavily on Faulkner and his men.

Months later, Faulkner returns to London to confront Matherson with Fynn’s help. They break into Matherson’s home, and Faulkner takes half a million dollars from the safe to compensate survivors and families. Matherson attempts to bribe him to spare his life, but Faulkner shoots him and escapes with Fynn.

Faulkner fulfills his promise to Janders by visiting Emile at his boarding school. The quiet return home offers a glimmer of normalcy after the turmoil of Zembala and the escape. The film closes on a note of duty fulfilled and uncertain future.