The Hunters

During the Korean War, Major Cleve 'Iceman' Saville returns to combat and is placed in command of a flight by Colonel Imil. He is eager to prove himself again in the F-86 Sabre and to shape the squad under his leadership. The assignment marks the start of a mentor-mentee dynamic with the new replacement pilot, Pell.

Lieutenant Ed Pell arrives as a talented but brash replacement pilot. He is top of his class in flight school, and Saville recognizes his potential as well as the risk his ego poses. The dynamic between old war hero and ambitious youngster begins to form.

On his first mission Pell abandons his element leader to pursue a group of MiG-15s, resulting in the death of the other pilot. Saville views Pell's actions as dangerous disobedience and a threat to the unit. The incident foreshadows ongoing tension between mentor and student.

Saville pushes to have Pell reassigned due to his reckless behavior, but Colonel Imil overrules him, believing Pell could be the next Saville. The disagreement deepens the strain between command and the brash pilot.

Lieutenant Carl Abbott, a pilot who lacks confidence, becomes a personal concern for Saville. His wife Kristina asks Saville to watch over him, creating a war-time triangle of duty and romance within the squad.

Abbott propositions a shocking deal: offer his wife in exchange for the opportunity to go one-on-one with Casey Jones if they should ever meet the ace. Saville refuses, viewing it as an unethical bargain that would endanger his marriage and mission.

On a mission soon after, Abbott tangles with Casey Jones and is shot down behind enemy lines. Saville then destroys Casey Jones, the feared ace, and begins a search for his fellow pilot among hostile territory.

Disobeying standing orders, Saville crash-lands his aircraft near enemy lines to reach the injured Abbott. He cuts Abbott down from a tree and fights off threats as they try to escape.

Pell strafes pursuing enemy infantry, aiding his comrades, but is shot down and joins Saville and Abbott on the ground. The trio continues their dangerous trek toward safety.

A Korean Christian farmer and his family shelter the three airmen. When a patrol passes, they hide, but in their haste they leave behind a flight jacket, which is discovered by the enemy. The entire family is executed in retaliation, a brutal reminder of the costs of war.

Saville and Pell ambush and wipe out the enemy patrol that killed the farmer family. Saville is wounded in the shoulder during the fight, but the trio presses on toward the UN lines.

Exhausted, hungry, the three airmen finally reach the safety of UN lines. The escape marks a hard-won victory over the perilous journey behind enemy lines.

In a military hospital Saville and Abbott convalesce. Abbott is to be transferred back to the U.S., and his brush with death changes his priorities as he asks Kristina for another chance; she decides to go with him.