The Soldier

The Soldier

Year: 1982

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: English

Director: James Glickenhaus

ActionDrama

The story follows a lethal operative, unleashed to confront a terrorist group that has seized a plutonium‑laden bomb and threatens to blow up a Saudi Arabian oil field. An elite anti‑terrorist unit is deployed to thwart the plot and prevent a catastrophic disaster, and the mission tests their skill and resolve as they race against time.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Soldier (1982)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Soldier (1982). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 1980s

Set during the height of the Cold War, a period marked by geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet bloc. Espionage, brinkmanship, and the threat of nuclear war dominate the atmosphere. The narrative hinges on clandestine actions and urgent decisions that could reshape global power dynamics.

Location

United States, Austria, West Berlin, East Berlin, Saudi Arabia, Israel

The action unfolds across multiple locations: the United States where the plot to seize a plutonium device begins, the Austrian Alps where espionage unfolds, and the divided city of Berlin (both West and East) amid the Cold War. The mission also lands in Saudi Arabia at the Ghawar Oil Field, where the threat of detonation casts a shadow over global oil reserves. Key scenes occur in Washington, the Israeli embassy, and a Kansas missile silo, illustrating a web of international stakes and covert operations.

🌍 Global 🧭 Political thriller 🛰️ Espionage

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:47

Main Characters – The Soldier (1982)

Meet the key characters of The Soldier (1982), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

The Soldier (Ken Wahl)

An elite CIA operative who works outside the regular chain of command. He is resourceful, fearless, and morally conflicted, taking the fight to the KGB while navigating a dangerous game of political doublespeak. His commitment to preventing catastrophe drives him to take extraordinary risks.

🧭 Spy 🗡️ Operative 🧠 Strategist

Susan Goodman (Alberta Watson)

Director of covert operations for Mossad, she partners with The Soldier to outmaneuver their enemy. She is composed, sharp, and unflinchingly pragmatic, coordinating intelligence with field action. Her alliance with The Soldier blends professional duty with personal resolve.

🧭 Intelligence 🗺️ Field Leader

The President (William Prince)

The U.S. President contemplates war in response to the looming threat, balancing geopolitical fallout with the need to avoid a global oil crisis. His decisions set the overall stakes and background tension for the mission. He ultimately relies on his aides to direct covert actions.

🗳️ Leader ⚖️ Decision-maker

Dracha (Klaus Kinski)

A ruthless KGB agent who becomes the central antagonist, orchestrating the nuclear plot and complicating The Soldier's pursuit. He exudes menace and cunning, playing a high-stakes game of brinkmanship. His presence amplifies the Cold War paranoia that drives the narrative.

🧭 Operative 🗡️ Villain

U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense (Jeffrey Jones)

A political figure involved in the security and military aspects of the crisis, navigating the tension between public diplomacy and covert operations. His actions and communications shape the official response to the threat. He embodies the bureaucratic machinery behind high-stakes decisions.

🧭 Policy 🏛️ Bureaucracy

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:47

Major Themes – The Soldier (1982)

Explore the central themes of The Soldier (1982), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Political Intrigue

Power struggles between the US government, the KGB, and Mossad drive the plot. Officials try to control information while operatives pursue the truth outside formal channels. Loyalties are tested as the crisis escalates and consequences become life-or-death.

☢️ Nuclear Threat

A stolen plutonium device and a potential detonation in Saudi Arabia threaten global oil reserves. The clock is ticking as teams race to locate and neutralize the weapon. The stakes are existential, pushing characters toward drastic, high-risk actions.

⚖️ Moral Ambiguity

The Soldier operates outside official channels, bending rules to avert catastrophe. Actions taken in private conflict with public policy, forcing viewers to weigh ends against means. The film probes whether extraordinary measures justify dubious methods.

🛡️ Rogue Hero

A lone operative challenges a powerful bureaucracy, risking everything to save the world while undermining official authority. The Soldier’s unilateral decisions create tension between individual prowess and institutional control. The result is a fragile balance between bravery and recklessness.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:47

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Race-Against-Time Thrillers Similar to The Soldier

Elite operatives work against a ticking clock to prevent global catastrophe.If you enjoyed the urgent, high-stakes mission in The Soldier, you'll find more movies like it here. This section features action-packed spy thrillers and explosive hero-vs-villain stories where a lone operative or team races against a ticking clock to prevent a world-altering disaster.

high-stakesurgentsuspensefultensegrippingrace against timeaction-packed

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread follow a clear countdown structure. A catastrophic event is imminent, forcing a highly skilled protagonist to undertake a series of dangerous, high-speed operations. The plot is linear and goal-oriented, with each obstacle increasing the tension as the deadline looms, culminating in a last-second confrontation to avert disaster.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their shared core structure of a time-sensitive mission, their high-intensity, fast-paced action, and a tense, urgent tone. They deliver a specific kind of suspense rooted in the pressure of a ticking clock and the scale of the threatened catastrophe.

Cold War Spy Stories with the Vibe of The Soldier

Stories of rogue operatives and shadowy agencies maneuvering on the global stage.For viewers who liked the Cold War setting and political maneuvering in The Soldier, this section collects similar movies. Explore tense espionage thrillers and international conspiracy stories featuring rogue agents, KGB and CIA intrigues, and missions that operate in the grey areas of global politics.

cold warespionageparanoidpoliticalconspiracytenseinternational intrigue

Narrative Summary

These narratives unfold in a world defined by East-West tensions. Protagonists are often disavowed or operating unofficially, navigating a landscape of double-crosses and shifting loyalties. The conflict is not just physical but deeply ideological and political, requiring cunning and unconventional solutions to outmaneuver powerful, shadowy opponents.

Why These Movies?

This group is defined by its distinct historical setting and the specific tone of Cold War-era suspicion. The movies share themes of international conspiracy, political blackmail, and the tension of operating in a world where a single misstep could trigger a larger conflict.

Unlock the Full Story of The Soldier

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The Soldier Summary

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The Soldier Summary

The Soldier Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Soldier with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Soldier Timeline

The Soldier Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Soldier Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Soldier

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