Game for Vultures

Plot

It is the late 1970s, and smuggler David Swansey (Richard Harris) specialises in importing goods to war-torn Rhodesia, defying international sanctions imposed on the doomed nation. Swansey is eventually contracted by the Ian Smith administration to arrange an illicit purchase of American-made Iroquois helicopters for counter-insurgency operations against black African nationalists. However, word of his plan soon reaches the latter, who apply strong political pressure to kill the deal in its cradle – the aircraft shipment in question is impounded upon reaching neighbouring South-West Africa.

Meanwhile, one of the many indigenous guerillas resisting the Rhodesian regime is Gideon Marunga (Roundtree), veteran combatant and reluctant participant in atrocities directed against unarmed civilians by his fellow insurgents. Marunga discovers that Swansey, with the aid of the Rhodesian Special Air Service and South African sympathizers, hopes to lead an armed raid on the airfield where the Iroquois are being temporarily held – with the intention of stealing them across the border into Rhodesia.

On the day of the assault, Marunga arrives at the airfield and stalls the attacking paratroops, while his accomplices succeed in destroying some of the helicopters. In the firefight which ensues he comes face to face with Swansey, and the two men subsequently share a weary moment of reflection on their stalemate. Both abruptly part ways; the smuggler permits his enemy to escape unarmed into the night.

As word of the foiled transaction spreads, Swansey finds himself unable to continue conducting business on the global scale and is restricted to Rhodesia, where he faces conscription into active duty with the security forces. The films storyline closes as Marunga and Swansey confront each other on the battlefield again – this time through the sights of their rifles.

Cast

Soundtrack

The music was composed by Tony Duhig and Jon Field, who together comprised the British group Jade Warrior.

Reception

Though generally well-written and produced, Game for Vultures was not a massive commercial or critical success. Some critics condemned the apparent bias of the plot, which ran counter to the traditionally accepted view of Rhodesias predominantly white government as being a racially oppressive one, while its black nationalist opponents were widely regarded as freedom fighters representing a just cause.

In addition, this film was overtaken by actual events, as the war came to an end before the film reached wide distribution. It saw some success in video sales, on VHS and in a DVD Region 2 release.