All-out war between the United States and an Asian country is averted when the two sides agree to settle their differences by each choosing a single soldier as champion and having the two men fight to the death on an isolated island.
Acting
Sam Elliott's early career intensity, already fully formed
Production
Island location work that's somehow claustrophobic and cheap
Writing
The premise commits so hard you have to respect it
Director
George McCowan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This aired as an ABC Movie of the Week during the Vietnam War, making its 'war is stupid actually' message either brave or cowardly depending on how charitable you're feeling.
The 'single combat to settle international disputes' trope pops up everywhere from The Hunger Games to Batman v Superman, but this might be the most literal, bureaucratic version ever filmed.
US
