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Based on a true story, this film is fictional.

Real-life characters or events are mixed

with imaginary scenes taken from the authors' imaginations.

1964.

Congo is newly independent.

A bloody civil war reigns.

Simba rebels

have conquered half the land and now threaten the capital.

Central government is split into two factions.

That of Prime Minister Tshombe,

leader of the once secessionist Katanga region,

and that of young, ambitious Chief of Staff Mobutu.

Against the Simba,

the two rivals agree to call in foreign military aid.

Mercenaries.

Initially successful,

their epic tale will end in blood.

Today, one name from that era remains.

Bob Denard.

It won't be an easy fight

I have to admit.

How many are they? 5, 10 times,

20 times more than us. Maybe more.

We've nowhere to fall back.

We'll be shown no mercy.

The options are easy.

Win or die!

We've one trick up our sleeve.

We can hold out,

get stuck in. Provoke an abscess, a crisis.

Force international intervention. Anything's possible then.

So here's our strategy.

We hole up in town. Hold every street.

Every house. Every bit of wall.

Each hour that goes by is our gain, their loss.

General Mobutu is a tyrant. We can bring him down.

They've been calling us pillagers and assassins for years. Fine.

Today, if you choose to fight,

you'll no longer be mercenaries, you'll be soldiers.

Everyone aboard the vehicles!

You know your positions. Hold the city centre.

Set up roadblocks.

Problem, Colonel?

No, everything's fine.

PARIS THREE YEARS EARLIER

- Mr Denard, Major. - Come in.

At your service, Major.

How do you do, Denard?

Thank you for seeing me.

I'm sure you're aware Prime Minister Tshombe

is recruiting volunteers for the Congo.

I am.

I have been approached.

As have my men, of course.

I am considering a favourable response.

How delightful.

Before formally accepting,

I'd like to be sure that I am not going against French policy.

Do you have Communist sympathies, Denard?

Not exactly, no.

But your father was a Communist?

- Not that I know. - FTP fighter from 1942 on.

That was the only Resistance grouping in the region.

Your military record is not great.

Quartermaster, 2nd class, Southern Indochina Amphibious Unit, 1948,

prematurely sent home after destroying

a Vinh Long liquor outlet.

I was young.

Then, 1953. Casablanca. Royal Police.

Anti-terrorist unit. Fine. Marriage.

Conversion to Judaism?

In order to marry my wife. My son is baptized.

Quite.

Your first mercenary contract dates back four years. Correct?

I prefer the term "volunteer".

Four years.

You have come a long way!

You get hired into the Congo

by the Katanga secessionists. Moise Tshombe in fact,

before he joined the government.

Interesting, the Congo. Congolese uranium, I mean.

Messy though.

Hardly surprising. Minor Marxist-Leninist rebellion,

normal out there. Massacred villages.

Chaos now.

Their top military man, that "Bubutou", is a madman.

Mobutu.

With the Americans. A child.

They think they can control him. Not the right horse.

Trinquier was our man. Won't he come home?

Sadly not. Getting tired.

Pity Saint-Paul got himself killed. What about Malouin?

OAS.

What's going on? Did they get across?

- What are you waiting for? - We've run out, Colonel.

Cover me.

The boats!

Rossi, call up the mortars!

Keep us posted then.

Meaning?

How should I know? We'll soon see.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Major.

Can you imagine what it means

for me to have to call on white soldiers?

All my life, I have fought for black self-respect.

White soldiers fighting Africans who behave like savages.

The Simba are not just Maoist rebels.

They massacre children with machetes.

They rape women, then eviscerate them.

They devour their victims' livers.

At Buta, they arrested government officials.

They cut off their feet.

Then they told them

to walk across 30th June Square

on their stumps.

The winner was granted his life.

The others were lynched,

torn apart.

Sir,

my men risked their lives for you in Katanga.

When they got home, some couldn't afford a metro fare.

Independent Katanga is a thing of the past.

To my men, Tshombe President of Katanga

and Tshombe Prime Minister of united Congo are one and the same.

The debts of the first are debts of the second.

1.2 million?

No. Two.

Right, 1.2 million.

No, Prime Minister. Two million.

You owe me two million.

Congolese uniform, Lieutenant?

Yes, but inside I remain Katangan.

Major,

it would be an honour to fight beside you again.

I'd say the odds are good.

Swiss francs.

Discreet enough?

That's perfect, Prime Minister.

Tell me, what are your relations with General Mobutu like?

I do not want to get caught in crossfire.

I run the Government. He runs the Army.

We work together to redress the nation.

Now I know you're off, I'm desperate for it.

Supper's ready!

Are you cross?

Thanks a lot.

Sorry, Major.

A truck ran over a cow.

The road's blocked.

I didn't know you were coming.

Mobutu is well-informed.

I wasn't expecting a welcome committee.

Is the bad blood between the Congolese Army and Katanga over?

To fight the Simba, yes.

Then it's "Welcome, Brothers from Katanga!" with a big grin.

Otherwise...

Brigands,

females, brats... now white mercenaries?

My base is not a hen-run.

That's not the issue, Colonel.

Don't tell me what is or is not the issue, Lieutenant.

You were the Belgians' running-dogs, now you want to run this place.

Once a dog, always a dog.

You have found new white masters, whose plates to lick.

Do you think you are safe here? Beware. The people are angry.

Colonel, Major Denard's orders

bear the Prime Minister's signature.

The people are angry.

Will the people protect you? Soon, the lion will leap.

His teeth, his claws, will tear you apart.

When he's done with you,

vultures and flies will rid the land of you.

- Rid of you, do you hear? - I hear.

Major, this is Colonel Sango.

Is my battalion's billet a problem?

Yes, it is.

I've got Katanga turncoats, women and brats too.

If I take your whites, my own men'll have no space.

The Prime Minister in person signed my orders.

General Mobutu is Chief of Staff.

I know that.

He inspects my men next week.

I don't have the resources.

Aren't you paid a fortune?

- What's that mean? - Do you understand French, Major?

- I won't allow... - Major...

I won't pay out of my own pocket to keep my men in this cesspit!

There is a school that is shut on the road to Brio.

Maybe it would be easier to requisition it.

HEADMASTER

The men are ready, Major!

- Any news from Mobutu? - Not yet, Major.

Attention!

They can stand at rest.

At rest!

Attention!

Major Denard, 1st Shock Battalion.

At your orders, General.

Stand at ease.

How do you do, Major?

How do you do, General?

Are you enjoying your return amongst us?

Very much, General.

You know I love Africa and the Congo.

I do. I have my sources.

The Katanga is over.

We're all in the same boat now.

Affirmative, General.

But I hear you flood my staff with complaints.

Indeed. I asked about my batallion's operational autonomy.

Only so as to accomplish my mission as best as possible.

Faced with a scattered guerilla,

better to have hardened, tight-knit, mobile troops.

Within a larger unit, I fear...

Fine, fine.

We shall see.

Present arms!

Soldiers,

you come from Europe,

from Africa,

from formerly secessionist areas.

You have chosen to join the Congolese National Army.

For that, I thank you.

Despite recent successes,

too large a part of our land

lies in the hands of the rebels.

There, terror reigns.

They murder government officials.

They hold dozens of European hostages in the jungle.

Your task is to liberate territory

to save these hostages

so that Congo may again find order and prosperity.

In so doing, you will contribute to the world struggle

between the defenders of freedom

and those defending Communist tyranny.

I count on you.

The Congo counts on you.

The free world counts on you.

Leave me alone. I'm still standing.

Probably malaria, General.

At your orders, Coondog!

- I apologize, General. - Let's go nigger-busting!

I'll fire him instantly.

I wasn't expecting the Sorbonne's finest.

That is not what the Congo wants.

As to your request, it is granted. You have carte blanche.

Start by cleaning up Buta.

I'll judge you on your results.

Majors Schramme and Hoaré have done wonders.

Thank you, General. You won't regret it.

Thank you very much.

Colonel!

Help me get him out of there!

A present from Yemen.

Against bazookas.

Take cover! Take cover!

Can you see anything?

- Commander! - Dessango, stop!

Fourrier!

Four men.

They're up there!

Four! With me! You, you and you!

Grenades!

One, two, three...

Thank you, my son.

You will be in my prayers for as long as I live.

It's all right. It's over.

Thank the Lord.

Don't shoot!

Hold your fire!

Hold your fire!

Don't shoot! Stop!

Out!

Out, out!

- Your hands! On the ground! - It's OK,

I'm Major Denard.

Congolese National Army. You're safe.

Come here.

They left this morning.

Only us here.

It's all right. Give them food and drink.

We'll need to call for supplies.

Wait, allow me.

Thank you.

Do you have anywhere to go?

I have an aunt in Kisangani.

My battalion is stationed there.

Drop by some time.

The rebel boss tried to wed me.

Sorry?

He tried to wed me. That's why I'm not dead.

He had good taste.

I understand.

It'll be all right.

Wait. Wait.

Major?

Yes?

The rebels are heading to Yumbi.

Yumbi?

We leave camp at five. I'll grab them before Schramme.

Aren't we waiting for fuel?

Call the chopper for ammunition.

Very good, Major.

The chopper will take you on its return trip.

You'll be at your aunt's by tonight.

Found anyone?

- Any bodies? - None.

Still warm.

No one shoot.

No one shoot!

Those are Schramme's men.

Aren't they on our side?

You're on my land. Think I believe you don't know?

Know what?

The coup. In Kinshasa.

We were in the bush. What happened?

Mobutu's taken over. Tshombé's exiled again.

Mobutu?

Kinshasa intrigue. The further I am the better.

Sorry.

I thought Mobutu sent you. I'm not his cup of tea.

Not sure I am.

I expect I'll know soon.

If I'm not back in two hours, call the French Embassy.

Ask to speak to Ambassador Kosciusko-Morizet.

Mr President.

I'm sure Major Denard is better.

The French love their titles. So old school.

- I'm a modern Frenchman. - Good.

Kinshasa's the most modern city in Africa.

Am I moving?

You deserve a promotion. I'm making you Security Adviser.

The Army will take over at Kisangani.

What about my men?

Many other battlefields.

If you wish to dispense with our services

you needn't kick me upstairs to Kinshasa.

In your job, regime change happens.

What regime change?

I work for you, have since I came.

For me and for others.

You said you'd judge me on results.

Well, I've spent weeks in the bush.

I've freed whole districts, dozens of hostages...

Not that my men's lives mean much.

Now you fire me for your American pals.

Good luck to you, Mr President.

Don't leave, my friend.

Stay here.

Come back.

We'll have a drink.

I don't drink.

Ah yes, so I'm told.

Champagne sometimes.

You don't smoke or eat much but you screw a lot.

- Is that right? - It soothes the nerves.

Tell me why I should keep you on.

I'm not against it. Just short of arguments.

You are French. A mercenary. And white.

I'm a Congolese National Army officer.

Give me the regiment the battalion belongs to.

It's disorganized and depressed.

It's not fit for combat. I'll show you what I can do.

I should give you a machete to slit my throat on Paris' behalf?

As long as I'm here, I'm not in Central Africa

plotting with your enemies.

With Tshombe?

And the Katangans?

I know they're sharpening their knives.

Tshombé or anyone else. You've plenty of enemies.

Maybe I should eliminate you.

Here and now.

If you do that,

make sure you never need mercenaries again.

I don't see you at the Army Club in Paris

with all those foreign service types.

You're not like them.

You're like me.

A plain man, self-made.

If I could only trust you, you'd be exactly the person I need.

Can I trust you?

You trusted me over the Simba. I did not disappoint.

Don't disappoint me, Colonel.

I'm only a Major.

Not anymore.

Thank you, Mr President.

Thank you very much.

Move your legs.

Feel anything?

And there?

The bullet didn't penetrate.

Numbness, internal bleeding...

You need a hospital.

My men need me.

I won't set foot in that hospital of yours.

That'll leave space for the victims of your exactions.

I'm fighting for this country.

I can't operate here anyway. It'll be Kinshasa,

Uganda or Rhodesia.

He won't last two days.

Ladies, gents.

Help me!

Bring me the Jeep.

My top part works fine.

We'll tour the positions.

For God's sake!

I won't abandon them!

All right. I'll get changed. Can you wait?

Is that all?

You're risking your life, and others', for the fun of it?

You kill people for fun in fact.

And for money too.

I'm part of the history of this land.

It matters whether I succeed.

Napoleon of the Congo.

Make fun of me!

Despite rebellious pockets, the soldiering is over.

Not many left to kill.

What do I do all day?

I'm reviving an area as big as France, all by myself.

Roads, cotton plantations,

rubber...

Miss, may I have this dance?

Yes, absolutely, that's what he said.

I've come to claim my property.

This is my land. My neighbour...

- I'll be with you in two minutes. - He's put sugar-cane on my land.

I've come to claim my land.

Good evening.

The President has invited us to dinner.

Thank you.

I'm in the lift. There he is. Van Der Brouck himself.

He had to shake my hand.

His face was a picture of terror. Pure terror.

Colonel. Thank you for coming.

I'm most touched.

The honour's mine.

The Colonel came to us as a mercenary

but he is certainly our most loyal soldier now.

But who is this? No presents, we said.

This is my wife.

Marie-Elise.

How do you do?

What great proof of your love for the Congo!

Take your seats.

Gentlemen.

You'll make an exception tonight, or must I ask for some milk?

No thank you. I'll have champagne.

So Van Der Brouck.

I pretended I knew nothing of his wheeling and dealing.

Attempted escape.

You're family now. Dance with Marie-Antoinette.

You, come. Have a dance with me.

Thank you for the invitation, Mr President.

We have to get back to Kisangani tonight.

A railway to inaugurate.

You don't know how to have fun.

Something tells me you don't have fun every night.

Come on.

The night is young.

You are certainly right, Mr President.

Allow me to insist.

You must be either friend or foe,

correct, Mr Denard?

What...?

You can lower the gun.

What are you doing here?

My name is Gaston Conti,

Swiss diamond-broker, landed in Kinshasa last night on business.

Back to Zurich tomorrow.

Come in then.

You are not alone, I think.

I'd rather stay out in the cool.

I hear you're promoted.

Colonel?

Congratulations.

I make myself useful.

Excellent.

Moise Tshombe is in exile again but it won't last.

He can count on the Katangans.

We promised you'd be in on it.

Things are easing off now.

The country is starting to relax. People like that.

Specially Mobutu's friends.

If Tshombe returns,

he'll favour Tshombe's friends.

One faction or the other. Same difference.

Mobutu's gang is the CIA.

They want a bridgehead for equatorial Africa.

At least it's not the Russians.

Paris doesn't see things that way.

Tshombe represents rule of law. Democracy.

Democracy...

Law and order will do.

Are you not a democrat, Denard?

Are you?

Can you afford to go against us?

Mobutu's let you have your tropical protectorate.

Do you think it will last?

Do you think he'll let you grow so high

your shadow reaches his ankle?

Here's the message.

Paris is with Tshombe and his Katangans.

Denard is with Tshombe and his Katangans.

Cultivate Mobutu

but don't forget who you're working for.

You may be quarter-master, second class, at home

but it's better than Mobutu's chocolate medals, believe me.

What the hell...?

Long live a free and independent Katanga!

Stay here, don't go out.

If anyone tries to come in,

use this like I showed you.

- What's going on? - It's our Katangans.

Gunfire at the airport, the main barracks.

Can't get through.

What do we do?

Hold the routes into town. Don't move.

- We won't help our pals? - I said, don't budge.

- Do we open fire? - Don't budge!

Triple it.

Hurry up.

Come on, come on!

- The positions in town? - It'll be fine.

We're spread thin on the ground.

The 7-6!

You and you! Cover it! You, in position!

In position.

Is it the mutineers? Or the Army?

No one fires unless I say.

We need you, Colonel.

You're making a big mistake.

Retreat whilst you can.

Are you with Mobutu?

I'm saving your life.

We're fed up, Colonel.

Mobutu brought us back to fight the Simba

but they despise us, they don't pay us.

We've no weapons, no uniforms.

Soldiers won't take that.

Look me in the eye.

Tell me this isn't an coup to overthrow Mobutu.

Colonel! Tshombe is your friend. It was him that hired you.

Tshombe is no one's friend.

He sends you into battle. If you die, so what?

Neither the terrain nor the numbers favour you.

Nor the weaponry.

What difference would my 120 white men make?

Don't you see? You haven't a hope!

Don't you see?

Again I say, negotiate.

Lay down your arms.

Six years' warfare is enough.

Tell your bosses.

I'll see what I can do with Mobutu.

The President will see you shortly.

You should be at Kisangani, quelling the mutiny.

I hear you might have stopped a Katangan column,

- you didn't open fire. - I decided...

You decided?

You French fucking idiot!

De Gaulle'll get your head by diplomatic bag!

Teach that windbag to make fun of me.

Allow me to explain my view.

If I don't make sense, chop my head off.

Since independence, in six years,

the Katangans have rebelled twice.

They need quelling for good.

True.

You've got a Katangan problem.

They're an army within the army.

Solve that problem now, it has to be by force.

You'll succeed. But at what price?

Law and order come at a price. Disorder costs too.

On the other hand,

if you compromise,

time is on your side.

You can break up the Katangan units,

dissolve them into the army.

They're good soldiers.

Their experience will rub off.

Or spread like gangrene.

The only solution to Katanga

is to eliminate the Katangans.

For Bantu people, to rise against a leader

is an unforgivable sin.

After the Katangans, who next?

The Ngbandis?

The Tutsi? The Bangala?

If you govern by tribe,

the land will be fire and blood.

On the contrary, stand above the tribes.

Become a truly national President.

You will bring peace and prosperity.

With its people, its wealth,

the Congo can be the greatest country in Africa.

Why not?

Tell them to come and see me.

We'll talk.

We'll reach a compromise.

If it doesn't work out, I want your word, Colonel.

You will do all, I mean all,

to solve Katanga for good.

You have my word.

Thank you for coming, Colonel.

Goodbye, Mr President.

You won't regret the wisdom you have shown.

Anyone home? Marie-Elise?

Which is why I've decided to show indulgence.

The whole of the Congo holds out its hand to the Katanga mutineers.

In a spirit of brotherhood,

it says, come to the negotiating table.

Together,

let us build a Congo for all,

a Congo for tomorrow.

My man's the hidden hand that rules the Congo.

I don't believe this.

Did no one see them go?

My men were on manoeuvers.

The convoy was on the Katanga road.

You sure?

The Katanga road? Weapons and all?

Perhaps they should be contacted.

To see what they intend.

I was wrong to listen.

I look weak.

No one thinks...

Denard,

you gave me your word. I trust you'll keep it.

Decapitate that convoy. No Katangan officers must survive.

Medic!

They were hiding in the forest.

What about the officers?

A car went that way.

Don't wait!

Take a platoon, follow me.

- Fourier, hold here. - Very well.

Gentlemen, your weapons.

You are a man of no word.

I honour my word. You do not honour yours.

You should have stayed at Kisangani.

Mobutu told us to go home.

I'm well-placed to say you're wrong.

You've become Mobutu's puppet.

Do you think he'll reward you?

You're digging your own grave, Colonel.

Come, don't make a fuss.

I vouch for your safety.

You can't vouch for safety. If we go with you, we're dead.

Right, gentlemen. Your guns.

I won't say it again.

Will you have us shot?

If necessary.

No.

I don't believe you.

I don't believe your men would obey.

You're on your own, Colonel.

Let us run away and kill him.

You can say we fought back.

Don't be a fool.

Think the President'd believe that?

Do this, you and your men must leave the Congo.

So what?

Come to Katanga with us, Colonel.

Help us get rid of Mobutu!

You're on oath!

You're an officer!

An oath to whom?

A killer? A thief?

Mobutu's a criminal.

You've fought beside us for years.

I beg you, listen to your heart.

- Don't think about duty. - Gun him down!

Gun him down like a dog!

Do it yourself if you dare!

In the truck.

Off we go.

Brother!

On the radio I sang your praises. Did you hear?

You've saved your own head.

Sadly, I must annoy you again, Mr President.

I beg you to pardon the Katangans.

Impossible.

One must set a price.

Or everyone will have a go.

I gather there's a new plot, called Kerilis.

A plan cooked up by Tshombe with some Belgian fascists.

The Katangans are in it of course.

The Katangans knew the risks, it didn't stop the mutiny.

Be generous. You'll win respect.

Tend the other cheek.

No, Jesus was not Bantu.

Well?

They'll make me a General.

It's your mother. I'm so sorry.

Colonel,

President Tshombe has asked me to extend his condolences.

Thank him from me.

President Tshombe also asks me to say that he would be happy to meet you.

You belong to the future of the Congo.

I gather you won't meet Tshombe,

you haunt the Congolese Embassy.

You're having me followed?

Don't have the budget.

We get by though.

Tshombe has a court... Why not send Kinshasa a press release?

And yes, I show myself at the Embassy.

I do want to tell Tshombe...

What?

He's wealthy. He should manage his investments

and forget the Congo for a bit.

You sound like your pal Mobutu.

The President is with the Americans for now.

He may not be forever.

Playing the Great Game, are we?

He wants me to start a new brigade in the Congolese National Army.

He trusts me.

Given time, I'll show him his interest

is a tie with France.

Unless France supports adventures such as the Katanga mutiny.

If you'd joined them, it might have worked.

They had no hope.

They broke off the talks. I saved my men's lives.

I was told you believed that lie.

Their unit was to be dissolved.

They chose secession.

What my American pals tell me

is that Mobutu ordered retreat.

A peace of the braves.

Or of the graveyard. With you as gravedigger.

I won some pardons.

If Mobutu had done that, he'd have left no witnesses.

About the others,

the foot soldiers, I'm told your pal Mobutu had a picturesque idea,

He uses Katangans sparingly.

He savours them.

You hoped to get away with it. He manipulated you.

I warned you.

Does Kerilis mean anything to you?

A rumour about a coup.

Everyone loves those.

Tshombe destabilizes Mobutu.

Americans make themselves useful.

Mobutu cements his clan.

This time it's serious.

Tshombe's Belgians,

Portuguese secret service, South Africans,

infiltration from Sudan and Angola, parachute drops on Kinshasa.

Your friend Schramme is at work.

What's your offer?

Join it.

Give France a place in Tshombe's Congo.

Depose Mobutu.

Schramme is a planter dressed as a soldier.

I'm not sure he's the right man.

Well, help him then.

What if Mobutu reacts quicker than expected?

Will I have support?

You are France, Colonel.

I told you, Denard.

You weren't to disappoint me.

How did I?

How?

You little whore.

You went to Tshombe for orders.

Ask your informers to do their job.

He made an approach.

- I wouldn't play. - What did he say?

Kerilis. Where? When? How?

I didn't see him. I know no more than you.

Refuse me again. You're dead.

So I'll agree to anything you want!

None of it true. I know nothing.

One less white man in the Congo.

Aim!

Fire!

Kerilis.

Where? When? How?

Make an effort.

You had lunch with him at the Georges V. On the 2nd.

The 2nd? I was at the Embassy.

Call and ask. They'll confirm.

They said that to discredit me.

Ask Botété, Colonel Malila. I had lunch with them.

Lies.

Lies, lies!

Go on.

- Check. - Go on.

Mr President.

Check!

You're lucky.

Colonel Malila is from Lisala like me.

I trust him completely.

May I ask who nearly got me killed?

The main thing

is for you to act against those who want to kill me.

Kerilis is not a hoax.

I know Schramme is part of it.

That little priest is about to stab me in the back.

I want to you to get rid of him.

Disarm his unit.

That may be awkward.

I want his bollocks

to feed to my dog.

Is that clear?

Very clear, Mr President.

I'm counting on you.

Goodbye, Colonel.

I gather our beloved President

is about to make you a General.

What does Paris say about that?

Paris says you have plans.

Meaning getting the tin mine at Manono going again?

I'm pretty proud of that, I can tell you.

The question is, do you have the means to achieve your goal?

Why? Are you interested?

What dowry can you offer?

I have friends too.

- In Paris. - For instance.

What about your General's stripes?

I'd rather get them from a President I respect.

How many whites at Kisangani?

Barely 150.

The rest are scattered about the bush.

Recalling them will look odd.

They can join in later.

Day one, Capt Noël's column takes Bukavu.

Lt Michel seizes Kindu, holds its downtown

as my 800 men team up

with your 150 at Kisangani.

We annihilate the garrison.

If it fails?

South Africa, Rhodesia and Angola intervene.

What about France?

They'll be there.

What about a US response?

They're stuck in Vietnam.

All we need is an initiative.

Mobutu is frail. Without us, he's on his own.

Fine.

- When? - Early July.

By August 15th, we can fly Tshombe in from Madrid.

MADRID, A FEW DAYS LATER

Colonel, did you hear the radio?

No. What?

Tshombe is in jail in Algiers. Plane hijack.

- Who did it? - They don't say.

You, come with me.

Was the trip OK?

- Cancel everything. - No way.

Loads of negroes to replace Mobutu.

Think they'll come in on it, without Tshombe?

Now Mobutu's showing up, you've no choice.

Showing up?

News just through.

Coming to Kisangani to launch the new river police.

He's bringing all his paratroopers.

If you believe that lie

you can greet him with flowers.

Was I next on his list?

No, it was you.

If we lose out numerically, we must keep one step ahead.

Meaning we attack before he gets here. Can you do it?

Of course I can.

Tomorrow at six at Kisangani.

They'll run bare-assed.

Mobutu's the one I want bare-assed in the bush.

JULY 5TH, 1967, 6AM

Stay here. I'll be back.

François, Kisango. Follow me!

Where were you?

Skirmish.

- Others? - Late too.

- Till when? - Never mind.

Mobutu knows. We must attack before he can react.

What? With that?

You'd rather wait till he slits your throat?

I can hold my positions, save my men. We'll find a way out.

Like in Algeria?

The French Army chickens out.

Listen, this is my land!

Everything here, I made.

I won't let some negro king take it.

Fucking monkey dropped from his tree!

Tell me,

those reinforcements from Rhodesia, Angola...

did you dream them up?

Get out!

- They didn't wait for us. - It was Schramme.

- Call the men. I need to talk. - Fall in!

The Colonel needs to talk to you! Quick!

It won't be an easy fight I have to admit.

How many are they? 5, 10 times

20 times more than us.

We've nowhere to fall back.

We'll be shown no mercy.

The options are easy.

Win or die!

We've one trick up our sleeve.

We can hold out, get stuck in, provoke a crisis.

Force international intervention.

Then, anything's possible.

So here's our strategy. We hole up in town.

Abandon nothing.

Hold every street. Every house.

Each hour that goes by is our gain, their loss.

General Mobutu is a tyrant. We can bring him down.

They've been calling us villains for years.

Pillagers, assassins. Fine.

Today, if you decide to fight,

you'll no longer be mercenaries, you'll be soldiers.

Everyone aboard the vehicles!

Hold the city-centre. Set up roadblocks.

TSHOMBE OUT OF COMMISSION FRANCE SUPPORTS PRESIDENT MOBUTU

CEASE ALL MIILITARY ACTION

Bob Denard's plane out of Kisangani

wandered the skies of Africa.

Eventually, he was allowed to land in Rhodesia.

He was operated there and saved.

Within weeks, against medical advice, despite the authorities,

he cut short physiotherapy to be back in the Congo with his men,

holed up with Major Schramme at Bukavu, a stronghold.

The means were pathetic.

The expedition was a failure.

Bob Denard's career took in many new battlefields

some glorious,

all controversial.

For thirty years to come,

he was France's unofficial soldier in Africa,

never invited to march down the Champs-Elysées.