Dark Of The Sun(1968) May 2026

, also known as The Mercenaries , is a gritty, hyper-violent action-adventure film directed by Jack Cardiff. Based on the novel by Wilbur Smith, it is set during the 1960s Congo Crisis and is renowned for its unflinching portrayal of mercenary warfare. Plot Overview

At the height of the Congo Crisis, mercenary leader Captain Bruce Curry (Rod Taylor) is hired by President Ubi to lead a dangerous mission.

: The film’s setting in the war-torn Congo provided a dark, realistic backdrop that contrasted with the more "fun" war movies of the era. Dark of the Sun(1968)

: Curry's companion, Ruffo (Jim Brown), serves as the film's moral compass, contrasting Curry’s profit-driven motives with a genuine commitment to Africa’s future. Cast & Crew

: Curry and his team must take a steam train 300 miles into the interior to rescue European refugees and retrieve $50 million in diamonds before the town is overrun by "Simbas," a ruthless rebel horde. , also known as The Mercenaries , is

: Although set in Africa, much of the film was shot in Jamaica . Availability

: Along the way, the team faces attacks from UN forces and rebels, internal betrayal by an ex-Nazi named Captain Henlein, and a race against a time-locked vault. : The film’s setting in the war-torn Congo

: While it was initially overlooked, it has gained a cult following and was cited by Quentin Tarantino as an influence on his work.