Zanzibar, 1913. Flynn O'Flynn (Lee Marvin) is seeking to get funding for an ivory expedition. His backer predicts it will fail until Flynn suggests flying a British flag and having an Englishman as captain. Under those circumstances, he will provide funding. So it is that Flynn arranges to strand Sebastian Oldsmith (Roger Moore) by stealing his money and his ticket to Australia. When Oldsmith tries to explain to the hotelier that he cannot pay the bill, Flynn graciously offers to pay. Flynn and Oldsmith strike into German East Africa to poach some ivory. Though chased by the local German administrator, Fleischer (Rene Kolldehoff), they manage to escape into the Indian Ocean. However, now the SMS Blucher, a German warship, rams their boat and sinks them.
From here, the movie follows the exploits of Flynn and Oldsmith as they attempt to get rich at the expense of Fleischer. Flynn has a loyal but mute sidekick, Mohammed (Ian Holm). He also has a daughter, Rosa (Barbara Parkins), who is soon having an affair with the handsome Sebastian. When the war starts, Fleischer crosses the border to do away with Flynn once and for all.
Loosely based on the true story of the sinking of a German warship, the movie is more of a revenge story. Flynn and Fleischer have a longstanding rivalry that soon entangles Oldsmith. Each wants the other dead and, through the movie, manage to kill a lot of each other's followers. African porters and soldiers are nameless canonfodder on both sides.
The pacing is inconsistent and the tone swings from bloodthirsty murder to comedic drunkenness. Moore in blackface is entirely unconvincing. Marvin is his usual entertaining self and his performance alone makes the film worth seeing.
Just okay.
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