Steve McQueen's final film is a badly muffed attempt to update the classic western bounty-hunter story. Known for his doggedness and unconventional methods, Ralph "Papa" Thorson brought thousands of fugitives to justice during his career, and McQueen was obviously attracted to his all-action style and his offbeat personality. However, as directed by Buzz Kulik, the movie is not much more than a series of crash-bang pursuits with the eccentric Thorson being the only rounded character. As a consequence, he rather wastes the excellent Eli Wallach as his boss, although there is an explosive finale.

The lovely Laura, on a modelling job in South Africa, is kidnapped by a gang who carry her off into the jungle from where they demand a huge ransom. Two men set off in a helicopter to rescue her, little knowing what horrors Laura is enduring in the meantime in the savage clutches of a primitive and bloodthristy world. Laura's rescuers not only have to face the cruel violence of her captors - but also the horrifying lust for blood of a primitive and cruel god.