Universal Soldier (1971): Cast & Plot
Universal Soldier is a 1971 action drama starring George Lazenby as Ryker, Ben Carruthers and Robin Hunter. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 34m (94 min)
- Original language
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English - After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Universal Soldier About?
The premise of Universal Soldier without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A veteran mercenary commander and weapons specialist is hired to organize and train a rebel army for an exiled African leader. As he begins to question the morality of his actions, his growing conscience makes the shadowy officials who backed the mission view him as a liability and a threat to their hidden agenda.
Universal Soldier Themes & Keywords
· 39 tags- pacifist
- arms trafficking
- london england
- hover craft
- rear nudity
- punched in the face
- held at gunpoint
- nudity
- pub
- passport control
- military contractor
- telephone call
+27 more Show fewer
- slow motion shot
- england
- airport
- love scene
- shooting range
- arms deal
- smoking marijuana
- montage
- chased by the police
- arms shipment
- drug use
- male rear nudity
- crisis of conscience
- male nudity
- kiss
- shot to death
- broken ankle
- car chase
- mercenary
- army
- leader
- soldier
- imagination
- nightmare
- exile
- training
- independent film
Universal Soldier Cast & Characters
George Lazenby leads the cast as Ryker, with Ben Carruthers as Jesse and Robin Hunter as Bradshaw.
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George Lazenby as Ryker - Ben Carruthers as Jesse
- Robin Hunter as Bradshaw
- Alan Barnes as Temple Smith
Also Starring in Universal Soldier
· 21 more- Chrissie Townson Chrissie
- Edward Judd Rawlings
- Michael Sheard Customs Officer
- Guy Deghy Timmerman
- Ronald Leigh-Hunt St George
- Martin Wyldeck Wilson
- Cy Endfield Derek Bowden
- Rudolph Walker Mbote
- Lynda Baron Woman at Party
- Anthony Newlands Petrakis
- Germaine Greer Clara Bowden
- Maggie Wright Rawlings' Secretary
- Paul Dawkins Chairman
- Charles Finch 2nd Policeman (Cy Endfield)
- Maria Jose Maria
- John Keston Customs Officer
Show all 25 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Ronan O'Rahilly Gered
- Kevin Duggan Hippie
- Charles Owour Mbote's Aide
- Reg Peters Venezelous
- Kedd Senton 1st Policeman
Universal Soldier Plot Summary
What happens in Universal Soldier from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Ryker, George Lazenby, a former mercenary, comes out of retirement to take part in the overthrow of an African dictator. He travels to London to meet former war comrade Jesse Jones and his associates Bradshaw and Temple Smith. Together they help fellow mercenaries test and ship weapons to South Africa, a line of work that raises serious questions for Ryker about the violence and profit at stake.
He gradually distances himself from the others, rents a flat in London, and drifts into hippie culture, where he begins dating a girl named Chrissie Townson. This personal shift marks a turning point as the world of mercenaries fades into something more human and complicated.
Full summary
The whole story of Universal Soldier, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Universal Soldier?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What was Ryker's profession before he came out of retirement?
Cars in Universal Soldier
61 cars on screen, including the 1965 Bedford TK and the 1963 Daimler Limousine.
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1965 Bedford TK Important role -
1963 Daimler Limousine Important role -
1965 Jaguar S-Type XJ3 Important role -
1969 Porsche 911 S Targa 901 Important role
Seen Universal Soldier?
Movies Like Universal Soldier
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Universal Soldier, Universal Soldiers and Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning.
Universal Soldier FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, cast and post-credit scenes of Universal Soldier, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Universal Soldier?
Universal Soldier runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
When was Universal Soldier released?
Universal Soldier was released on June 11, 1971.
Who is in the cast of Universal Soldier?
Universal Soldier stars George Lazenby as Ryker, Ben Carruthers as Jesse and Robin Hunter as Bradshaw, among 25 credited actors.
Does Universal Soldier have a post-credit scene?
No. Universal Soldier has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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