Leslie Caron, David Niven, James Robertson Justice, David Opatoshu, Derek Godfrey, Richard Pearson, Ian Hunter. Vacationing Englishman David Niven faces a moral crisis when he agrees to smuggle the deposed president of a South American country across the border. Screenplay by John Mortimer

On New Year's Eve in the Latin American state of Tribulacion, the government of President Rivera is overthrown by revolutionary military forces. Wounded, Rivera escapes and is found the next day in a state of collapse by Tom Jordan, an immature idealist whose failure to hold a job has led to marital difficulties with his wife, Claire. Jordan decides he is morally bound to help Rivera reach the border 80 miles away, and Claire reluctantly agrees to accompany them on the journey. After a number of close calls with the police, they lose their car in a lake of quicksand and are forced to proceed by foot across rocky mountain terrain. They reach the border and are captured and taken into custody. At this point Claire tells Tom that she is pregnant. Despite his abhorrence of violence, Tom kills a guard with a corkscrew in order to get himself, Claire, and Rivera across the border. Although Rivera is beyond medical help, he dies knowing that Tom now understands it is sometimes necessary to kill in order to live. Wiser and more mature, Tom is able to effect a reconciliation with Claire.