Operation Leopard (1980) — AI Story Visualization

Operation Leopard (1980) Poster

Plot Analysis Summary

A dramatized account of the 1978 Kolwezi rescue operation where French and Belgian forces evacuated hostages from Katanga rebels.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Invasion and Hostage Crisis

International Mobilization

Perimeter and Evacuation

Aftermath and Historical Record

In May 1978, the mining town of Kolwezi in Katanga, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo, the former Belgian Congo) is under attack from a group of communist guerillas coming from nearby Angola. The Europeans who work for the Belgian mining company and the Blacks who live in the town are taken as hostages by the invaders, who start a blood bath, shooting Europeans as well as Africans. Many of the Europeans being French, the French decide to organize a counter-attack, and to send a Regiment of Paratroopers from the Foreign Legion. The movie follows the stories of Delbart, a former non-commissioned officer, who was about to go back to France with his African wife and his child, Damrémont, who was Delbart's replacement, Bia, a Zairian doctor, and Annie, an American married to a Belgian engineer as well as Non com Legion officer Federico and the French Ambassador and the Military Attaché.

Directed by

Raoul Coutard

Key Cast

Rating: 5.7/10 (21 votes)