Det store og avgjørende slaget ved elva Nertva i Jugoslavia i 1943, da Titos partisanarme greide å bryte en omringning av overlegne tyske styrker som ble støttet av italienere, kroatiske fascister og serbiske royalister.
The story follows a band of former Confederate soldiers who were part of a cavalry unit. Their commander, Graff (Rourke) had once been a heroic and staunch supporter of the southern cause, but after losing his family he became cold hearted and ruthless. His second in command is Eustis (Mulroney), whom Graff has trained on the strategies of leadership and combat command.