Elite Mercenary (2007)

Production Overview

Following on from the success of Bomb Voyage, YSP began to draft various direct sequels involving more elaborate scenes and sketches such as a boat chase, a black tie function, an attack on terrorists in a forest base and a brawl on a plaza in Aberstwyth. In the small town of Silvi Marina on the east coast of Italy, director Chris Bevan sat down under a beach bar and developed the majority of the screenplay that would become known as Elite Mercenary. After filming concept scenes between CJ Simmons (Chris Bevan) and new character Richard Burbank (Jonathan Bevan) it was decided to press ahead with filming a feature presentation. Due to numerous setbacks during September and December 2006 such as the ill-fated 6th Form promotional film handed for development to YSP and Chris Bevan and Hadleigh Roberts' commitments to current stage productions as directors, only a handful of scenes were filmed. A demo trailer was released to the public in November to an electric reception and following Christmas, production was stepped up. With a new script and Escargot now known as Estage, Elite Mercenary began full production, filming over the course of 5 months with a cast of over 40. The release date was confirmed as May 22nd in January and even a week before the final air date, filming was still on going. A running time of 2 hours was cut to 1 hour 20 minutes and following extensive sound editing from Jonathan Bevan, the film was completed and shown at 7.30pm and was acclaimed as a huge accomplishment, with particular praise being aimed at the scale of the film and the story as well as the soundtrack used. The main area of criticism came from the fact that there was too little character development due to the wealth of characters included, an issue Chris Bevan set out to resolve with the follow up series, Dissolution. A second showing On July 5th was held and the audience were satisfied with the result, a remastered version with issues of sound level largely resolved. A documentary was created, charting the rise of CJ Simmons and changes since the days of Bomb Voyage and this too was well received.

Plot Details

CJ Simmons is called back into action six months on from the events of Bomb Voyage by new head of British Intelligence, Charles Jenkins, in order to finally eliminate the infamous Lieutenant Estage. The only lead on his location is an arms dealer, Richard Burbank whom Simmons sets out to find while Jenkins returns to BIS and meets Janet Core, on transfer from CIA and coincidentally a former love of Simmons' from several years ago.

Estage meets followers Warren Bouchez and Lance Gestapo to reveal his plan to eliminate Edward Mannings, an old ally of his as well as the now in custody former head of BIS Mark Burns. He then contacts Burbank and tells him to hold tight and go along with a plan of his to murder Burns to prevent him from cracking under interrogation. Simmons meets Edward and Kate Mannings whom he hopes can help him track Burbank. The arrival of one of Estage's men to silence them prompts Simmons to flee the house with Edward, knowing Kate has already been killed. A sniper takes out Edward during the escape, leaving Simmons to track the culprit to a loft nearby and a fight ensues. The sniper, Nathan Rychman, escapes on a bike leaving Simmons temporarily incapacitated nearby.

At BIS Jenkins and Steve Harris, an interrogation specialist and former SRS man, are questioning a man called Morgan Drake, responsible for the murder of a man linked to Estage called Adrian Lewis, found dead during the early hours of the day. Drake reveals the existence of a pre-recorded message from traitor Mark Burns who warns of an impending strike by Estage. This is cue for Drake to take his own life in custody, leaving Jenkins with the sniper who killed Mannings as the only lead. Simmons pursues the bike in his car, prompting a chase along a windy road resulting in the supposed death of Rychman.

Simmons confront Burbank at his manor over Estage but they are interrupted by an attacker, sent to scare Simmons and lead him to bring Burbank to where Burns is being held. Simmons goes along with this after eliminating the attacker and once at the safehouse, Simmons senses something is wrong, leading him to investigate. Burbank is shot in the alleyway outside and inside Simmons discovers the entire thing was a ploy by Estage to kill off Burns, Burbank and Simmons in order to leave no links to him. Fighting his way to the exit, Simmons is locked inside and the safehouse is blown up courtesy of Bouchez who has headed the operation.

Meanwhile at BIS, the arrival of Keith Buchanan, a representative of MI6, has thrown the investigation into disarray. Jenkins, determined to keep his use of a mercenary secret, tries to fool Buchanan but eventually concedes the truth. Major Williams is dispatched to scan the safehouse where Simmons is found alive and Williams quickly informs Jenkins. Simmons is attacked by two of Williams' men under his orders and sent to Estage's compound, establishing Williams as a traitor.

Simmons is rescued by an old friend who picks up and SOS call from him and they head to the Oxfen weapons facility, identified as Estage's next target. Major Williams leads the assault for the British, his identity as a traitor known by none but Simmons. A large battle ensues at the safehouse as a decoy for Estage's attack on BIS headquarters which leaves Buchanan and Harris dead as well as Janet kidnapped. Simmons manages to corner Bouchez at Oxfen, who promptly kills himself and following this Williams enters and kills the remaining anti-terror troops. He and Estage's men capture Simmons and take him to Estage's base of operations.

Estage reveals he has kidnapped Simmons in order to inflict pain on him, forcing fellow captive Janet Core to reveal the British missile defence codes. Simmons and Janet are left alone, where he declares to her to not worry about him and not hand over the codes. Janet sends a distress signal to Jenkins which is picked up by Estage who uses his workers to hack this and obtain Janet's clearance. Satisfied with this solution, Estage begins his plans to launch missiles around the world in order to create chaos and disarray. The arrival of allied forces leads to Estage fleeing and Simmons fighting Williams - Janet and Jenkins are able to eventually disarm the missiles. A battered Simmons is about to be killed by Williams when Janet arrives at the last minute to save him. Simmons then decided to go after Estage in order to finish the contract.

On top of the mountain base, Simmons and Estage brawl but ultimately Estage is overcome who then charges at Simmons and is shot in the chest. As Simmons reveals to Estage his reasons for being a mercenary, Simmons shoots Estage one more time and then collapses from the strain of the contract. A week later, Janet and Jenkins discuss how Simmons' body was never recovered and he was presumed dead. Jenkins tells her of how he must answer questions on his involvement in the contract with Simmons and leaves her in charge of BIS. Simmons is found to be alive thanks to a cover-up from Jenkins in order to prevent Janet from further suffering. As the film ends, Simmons vows to continue as a mercenary and sets off for a contract in Cuba