A Reason to Live, A Reason to Die

During the American Civil War, seven condemned prisoners are offered a reprieve if they assist an officer in retaking a fort in a desperate campaign. Their conditional freedom hinges on the success of the mission, intertwining redemption with wartime duty.

A Reason to Live, A Reason to Die is presented as a programme that takes the form of a movie. It’s categorised within the Western genre, situating its story against the backdrop of the American Civil War. The work is listed as a film‑type programme, meaning it follows the conventions of a feature‑length narrative rather than a serial or documentary. Its setting in a turbulent historical period provides the framework for the action that follows. The plot centres on a group of seven men who have been sentenced to death. Their sentences are temporarily suspended when an officer offers them a chance at redemption: they must assist him in recapturing a fort that has been seized by the enemy. By agreeing to take part in this operation, the condemned hope to secure their lives while playing a part in a strategic effort to regain control of the stronghold during the war. The production is distinguished by the appearance of James Coburn and Telly Savalas, both of whom occupy prominent roles in the story. Their participation reinforces the Western atmosphere, as they’re portraying characters directly involved in the high‑risk mission to retake the fort. The casting of these well‑known performers adds a recognisable element to the film, linking the historical setting with familiar faces.