A group of polo-playing soldiers of the 26th Cavalry Regiment (United States) and their families are surprised while playing a polo game.

Major Bailey orders his Swiss fiancée Alex to leave the country, promising to meet her in San Francisco.

Bailey leads his men back to Manila, but the roads are jammed with fugitives – including Alex who delayed her return home to get her pet dog.

Lieutenant Custer leads a pointless raid on an enemy stronghold, resulting in a massacre in which all of the Americans are killed except him.

Anthony March was a lieutenant in the US Cavalry who served in China and Burman in World War II.

"[6] Once Before I Die was the debut directorial effort from John Derek, a photographer and a former actor who finalized his divorce from the film's lead actress Ursula Andress eight months before its release.

[7] Filmink wrote: The film is full of interesting visual touches – flashy montages, freeze frames, etc.

Richard Jaekel is excellent, and Andress was never shot more beautifully – Derek really knew how to frame her face.