In the mountain nation of Parmistan, American Colonel Cabot is chased by hooded warriors. As he hangs from a rope above a ravine, he appeals to his pursuers that he is playing by the rules of “the game” created by the Kahn of Parmistan, and is not allowed to be killed, but a rebel named Zamir ignores the rules, shoots him with an arrow, and Cabot falls to his death. Years later, his son, Olympic gymnast Jonathan Cabot, prepares for a covert mission in Parmistan, where he will play “the game” in which the winner is granted a request. Special agent Paley instructs Jonathan to procure a Star Wars Satellite Station that lies within Parmistan, which can monitor all the world’s satellites and serve as an early warning system for nuclear attack. Paley warns that the Kahn is battling Parmistan rebels who want to sell the satellite station to the enemy. The only chance for the Americans to acquire it is by winning the game, which has not been won in over 900 years. Several countries are also training athletes to compete, but Paley reveals the Americans’ secret weapon: Princess Rubali, the Kahn’s daughter, has agreed to share her knowledge of the game. Jonathan spends two months working with trainers in Eastern and Western fighting techniques, and learning from Princess Rubali, who initially remains mute, teaching through her actions. In time, Jonathan kisses Rubali, who shares his affections, and they begin a relationship. Sometime later, Jonathan and the princess travel to Turkey, and are met by Colonel John “Stork” Mackle, who provides Jonathan with special weapons. While at a Turkish bazaar, Jonathan is attacked, and fights several men. Meanwhile, Rubali is kidnapped, and Jonathan returns to Mackle and learns that Zamir was behind the attack, and Rubali is being held in a Turkish terrorist training camp. As Jonathan searches for Rubali, he is attacked again, but uses gymnastics to thwart Zamir’s men. Elsewhere, Rubali learns that she was taken hostage to prompt her father to relinquish his throne. At the mansion, Jonathan fights more men, and escapes with Rubali, as gunmen pursue. They return safely to Mackle’s hideout, and are surprised when he holds them at gunpoint. However, Paley arrives and kills Mackle, then takes charge of the operation, and sends Jonathan and Rubali first by donkey, and then by raft, into Parmistan. They are met by hooded warriors, and a fight ensues. Jonathan beats several attackers before being knocked unconscious. He awakens in the home of the Kahn, and is welcomed by Zamir, the Kahn’s advisor, and told that Rubali is with her father. The following day, Kahn presents the rules of the game to Jonathan and his fellow competitors. First, they must run three miles through a swamp, then climb a two-hundred-foot rope, cross a gorge, and arrive at the high forest where they will enter the “Village of the Damned.” If they survive, they must return running the five miles. Kahn informs them that judges will be stationed along the course, and warns that avoiding any obstacle will result in instant death. Later, Kahn releases three Parmistan prisoners into the wild, where they are given the chance to run for their lives, as warriors pursue. Jonathan is advised not to help the men, who are soon captured and murdered before his eyes. Prior to the game, the competitors are treated to a banquet, where Rubali is seated next to Zamir. There, Jonathan asks Kahn about his father’s death, and Kahn praises Col. Cabot’s skills in the game. Later, Kahn announces the marriage of Rubali and Zamir, to occur the next day, following the game. Zamir notices the looks between Jonathan and Rubali, and threatens Jonathan. That night, Jonathan forces a slave woman to take him to see the princess. Rubali explains that the marriage is political, and she cannot stop it. She also reveals Zamir’s plan to overthrow her father, although Kahn fails to see the truth. Rubali warns that Zamir will leave no survivors in the game, and pleads with Jonathan not to compete, but he refuses. The lovers kiss before Jonathan departs for the night. When the game begins, Zamir breaks the rules in front of Kahn, and begins an early pursuit. As Jonathan climbs a rope, Zamir again violates the rules, and sets it on fire. Jonathan reports the rule-breaking to a judge along the path, but is ignored. Crossing the gorge where his father died, Jonathan narrowly survives, as Zamir cuts the rope. Later, a competitor named Thorg murders another athlete, then attacks Jonathan, who escapes when Thorg is wounded by an arrow shot by a judge. Next, Jonathan encounters a village of insane residents. There, he sees other slain competitors, as he fights off the townsfolk. As Thorg makes another attack on Jonathan, he is murdered by the villagers. Later, Jonathan is surrounded by a murderous mob, but is rescued by a hooded judge. When the man removes his hood, Jonathan’s father is revealed to be alive. Elsewhere, Rubali confronts her father and asks why he refuses to see Zamir’s treachery. As Jonathan and his father embrace, Zamir shoots an arrow into Col. Cabot’s back. The colonel tells his son to win before he collapses. Jonathan battles Zamir, and chokes him to death. Meanwhile, Kahn finally believes that Zamir and his men are traitors, and father and daughter fight together as they are ambushed by traitorous guards. Kahn announces to his kingdom that Zamir and his men are traitors, and the loyal townsfolk capture the guards. When a messenger announces the arrival of the game’s winner, Rubali is thrilled to see Jonathan and his wounded father ride in on horseback. She runs to greet her lover, mounts the horse, and kisses him as the crowd cheers.