Against the intrigue and violence of Vietnam during the French war with the Vietminh, Alden Pyle, an idealistic young American, is sent to promote democracy, as his friend, Fowler, a cynical foreign correspondent, looks on. Fowler's mistress, a beautiful native girl, creates a catalyst for jealousy and competition between the men and a cultural clash resulting in bloodshed and deep misgivings.

Helicopter Heroine is the story of Valérie André, who began her medical career in Paris under the eyes of the Gestapo, trained as a neurosurgeon, and blazed trails as a helicopter pioneer and battlefield medicine innovator during the French Indochina war. Flying through bullets and bombs to treat and evacuate the wounded, André became a legend.