Duel at Diablo (1966)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Ralph Nelson

Writers:

Marvin H. Albert (novel)
Marvin H. Albert (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

15 July 1966 (UK)

Genre:

Western

Plot:

Lieutenant McAllister is ordered to transport several ammunition wagons to another fort through Apache...

Plot Keywords:

Apache | Tortured To Death | Marital Strife | Loss Of Husband | Ambush

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

James Garner	...	Jess Remsberg (scout)
Sidney Poitier	...	Toller (contract horse dealer)
Bibi Andersson	...	Ellen Grange
Dennis Weaver	...	Willard Grange (Fort Creel freighter)
Bill Travers	...	Lt. Scotty McAllister
William Redfield	...	Sgt. Ferguson
John Hubbard	...	Major Novak - CO, Fort Creel
Ralph Nelson	...	Col. Foster (CO, Fort Concho) (as Alf Elson)
Bill Hart	...	Cpl. Harrington
John Hoyt	...	Chata (Apache chief)
Eddie Little Sky	...	Alchise - Apache warrior
John Crawford	...	Clay Dean (Fort Concho marshal)

Also Known As:

Ralph Nelson's Duel at Diablo (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono | Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Iceland:16 | UK:15 | USA:Approved (certificate #21219) | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Johnson Canyon, Kanab, Utah, USA

Company:

Cherokee Productions

Quotes:

Ellen Grange: They all think that any decent woman would prefer to die than live as an Apache squaw. Maybe they're right.
Jess Remsberg: Death comes soon enough. Anyone who hurries it is a damn fool.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Guns for Hire: The Making of 'The Magnificent Seven' (2000) (TV)

Unconventional Western

What makes this film interesting albeit unconventional are various themes that swirl beneath the main story line. Made at the time when the Civil Rights movement was in full swing, the film subtly touches on issues that were important during the 60s (e.g. racial tolerance, treatment of women and minorities). The film also has a brutal hard edge to it when it comes to the violence, death and the mayhem that takes throughout. The score gives a sense of desperation and inevitability which enhances its hard edge. Unlike many films of the genre, there is no clear cut protagonist or antagonist. The characters are realistic and more than mere two-dimensional cartoon characters for which the viewer could identify with. Overall, it is a thought provoking film that deserves a look in.