Cain's Cutthroats (1971)

Following the Civil War, Confederate Captain Justice Cain has retired to a quiet life with his young son and black wife. However, the men of his old outfit, known as Cain's Cutthroats, have... See full summary »

Director:

Ken Osborne

Writers:

Wilton Denmark (original screenplay), Ralph Luce (additional dialogue),

Stars:

John Carradine, Scott Brady, Robert Dix

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Carradine	...	Preacher Simms
Scott Brady	...	Justice Cain
Robert Dix	...	Amison, Gang Leader
Don Epperson	...	Farrette
Darwin Joston	...	Billy Joe
Adair Jameson	...	Rita (as Adair Jamison)
Bruce Kimball	...	Tucker
Russ McCubbin
Tereza Thaw	...	Cain's Wife
Valda Hansen	...	Zelda
Tommy Davis
Tom Woytowich
Willis Martin
Ruby Florence
Andy Moon

Storyline

Following the Civil War, Confederate Captain Justice Cain has retired to a quiet life with his young son and black wife. However, the men of his old outfit, known as Cain's Cutthroats, have turned to lives of murder, torture and robbery. They attempt to convince Cain to ride with them once more. He refuses, and the Cutthroats murder his family. Swearing vengeance, Cain teams up with a colorful preacher/bounty hunter, and hunts down his family's killers one at a time.

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Plot Keywords:

murder | civil war | rape | firing squad | black comedy | 

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Taglines:

Some men just don't follow the code of the west.

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Drama | Western

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 February 1971 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Cain's Way

Filming Locations:

Kanab, Utah, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Colby Productions, Fanfare Films, J.C. Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was belatedly (and incorrectly) branded a former UK 'video nasty' following its inclusion in the 2000 book on banned UK horror films "See No Evil". In fact the film had never been prosecuted or listed as a video nasty during the 1980's.

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Quotes

Preacher Simms: May the Lord ride with you, Brother Cain. Because if He isn't, you'll ride alone.

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Soundtracks

"Going Back To Georgia"
Sung by Don Epperson

User Reviews

Could have been better, but not too bad.

Cain's Cutthroats is a fast paced and violent western worth seeking out. It is the story of an ex-Confederate army captain named Justiss Cain who is one day visited by his ex-gang of thieves and killers who served with him during the Civil War. The gang has hopes of Cain joining them in order to "give it to those blue belly yankees." When Cain (who has changed for the better since the war) refuses, it leads to a fight which ends with his family being killed and him being left for dead. Once Cain is nursed back to health by a preacher/bounty hunter passing by, the hunt is on for the gang. For Cain it is revenge he seeks. For the preacher, it is the reward money to be gained!

The performances by the cast are fine. The actors playing the gang do a very good job of making the audience root against them. John Carradine is probably the most memorable as the preacher. He is funny, witty and at times very crazy! The action scenes, although well handled, are a bit excessive due to some very bloody exit gunshot wounds. As for the ending, although satisfying and just, I found it too abrupt. Fans of rare westerns will want to seek out this little known oddity and also the Barry Shear film, The Deadly Trackers; which Cain's Cutthroats reminded me of. Happy Hunting!!