Backlash (1956)

Jim Slater seeks a survivor of the Apache ambush his father died in.

Director:

John Sturges

Writers:

Frank Gruber (novel), Borden Chase (screenplay)

Stars:

Richard Widmark, Donna Reed, William Campbell

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Richard Widmark	...	Jim Slater
Donna Reed	...	Karyl Orton
William Campbell	...	Johnny Cool
John McIntire	...	Jim Bonniwell
Barton MacLane	...	Sgt. George Lake
Harry Morgan	...	Tony Welker
Robert J. Wilke	...	Jeff Welker
Jack Lambert	...	Mike Benton
Roy Roberts	...	Maj. Carson
Edward Platt	...	Sheriff J.C. Marson (as Edward C. Platt)
Robert Foulk	...	Sheriff John F. Olson
Phil Chambers	...	Deputy Sheriff Dobbs
Gregg Barton	...	Sleepy
Fred Graham	...	Ned McCloud
Frank Chase	...	Cassidy, Shotgun Rider

Storyline

Jim Slater's father (whom he never knew) died in the Apache ambush at Gila Valley, and Jim is searching for the one survivor, who supposedly went for help but disappeared with a lot of gold. In the process, he gets several people gunning for him, and he keeps meeting liberated woman Karyl Orton, who may be on a similar mission. Renewed Apache hostilities and an impending range war provide complications.

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Plot Keywords:

gila valley arizona | arizona territory | apache territory | apache indian | u.s. cavalry | 

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Taglines:

PAST APACHE AMBUSH...PAST TREACHERY'S SILKEN NET!...Five Dead Men Led Jim Slater Down a Trail of No Return!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Mystery | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director John Sturges hired several hundred Papago Native Americans to play Indians in this film.

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Goofs

Karyl Orton's underwear is appropriate for the 1950s, but not the nineteenth century

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Quotes

Jim Bonniwell: What's on your mind?
Jim Slater: I've spent six months looking for a killer. What do you do when he turns out to be your father?
Jim Bonniwell: Killer? Aren't you a little careless with your words, son? Yes, I kill when I have to. But I've never killed a man who wasn't trying to kill me. And that goes for the Sheriff in spite of his badge.

User Reviews

you may have to change your "10 best western" list.

I saw this film for the first time probably in 1957, and I remember thinking it was very good. I saw it yesterday and was enthusiastic, what an excellent film! I can understand the comment that states that it is the best western ever made, it is certainly among the best. Borden Chase wrote the screenplay and considering he also did Winchester 73 plus the other Anthony Mann's- James Stewart westerns plus Red River, no need to say more. John Sturges was at his best in the fifties (Black Rock, OK Corral, Fort Bravo) and no more proof of that than "Backlash". The story can be described as a "whodunnit" and no more said about that not to spoil the film. The love relationship between Widmark and Donna Reed is well built, and the scene where Donna takes of her shirt to help the wounded Widmark is very, very sexy. William Campbell is OK, but I thought he was better in "Man Without a Star". There are many action scenes, one at the beginning that reminded me of one at the end of "Winchester 73". Also a couple of showdowns. If you already made your "10 best westerns" list, see this one, and you may have to change it.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 April 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Backlash

Filming Locations:

Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,025,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.00 : 1