Backtrack! (1969)

Wyoming cowhand and gambler Trampas is sent by his employer to Mexico to buy a bull but in Laredo he unwillingly joins three Texas Rangers on a dangerous mission into Mexico.

Director:

Earl Bellamy

Writer:

Borden Chase

Stars:

Neville Brand, James Drury, Doug McClure

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Neville Brand	...	Texas Ranger Reese Bennett (archive footage)
James Drury	...	Ramrod (archive footage)
Doug McClure	...	Trampas (archive footage)
Peter Brown	...	Texas Ranger Chad Cooper (archive footage)
William Smith	...	Texas Ranger Joe Riley (archive footage)
Philip Carey	...	Texas Ranger Capt. Edward A. Parmalee (archive footage)
Ida Lupino	...	Mama Dolores (archive footage)
Rhonda Fleming	...	Carmelita Flanagan (archive footage)
Fernando Lamas	...	Capt. Estrada (archive footage)
Royal Dano	...	Faraway (archive footage)
Gary Clarke	...	Steve (archive footage)
Randy Boone	...	Randy (archive footage)
L.Q. Jones	...	Belden (archive footage)
Carol Byron	...	Winnie (archive footage)
Ross Elliott	...	Sheriff Abbott (archive footage) (as Ross Elliot)

Storyline

Trampas, a cowhand from Medicine Bow, Wyoming, is sent to Mexico to buy a bull for his employer. The ranch foreman warns him to watch out for himself in Laredo, a tough town on the Texas/Mexican border. Despite the warning, in a western version of the Dumas classic, "The Three Musketeers", Trampas manages to get himself engaged to fight three separate Texas Rangers within an hour of his arrival. Unlike D'Artagnan, he has no notion of actually fighting the Rangers: all he wants is out of Laredo. He's on his way out of town when he runs into the three Rangers--who turn out to be partners--on their way to track down a missing train carrying a payroll. The Rangers, learning Trampas is headed in the same direction they are, suggest they all ride together--that way, they can fight him after they have fulfilled their mission. Without much choice, Trampas wryly agrees. When they find the train, however, they quickly forget their quarrels--the train was robbed and everyone aboard killed, ...

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Plot Keywords:

train | texas ranger | cowhand | arrow | badge | 

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Taglines:

They Lived, Loved, and Battled Across the Face of Texas

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 November 1969 (UK)

Also Known As:

Gefährlicher Auftrag

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

MCA-TV, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first 12 minutes is season 2 episode 1 of The Virginian 'Ride a Dark Trail'.From the scene where Trampas, Belden and Randy ride into Shiloh ranch it is season 3 episode 30 'We've Lost a Train'

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Goofs

When Trampas leaves Mexico with the bull it has solid wheels. When it arrives back at the ranch, the wheels have spokes.

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Connections

Edited from The Virginian: We've Lost a Train (1965)

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Soundtracks

We're Gonna Raise a Ruckus Tonight
Performed by Randy Boone

User Reviews

delightful combination of "Laredo" and "The Virginian"

This movie combines the characters from my favorite TV Western series, "Laredo", with the characters from another excellent 1960s TV Western series, "The Virginian". If you are a fan of either, but especially of "Laredo", check this movie out. In my opinion, the best part of the movie is the relationship between the three Texas Rangers, who are fast friends but also give each other a good deal of grief.