The Desperados (1969)

During the Civil War, ex-parson Josiah Galt and his sons are Confederate raiders but they become common robbers after the war, save for son David who goes straight.

Director:

Henry Levin

Writers:

Walter Brough (screenplay), Clarke Reynolds (story)

Stars:

Vince Edwards, Sylvia Syms, Benjamin Edney

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vince Edwards	...	David Galt
Sylvia Syms	...	Laura (his wife)
Benjamin Edney	...	Pauly (his son)
Jack Palance	...	Parson Josiah Galt
Sheila Burrell	...	Emily Galt
George Maharis	...	Jacob Galt
Kate O'Mara	...	Adah (his girl)
Christian Roberts	...	Adam Galt
Kenneth Cope	...	Carlin
Patrick Holt	...	Haller
Christopher Malcolm	...	Gregg
John Clark	...	Todd
Neville Brand	...	Marshal Kilpatrick
John Paul	...	Sheriff Lacey
David Thomson	...	Deputy Tate (as David Thompson)

Storyline

During the Civil War, Josiah Galt, a former parson, and his sons David, Jacob and Adam, become a gang of bandits who plunder, rob and rape for pleasure. Disgusted by the massacre of the whole population of St. Thomas, Kansas, David drops out of the gang and joins his wife Laura. After their son Pauly was born, David and Laura settle down in Chilon, Texas. A few years later, Galt's gang come there with a view to robbing the local bank.

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Plot Keywords:

downward spiral | spaghetti western | massacre | rape | confederate raider | 

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Taglines:

On Sundays they hardly ever kill anybody!

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

M

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jeffrey Hunter was originally signed for the George Maharis role, but died shortly thereafter.

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Goofs

When the raiders are riding in to attack the town at the start of the film there are several shots showing large mountains in the background despite the fact that this is supposedly the very flat state of Kansas.

User Reviews

Unbelievably Bad!

Some movies are much more than the sum of their parts. This is not one of them. Despite some well-known actors and actresses in the cast, this movie is a total flop and richly merits the "Screaming Turkey" award. This fiasco makes "Plan 9 From Outer Space" look like fine art in comparison.

When these Civil War guerrillas (a very vapid version of Quantrill's Raiders is depicted) pull out Colt Peacemakers in the start of the film (a firearm that hadn't even been invented yet), I knew I was in for a real treat as far as authenticity was concerned.

Don't waste your time watching this silly waste of money, film, and talent.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 February 1969 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

The Desperados

Filming Locations:

La Pedriza, Jaén, Andalucía, Spain

Company Credits

Production Co:

Meadway Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1