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The Desperados

  • 19691969
  • MM
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
4.7/10
519
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
The Desperados (1969)
  • Western
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.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.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.
IMDb RATING
4.7/10
519
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Henry Levin
  • Writers
    • Walter Brough(screenplay)
    • Clarke Reynolds(story)
  • Stars
    • Vince Edwards
    • Sylvia Syms
    • Benjamin Edney
Top credits
  • Director
    • Henry Levin
  • Writers
    • Walter Brough(screenplay)
    • Clarke Reynolds(story)
  • Stars
    • Vince Edwards
    • Sylvia Syms
    • Benjamin Edney
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 18User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos17

    The Desperados (1969)
    The Desperados (1969)
    Christian Roberts in The Desperados (1969)
    Christian Roberts in The Desperados (1969)
    Christian Roberts in The Desperados (1969)
    Christian Roberts in The Desperados (1969)
    The Desperados (1969)
    The Desperados (1969)
    The Desperados (1969)
    The Desperados (1969)
    The Desperados (1969)
    The Desperados (1969)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Vince Edwards
    Vince Edwards
    • David Galtas David Galt
    Sylvia Syms
    Sylvia Syms
    • Laura (his wife)as Laura (his wife)
    Benjamin Edney
    • Pauly (his son)as Pauly (his son)
    Jack Palance
    Jack Palance
    • Parson Josiah Galtas Parson Josiah Galt
    Sheila Burrell
    Sheila Burrell
    • Emily Galtas Emily Galt
    George Maharis
    George Maharis
    • Jacob Galtas Jacob Galt
    Kate O'Mara
    Kate O'Mara
    • Adah (his girl)as Adah (his girl)
    Christian Roberts
    Christian Roberts
    • Adam Galtas Adam Galt
    Kenneth Cope
    Kenneth Cope
    • Carlinas Carlin
    Patrick Holt
    Patrick Holt
    • Halleras Haller
    Christopher Malcolm
    Christopher Malcolm
    • Greggas Gregg
    John Clark
    • Toddas Todd
    Neville Brand
    Neville Brand
    • Marshal Kilpatrickas Marshal Kilpatrick
    John Paul
    • Sheriff Laceyas Sheriff Lacey
    David Thomson
    • Deputy Tateas Deputy Tate
    • (as David Thompson)
    Elliott Sullivan
    • Jennisonas Jennison
    Ed Bishop
    Ed Bishop
    • Army Captainas Army Captain
    • (voice)
    Robert Rietty
    Robert Rietty
    • Deputyas Deputy
    • (voice)
    • Director
      • Henry Levin
    • Writers
      • Walter Brough(screenplay)
      • Clarke Reynolds(story)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —Guy Bellinger
    • downward spiral
    • spaghetti western
    • timeframe 1860s
    • massacre
    • rape
    • 28 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • On Sundays they hardly ever kill anybody!
    • Genre
      • Western
    • Certificate
      • M
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jeffrey Hunter was originally signed for the George Maharis role, but died shortly thereafter.
    • Goofs
      Quantrill's Raiders, a gang of Civil War guerrillas, are using Colt Peacemaker pistols, a weapon that wasn't invented until after the Civil War had ended.

    User reviews18

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    American/British Western in Italian style and filmed on location in Almeria , Spain
    Unknown and tragic Western with unexpected final and ordinary actors as Vince Edwards and important appearance by the great Jack Palance who does an excessive playing . Passable Western in which Civil War deserters ravage the Old West ; it packs sad atmosphere , wonderful musical score and spectacular outdoors . It deals with a family whose father named Parson Galt (Jack Palance) is leader a violent bunch similarly to Quantrell-Bill Anderson's guerrillas , they are burning buildings , grisly raids , torching planted fields and shooting down livestock to deprive northern people of food , fodder, and support . Parson's men rode out in a little town and most of buildings were burning, including all businesses, his raiders looted indiscriminately and robbed the town's bank . The film is set during American Civil War when the eldest son named David Galt (Vince Edwards) decides the massacre needs to stop . David murders one of his own soldiers by accident during an attack and he is detained and condemned to death in a family run court . Anyway, Edwards getaway after fighting his brother Jacob (George Maharis) ; both of whom hate until death since one of them committed a crime . David goes to Texas, turning his name and living the good life with a spouse (Sylvia Syms) and a newborn. The ex-gunman hopes to settle down with his wife and son , but his old enemies have other plans for him . In Texas, only sheriff (Neville Brand ) knows Edwards' new identity . And his visions of a quiet life are doomed by the re-appearance of enemies from his past . David is taken prisoner and is humbled , beaten, shot, before he either changes certain elements of his character or learns the secret necessary to ultimately get revenge . Later on , there takes place a spectacular struggle between David and Jacob on Austin-Fort Bend train .

    Here is a thinking person's Western with elements of Greek tragedy that deals with one ex-guerrillero who also is unable to shake his past and whose ultimate goal for taking root again is impeded by killing and subsequent vengeance . Acceptable twilight Western with interesting dialogue , splendid cinematography by Sam Leavitt and memorable musical score by David Whitaker . This Cain/Abel Western results to be a typical story with Spaghetti influence in which blends the common scenarios , as vengeful and tough antiheroes , difficult and fast showdowns and raids with numerous deceases , some quick zooms and habitual Spanish scenarios . The mixture of action and drama is well balanced . Watch out for the final duel it's outstanding for a Western with unexpected resolution . The revenge as main theme might be usual for this genre but with all these dreamlike flashbacks about his mother from the key character it's a fresh look . Good main cast as Vince Edwards and overacting by Jack Palance ; the support cast is full of good British actors as Sylvia Syms , Kate O'Mara and Christian Roberts . Besides, good set decoration and art direction by Jose Alguero , filmed in Spanish studios and of course 'Almeria' and Las Rozas , La Pedriza , Madrid . Levin shows a dark, depressing, and sadly realistic face of the west. In fact, the entire movie is a drama of characters and family confrontation . But watching the film, you would be able to feel how Levin equates victory with redemption .

    This violent western well produced by Irving Allen and professionally directed by Henry Levin failed at Box office ; however , nowadays is best considered . Ex-actor ,director Henry Levin was a previous stage player who had a prolific and long career as filmmaker entering the directing in 1943 about every genre over the next 36 years . His heyday was in the 1960s , when he turned out several bright and frothy sex comedies, notably ¨Belles on their toes , Come fly with me , Honeymoon hotel¨ , his greatest films were on the adventure genre as ¨Genghis Khan , The wonderful world of Brothers Grimm , The bandit of Sherwood Forest , The return of Monte Cristo and Journey to the center of the earth¨ . Although Levin's forte was light comedies, one of his most interesting films was a dark, brooding western ¨Lonely man¨ (1957) and ¨Desperados¨ , both of them with Jack Palance. He finished his career piloting made-for-television movies, and died on the final day of shooting Scout's Honor (1980) (TV). If you are looking for Westerns with action , violence but also story and atmospheric scenes "Desperados" should be for you.
    helpful•17
    6
    • ma-cortes
    • Jan 11, 2012

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 28, 1969 (West Germany)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Desperadosi
    • Filming locations
      • La Pedriza, Manzanares el Real, Madrid, Spain
    • Production company
      • Meadway Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 31 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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