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The Devil's Backbone

Original title: The Deserter
  • 19701970
  • PGPG
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
473
YOUR RATING
The Devil's Backbone (1970)
  • Western
Army deserter Capt. Viktor Kaleb is offered a pardon and reinstatement in the cavalry if he agrees to lead a special forces group in a raid against an Apache stronghold into Mexico.Army deserter Capt. Viktor Kaleb is offered a pardon and reinstatement in the cavalry if he agrees to lead a special forces group in a raid against an Apache stronghold into Mexico.Army deserter Capt. Viktor Kaleb is offered a pardon and reinstatement in the cavalry if he agrees to lead a special forces group in a raid against an Apache stronghold into Mexico.
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
473
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • Burt Kennedy
    • Niksa Fulgosi(uncredited)
  • Writers
    • Stuart J. Byrne(based on a story by)
    • William H. James(based on a story by)
    • Massimo D'Avak(based on a story by)
  • Stars
    • Bekim Fehmiu
    • Richard Crenna
    • Chuck Connors
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Burt Kennedy
    • Niksa Fulgosi(uncredited)
  • Writers
    • Stuart J. Byrne(based on a story by)
    • William H. James(based on a story by)
    • Massimo D'Avak(based on a story by)
  • Stars
    • Bekim Fehmiu
    • Richard Crenna
    • Chuck Connors
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 15User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos18

    The Devil's Backbone (1970)
    Ricardo Montalban in The Devil's Backbone (1970)
    Woody Strode in The Devil's Backbone (1970)
    Ian Bannen, Richard Crenna, and Bekim Fehmiu in The Devil's Backbone (1970)
    Ricardo Montalban in The Devil's Backbone (1970)
    Ian Bannen, Chuck Connors, Bekim Fehmiu, Woody Strode, and Patrick Wayne in The Devil's Backbone (1970)
    Ian Bannen, Chuck Connors, Bekim Fehmiu, and Patrick Wayne in The Devil's Backbone (1970)
    Slim Pickens and Chuck Connors in The Devil's Backbone (1970)
    John Huston, Chuck Connors, and Bekim Fehmiu in The Devil's Backbone (1970)
    Chuck Connors and Bekim Fehmiu in The Devil's Backbone (1970)
    Bekim Fehmiu in The Devil's Backbone (1970)
    Ricardo Montalban and Bekim Fehmiu in The Devil's Backbone (1970)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bekim Fehmiu
    Bekim Fehmiu
    • Capt. Victor Kalebas Capt. Victor Kaleb
    Richard Crenna
    Richard Crenna
    • Maj. Wade Brownas Maj. Wade Brown
    Chuck Connors
    Chuck Connors
    • Reynoldsas Reynolds
    Ricardo Montalban
    Ricardo Montalban
    • Natchai - Indian Scoutas Natchai - Indian Scout
    Ian Bannen
    Ian Bannen
    • British Army Capt. Crawfordas British Army Capt. Crawford
    Brandon De Wilde
    Brandon De Wilde
    • Lt. Fergusonas Lt. Ferguson
    Slim Pickens
    Slim Pickens
    • Tattinger - American Scoutas Tattinger - American Scout
    Woody Strode
    Woody Strode
    • Cpl. Jacksonas Cpl. Jackson
    Albert Salmi
    Albert Salmi
    • Sgt. Schmidtas Sgt. Schmidt
    Patrick Wayne
    Patrick Wayne
    • Capt. Bill Robinsonas Capt. Bill Robinson
    Fausto Tozzi
    Fausto Tozzi
    • Orozcoas Orozco
    Mimmo Palmara
    Mimmo Palmara
    • Apache Chief Mangus Durangoas Apache Chief Mangus Durango
    John Alderson
    • O'Tooleas O'Toole
    Doc Greaves
    • Capt. Scottas Capt. Scott
    Lucio Rosato
    Lucio Rosato
    • Jedas Jed
    Roberto Simmi
    • Justinas Justin
    Larry Stewart
    • Robinsonas Robinson
    Gianni Vannicola
    • Jeffas Jeff
    • Directors
      • Burt Kennedy
      • Niksa Fulgosi(uncredited)
    • Writers
      • Stuart J. Byrne(based on a story by)
      • William H. James(based on a story by)
      • Massimo D'Avak(based on a story by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Burt Kennedy came on board, he wanted Henry Fonda, Martin Balsam, Ernest Borgnine or Martin Landau or Karl Malden for the part of Gen. Miles. Malden looked for $250,000 plus $1,500 a day expenses. A much cheaper John Huston got the part.
    • Goofs
      At 38:50, the captain says to be there at daybreak. Yet the next scene when they are preparing to depart, the height of the sun is at least 10 am.
    • Quotes

      Captain Viktor Kaleb: O'Toole made two mistakes. He didn't test his skills...

      Cpt. Crawford: And he yelled when he was falling.

      Captain Viktor Kaleb: An Apache wouldn't.

      Cpt. Crawford: Damn it! If a man is dying, he has a right to be a little bit disturbed by it!

      Captain Viktor Kaleb: Not if he cares anything about the men he was with.

    User reviews15

    Review
    Top review
    Hard to get excited over Bekim Fehmiu
    Bekim Fehmiu had got a lot of exposure in _The Adventurers_, so here's Hollywood wondering if it should keep him around as a leading man. He gets a good director and a dream cast of character actors to support him. And there's a line in the script to identify him as a Serb in case you need an explanation of his accent, but the line isn't necessary; his English is fine.

    Still, the burden is too much for Bekim. The film is a particularly dark Western. Writer/directory Kennedy, whose other films display a lot of warmth and humor, has given the star little to work with but grief and righteous resentment. You wish the hero well, but he doesn't engage you, and Bekim can't draw the missing sparkle forth from his own personality... not for an American audience, anyway.

    We're left with a B movie, a movie that can command your attention but not your love.
    helpful•12
    7
    • Nozz
    • May 14, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 25, 1971 (West Germany)
    • Countries of origin
      • Italy
      • Yugoslavia
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Deserter
    • Filming locations
      • El Torcal de Antequera, Málaga, Andalucía, Spain
    • Production companies
      • Dino de Laurentiis Cinematografica
      • Jadran Film
      • Heritage Enterprises Inc.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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