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.
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Title: The Devil's Backbone (1971)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Bekim Fehmiu | ... | Capt. Victor Kaleb | |
| Richard Crenna | ... | Maj. Wade Brown | |
| Chuck Connors | ... | Reynolds | |
| Ricardo Montalban | ... | Natchai - Indian Scout | |
| Ian Bannen | ... | British Army Capt. Crawford | |
| Brandon De Wilde | ... | Lt. Ferguson | |
| Slim Pickens | ... | Tattinger - American Scout | |
| Woody Strode | ... | Jackson | |
| Albert Salmi | ... | Schmidt | |
| Patrick Wayne | ... | Capt. Bill Robinson | |
| Fausto Tozzi | ... | Orozco | |
| Mimmo Palmara | ... | Apache Chief Mangus Durango | |
 |
John Alderson | ... | O'Toole |
|
|
Doc Greaves | ... | Scott |
|
|
Lucio Rosato | ... | Jed |
Edit
Plot Summary
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Storyline
Bitter over his wife's death due to what he believes was army negligence, Capt. Viktor Kaleb deserts the cavalry and disappears into the southwestern wasteland. But when marauding Apaches set up a stronghold just out of the cavalry's reach in Mexico, Kaleb is given amnesty in exchange for leading a small band of especially trained soldiers to wipe out the Indian stronghold. Written by Jim Beaver <jumblejim@prodigy.net>
Plot Keywords:
arizona territory | apache indian | tomahawk | sierra madre mountains | fort bowie |Taglines:
A savage renegade and the chosen few... they followed him into Hell just for the chance to kill him! See more »Genres:
WesternParents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
25 March 1971 (West Germany) See more »Also Known As:
The Devil's Backbone See more »Company Credits
Production Co:
Dino de Laurentiis Cinematografica, Jadran Film, Heritage Enterprises Inc. See more »
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IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)Color:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
Edit
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.
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Body count: 95. See more »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.
See more »
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Really loved this film when I saw it on BBC1 way back in 1981, when I was the grand old age of 11. One of those films I always wanted to see on TV again, but it has NEVER been repeated on UK TV. However, I managed to pick it up on second hand video from e-bay, and wondered how it would stand up today, over 20 years after I saw it. The verdict? Still great. True, it is dated in parts (Music, editing) but these are really minor complaints on the whole. The lead character is great; really ruthless and a true anti-hero. Some great supporting cast also; with some really unexpected moments. And it takes it's time getting to where it's going, which I feel a lot of todays films lack. In 'The Deserter', the characters are given time to breath, and it is not until well after the first hour that they inevitably start to die. This all leads up to an explosive last twenty mins, with some memorable scenes. If you love 'guys on a mission' movies, or westerns, see this little gem. Allan.