The Devil's Backbone (1970)
The Deserter (original title)Reference View | Change View
- PG
- 1h 40min
- Drama, Western
- 25 Mar 1971 (West Germany)
- Movie
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.
Directors:
Writers:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Bekim Fehmiu | ... |
Capt. Victor Kaleb
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| Richard Crenna | ... |
Maj. Wade Brown
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| Chuck Connors | ... |
Reynolds
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| Ricardo Montalban | ... |
Natchai - Indian Scout
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| Ian Bannen | ... |
British Army Capt. Crawford
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| Brandon De Wilde | ... |
Lt. Ferguson
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| Slim Pickens | ... |
Tattinger - American Scout
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| Woody Strode | ... |
Cpl. Jackson
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| Albert Salmi | ... |
Sgt. Schmidt
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| Patrick Wayne | ... |
Capt. Bill Robinson
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| Fausto Tozzi | ... |
Orozco
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| Mimmo Palmara | ... |
Apache Chief Mangus Durango
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John Alderson | ... |
O'Toole
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Doc Greaves | ... |
Capt. Scott
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| Lucio Rosato | ... |
Jed
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Roberto Simmi | ... |
Justin
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Larry Stewart | ... |
Robinson
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Gianni Vannicola | ... |
Jeff
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Giancarlo Zampetti | ... |
Apache Prisoner
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Manfredo Giusto | ... |
Apache Boy
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| John Huston | ... |
Gen. Miles
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| Remo De Angelis | ... |
Mark
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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José Terrón | ... |
Apache (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Burt Kennedy | ||
| Niksa Fulgosi | ... | (uncredited) |
Written by
| Stuart J. Byrne | ... | (based on a story by) |
| William H. James | ... | (based on a story by) |
| Massimo D'Avak | ... | (based on a story by) |
| Clair Huffaker | ... | (adaptation) |
| Clair Huffaker | ... | (screenplay) |
Produced by
| Norman Baer | ... | producer |
| Dino De Laurentiis | ... | producer |
| Guy Luongo | ... | associate producer |
| Ralph B. Serpe | ... | producer |
Music by
| Piero Piccioni | ||
Cinematography by
| Aldo Tonti | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Frank Santillo | ||
Editorial Department
| Giorgio Fabianelli | ... | assistant editor |
Production Design by
| Mario Chiari | ||
Art Direction by
| Aleksandar Milovic | ||
Costume Design by
| Elio Micheli | ||
Makeup Department
| Giuliano Laurenti | ... | makeup artist |
| Elda Magnanti | ... | hair stylist |
| Paquita Trench | ... | assistant makeup artist (uncredited) |
Production Management
| Roberto Cocco | ... | production manager |
| Vicente Sempere | ... | unit manager (as Vincente Sempere) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| José López Rodero | ... | assistant director |
Art Department
| Enzo Eusepi | ... | set dresser (as Vincenzo Eusepi) |
Sound Department
| Gerry Hambling | ... | sound editor (as Jerry Hambling) |
| Rocco Roy Mangano | ... | sound |
| Jim Willis | ... | sound engineer |
Special Effects by
| Augie Lohman | ... | special effects (as August Lohman) |
| Fernando Pérez | ... | special effects technician (uncredited) |
Visual Effects by
| Cliff Culley | ... | optical effects |
Stunts
| Remo De Angelis | ... | stunt supervisor |
| Miguel Pedregosa | ... | stunt performer (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Alfonso Avincola | ... | still photographer |
| Luciano Tonti | ... | camera operator |
Script and Continuity Department
| Barbara Cole | ... | script supervisor |
Additional Crew
| Dino De Laurentiis | ... | presenter |
| Carlo Alighiero | ... | voice dubbing: Ricardo Montalban (uncredited) |
| Gianfranco Bellini | ... | voice dubbing: Ian Bannen (uncredited) |
| Pino Colizzi | ... | voice dubbing: Wade Brown (uncredited) |
| Luciano De Ambrosis | ... | voice dubbing: Chuck Connors (uncredited) |
| Glauco Onorato | ... | voice dubbing: Woody Strode (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- Dino de Laurentiis Cinematografica
- Jadran Film
- Heritage Enterprises Inc. (in association with)
Distributors
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1970) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1971) (France) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1971) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1971) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1971) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Paramount British Pictures (1971) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Paramount Pictures (1971) (United States) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1972) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Studio T (1975) (Brazil) (VHS)
- CBS (1977) (United States) (tv)
- CIC Video (West Germany) (VHS)
- Esselte Video (1985) (Sweden) (video)
- Paramount Home Entertainment (1990) (United States) (VHS)
- Esselte CIC Video (Netherlands) (VHS)
- MGM/UA Home Entertainment (United States) (VHS)
- Mill Creek Entertainment (United States) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Dino Edizioni Musicali (soundtrack)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
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 |
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| Taglines | The Deserter and his blood bath brigade -- they drenched the west with terror! See more » |
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| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| 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. See more » |
| 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. 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 » |