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IMDbPro

The Legend of Hillbilly John

  • 1972
  • G
  • 1h 29m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
139
YOUR RATING
The Legend of Hillbilly John (1972)
DramaFantasyHorror

A wandering ballad singer in the Appalachians meets an ugly bird-type creature, is transported back in time, finds himself involved in the Devil's work.A wandering ballad singer in the Appalachians meets an ugly bird-type creature, is transported back in time, finds himself involved in the Devil's work.A wandering ballad singer in the Appalachians meets an ugly bird-type creature, is transported back in time, finds himself involved in the Devil's work.

  • Director
    • John Newland
  • Writers
    • Melvin Levy
    • Manly Wade Wellman
  • Stars
    • Severn Darden
    • Hedges Capers
    • Sharon Henesy
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    5.8/10
    139
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Newland
    • Writers
      • Melvin Levy
      • Manly Wade Wellman
    • Stars
      • Severn Darden
      • Hedges Capers
      • Sharon Henesy
    • 8User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    The Legend of Hillbilly John (1972)
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    Top cast

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    Severn Darden
    Severn Darden
    • Mr. Marduke
    Hedges Capers
    • John
    • (as Hedge Capers)
    Sharon Henesy
    • Lily
    Honor Hound
    • Self
    Sidney Clute
    Sidney Clute
    • Charles
    Denver Pyle
    Denver Pyle
    • Grandpappy John
    White Lightnin'
    • Themselves
    William Traylor
    • Reverend Millen
    Harris Yulin
    Harris Yulin
    • Zebulon Yandro
    Susan Strasberg
    Susan Strasberg
    • Polly Wiltse
    Alfred Ryder
    Alfred Ryder
    • O. J. Onselm
    R.G. Armstrong
    R.G. Armstrong
    • Bristowe
    Chester Jones
    • Uncle Anansi
    Val Avery
    Val Avery
    • Cobart
    Percy Rodrigues
    Percy Rodrigues
    • Capt. Lojoie H. Desplain IV
    • Director
      • John Newland
    • Writers
      • Melvin Levy
      • Manly Wade Wellman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Silver John is a fictional character from a series of fantasy stories by American author Manly Wade Wellman. Though fans refer to him as Silver John or as John the Balladeer, the stories call him simply John. He is an example of the loner hero. The stories are set in the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina. The historical period is never explicitly indicated, but appears to be the middle 20th century. The film's plot incorporates two of the John stories: "The Desrick on Yandro" and "O Ugly Bird".
    • Connections
      Featured in Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror (2021)
    • Soundtracks
      The Devil (Song of the Defy)
      Written and Sung by Hoyt Axton

      courtesy of Capitol Records

    User reviews8

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    5/10
    The wheels come off a cult movie ........
    Ambitious way beyond it's budget, "The Legend of Hillbilly John" does not live up to it's cult movie reputation. A wandering folk singer, Hedges Capers, uses his silver string guitar to defeat the Devil in various forms. The Appalachian setting is interesting, and I would not be surprised if inhabitants of the hollows truly believed the Devil caused their calamities. Superstition or not, the first half of the film holds interest as John sets out with his faithful dog to bring and end to a winged annoyance known as the "Dirty Bird". The claymation creature is eventually slain, not by singing it to death, but by a bash with the guitar. Beyond this the movie drags on to an underwhelming political statement conclusion. - MERK.
    helpful•3
    5
    • merklekranz
    • Dec 10, 2013

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • February 1974 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ballad of Hillbilly John
    • Filming locations
      • North Carolina, USA
    • Production company
      • Two's Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 29 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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