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The Legend of Hillbilly John

  • 19721972
  • GG
  • 1h 29m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
130
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
The Legend of Hillbilly John (1972)
  • Drama
  • Fantasy
  • Horror
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.
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
130
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • John Newland
  • Writers
    • Melvin Levy
    • Manly Wade Wellman(book "Who Fears the Devil?")
  • Stars
    • Severn Darden
    • Hedges Capers
    • Sharon Henesy
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Newland
  • Writers
    • Melvin Levy
    • Manly Wade Wellman(book "Who Fears the Devil?")
  • Stars
    • Severn Darden
    • Hedges Capers
    • Sharon Henesy
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 8User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    The Legend of Hillbilly John (1972)
    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Severn Darden
    Severn Darden
    • Mr. Mardukeas Mr. Marduke
    Hedges Capers
    • Johnas John
    Sharon Henesy
    • Lilyas Lily
    Honor Hound
    • Selfas Self
    Sidney Clute
    Sidney Clute
    • Charlesas Charles
    Denver Pyle
    Denver Pyle
    • Grandpappy Johnas Grandpappy John
    White Lightnin'
    • Themselvesas Themselves
    William Traylor
    • Reverend Millenas Reverend Millen
    Harris Yulin
    Harris Yulin
    • Zebulon Yandroas Zebulon Yandro
    Susan Strasberg
    Susan Strasberg
    • Polly Wiltseas Polly Wiltse
    Alfred Ryder
    Alfred Ryder
    • O. J. Onselmas O. J. Onselm
    R.G. Armstrong
    R.G. Armstrong
    • Bristoweas Bristowe
    Chester Jones
    • Uncle Anansias Uncle Anansi
    Val Avery
    Val Avery
    • Cobartas Cobart
    Percy Rodrigues
    Percy Rodrigues
    • Capt. Lojoie H. Desplain IVas Capt. Lojoie H. Desplain IV
    • Director
      • John Newland
    • Writers
      • Melvin Levy
      • Manly Wade Wellman(book "Who Fears the Devil?")
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —frankfob2@yahoo.com
    • hixploitation
    • psychotronic film
    • singer
    • time travel
    • hillbilly
    • 3 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • from ghostly hark mountain this eerie story of witches ... voodoo ... devils ... monsters
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Fantasy
      • Horror
    • Certificate
      • G
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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
      Referenced in My Best Friend's Birthday (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      The Devil (Song of the Defy)
      Written and Sung by Hoyt Axton

      courtesy of Capitol Records

    User reviews8

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Nice try at filming a folk fantasy.
    Hampered by a tiny budget and a lack of subtlety, Hillbilly John does an earnest job of bringing Manly Wade Wellman's silver-stringed guitar hero's adventures to the screen. Nice use of music by Hoyt Axton and some effective moments in two of the stories directly adapted from Wellman's fantasies. The last third of the film departs from its source material and grows tiresome. Definitely good enough to justify someone releasing it on DVD.
    helpful•9
    1
    • austex23
    • Sep 27, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • 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

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

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