The Devil's Backbone

Original title: The Deserter

1970
PG
1h 40m

IMDb RATING

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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.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.2/10

541

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

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Storyline

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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 reviews17

Review

Featured review

8/10

Great Dirty Dozen style western

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.