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Western

Backlash

- Was The SIXTH MAN The Secret To The Five Empty Graves?...the Answer waited in a woman's lips and watched from the shadows of a frightened town!

Jim Slater's father (whom he never knew) died in the Apache ambush at Gila Valley, and Jim is searching for the one survivor, who supposedly went for help but disappeared with a lot of gold. In the process, he gets several people gunning for him, and he keeps meeting liberated woman Karyl Orton, who may be on a similar mission. Renewed Apache hostilities and an impending range war provide complications.

Release Date : 1956-03-14

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Universal International Pictures

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles : Backlash

Cast

Richard Widmark

Character Name : Jim Slater

Original Name : Richard Widmark

Gender : Male

Donna Reed

Character Name : Karyl Orton

Original Name : Donna Reed

Gender : Female

William Campbell

Character Name : Johnny Cool

Original Name : William Campbell

Gender : Male

John McIntire

Character Name : Jim Bonniwell / William Slater

Original Name : John McIntire

Gender : Male

Barton MacLane

Character Name : Sergeant George Lake

Original Name : Barton MacLane

Gender : Male

Harry Morgan

Character Name : Tony Welker

Original Name : Harry Morgan

Gender : Male

Robert J. Wilke

Character Name : Jeff Welker

Original Name : Robert J. Wilke

Gender : Male

Jack Lambert

Character Name : Benton

Original Name : Jack Lambert

Gender : Male

Roy Roberts

Character Name : Major Carson

Original Name : Roy Roberts

Gender : Male

Edward Platt

Character Name : Sheriff J.C. Marson

Original Name : Edward Platt

Gender : Male

Robert Foulk

Character Name : Sheriff John F. Olson

Original Name : Robert Foulk

Gender : Male

Phil Chambers

Character Name : Deputy Sheriff Dobbs

Original Name : Phil Chambers

Gender : Male

Gregg Barton

Character Name : Sleepy

Original Name : Gregg Barton

Gender : Male

Fred Graham

Character Name : Ned McCloud

Original Name : Fred Graham

Gender : Male

Frank Chase

Character Name : Cassidy

Original Name : Frank Chase

Gender : Male

Chris Alcaide

Character Name : Dick Lawrence (uncredited)

Original Name : Chris Alcaide

Gender : Male

Walter Beaver

Character Name : Little Willie (uncredited)

Original Name : Walter Beaver

Gender : Male

Wayne Burson

Character Name : Soldier (uncredited)

Original Name : Wayne Burson

Gender : Male

Johnny Carpenter

Character Name : Rider (uncredited)

Original Name : Johnny Carpenter

Gender : Male

I. Stanford Jolley

Character Name : Pot Luck (uncredited)

Original Name : I. Stanford Jolley

Gender : Male

Rex Lease

Character Name : Sergeant Blane (uncredited)

Original Name : Rex Lease

Gender : Male

Norman Leavitt

Character Name : Hotel Clerk (uncredited)

Original Name : Norman Leavitt

Gender : Male

John Maxwell

Character Name : Colonel Welnick (uncredited)

Original Name : John Maxwell

Gender : Male

John McKee

Character Name : Harry, Deputy (uncredited)

Original Name : John McKee

Gender : Male

Regis Parton

Character Name : Deputy Sheriff Tom Welker (uncredited)

Original Name : Regis Parton

Gender : Male

George Patterson

Character Name : Townsman (uncredited)

Original Name : George Patterson

Gender : Male

William Phillips

Character Name : Rebel, the Bartender (uncredited)

Original Name : William Phillips

Gender : Male

Lee Roberts

Character Name : Fresno, Bonniwell Henchman (uncredited)

Original Name : Lee Roberts

Gender : Male

Glenn Strange

Character Name : Milliken, Stage Driver (uncredited)

Original Name : Glenn Strange

Gender : Male

Jack Williams

Character Name : Castro (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Williams

Gender : Male

Reviews

J

John Chard

@John Chard

2024-05-16

There's things a man has to know and has to do, and it's best that he does them alone. Backlash (1956) is directed by John Sturges and adapted by Borden Chase from the novel written by Frank Gruber. It stars Richard Widmark, Donna Reed, John McIntire & William Campbell. It's shot in Technicolor by Irving Glassberg on location in Tuscon, Arizona. 1870 Arizona, and Jim Slater (Widmark) is searching for the truth about what happened to his father during the Apache ambush at Gila Valley. This brings him into contact with strong willed Karyl Orton (Reed), who courtesy of her missing husband also has an interest in the events of that raid. Missing family members and missing gold, the can is now open and worms are pouring out every where. It's about the writing and the characters here. From the off it should be known that this is no high octane actioner. We are dealing in a mystery, with what amounts to a detective story played out in a Western theme. It's a touch unusual but never less than interesting as Chases' unconventional script gives birth to a myriad of characters, some complex, others just stock genre story fleshers. There's some clichés spliced within the piece, but they are off set by some nice twists in the story. And while this is no Anthony Mann/Borden Chase psychologically tinted production, it doesn't cop out with its big decisions. Glassberg's cinematography is first class, really vibrant and bursting out from the screen as they nicely film it on location of where the story is set. The cast is real strong. Widmark is excellent as the tough as nails hero and Reed looks stunning whilst neatly essaying a prickly femme fatale type. McIntire gives another classy supporting turn and Campbell is enjoyably OTT as hothead gunslinger Johnny Cool. The principals have all done far better work in the genre, but this is a nice change of pace for all of them. It's unlikely to raise the pulses of the action seeking fan, but for those of a more literary persuasion this should hit the spot. 7/10