The Desperados (1969)

Jack Palance plays Josiah Galt, leader of a band of Confederate guerillas that includes his three sons — David, Jacob and Adam.

Though dressed in Confederate uniforms, his men seemed as interested in looting, raping and pillaging as in advancing the Southern cause.

During a particularly violent raid, David (Vince Edwards) realizes the error of his ways, saves a woman’s life and kills a comrade in the process.

Sentenced to death by his father, he escapes and starts a quiet life running a Texas ranch under a new name (Gant) with his wife (Sylvia Syms as Laura) and young son (Pauly).

But sure enough, Galt’s gang shows up in Texas. Rather than wait for the inevitable, David decides to pretend to want to rejoin the gang in hope of foiling their efforts.

He has the help of the local marshal (Neville Brand), who knows his real identity. But he’s also haunted by his mother’s death-bed prophecy — that the family’s blood is tainted and they will all wind up killing one another.

As much as he despises the path his father and brothers have taken, that’s something David doesn’t want.

Vince Edwards as David Galt in The Desperados (1969)

Jack Palance as Josiah Galt in The Desperados (1969)

Review:

The film opens with Galt leading a raid on a town called St. Thomas, Kansas, clearly intended as a recreation of William Quantrill’s raid of Lawrence, Kansas, during the Civil War.

Unfortunately, Jack Palance is at his over-the-top worst in this role, and the film seems to adopt its tone from his hysterical performance.

There are a couple of decently filmed action scenes, but absolutely nothing to balance Palance’s performance.

Subpar performances by an overweight Neville Brand and top-billed Vince Edwards, who had recently completed his run as star of the hit TV show “Ben Casey,” don’t help.

Then there’s the silly final scene in which young Pauly seems totally unaffected by what he’s just witnessed. This Western is a misfire all the way around.

Christian Roberts as Adam Galt with his brother Jacob (George Maharis) in The Desperados (1969)

Sylvia Syms as Laura Galt in The Desperados (1969)

Directed by:
Henry Levin

Cast:
Vince Edwards … David Galt / Gant
Sylvia Syms … Laura Galt / Gant
Benjamin Edney … Pauly Galt / Gant (David’s son)
Jack Palance … Josiah Galt
Sheila Burrell … Emily Galt
George Maharis … Jacob Galt
Christian Roberts … Adam Galt
Kate O’Mara … Adah
Kenneth Cope … Carlin
Patrick Holt … Haller
Christopher Malcolm … Gregg
John Clark … Todd
Neville Brand … Marshal Kilpatrick
John Paul … Sheriff Lacey
David Thomson … Deputy Tate
Elliott Sullivan … Jennison

Runtime: 91 min.

Neville Brand as Marshal Kilpatrick in The Desperados (1969)

Kate O’Mara as Adah in The Desperados (1969)

Memorable lines:

David Gault to his father Josiah: “We’re not soldiers. We’re animals. Nothing more. We proved that at St. Thomas.”

Carlin, who supplies women and information to Galt’s desperados, upon breaking up a catfight: “I must apologize for this behavior from my creatures.”
Josiah Galt: “They’re not here to fight!”

Kenneth Cope as Carlin in The Desperados (1969)

John Paul as Sheriff Lacey in The Desperados (1969)

Adam Galt, after a bank job goes wrong: “Well, I be damned! Well, I be damned!”

Josiah Galt, swearing vengeance on David: “No more shall he return to his house. No more shall his child know him again!”

Josiah Galt, trying to lure Pauly out of his hiding place: “You know, boy … you don’t know. But listen, there’s spiders and lizards and snakes just crawling around up there, boy. Crawling around your feet … And they’re gonna get you.”

Benjamin Edney as Pauly Galt and Sylvia Syms as his mother Laura face trouble in The Desperados (1969)

Vince Edwards as David Galt faces an angry town mob in The Desperados (1969)