The Desperados ** (1969, Vince Edwards, Sylvia Syms, Benjamin Edney, Jack Palance, Sheila Burrell, George Maharis, Kate O’Mara, Christian Roberts) – Classic Movie Review 11,810

Director Henry Levin’s generic but tolerable 1969 American Technicolor 35 mm US Civil War paella Western film The Desperados stars Vince Edwards, Sylvia Syms, Benjamin Edney, Jack Palance, Sheila Burrell, George Maharis, Kate O’Mara, and Christian Roberts. It was shot in Spain around May 1968 in Almería, Andalucía; and Madrid, hence a clutch of British actors.

Jack Palance is the eager-to-please star of the show as ruthless preacher Parson Josiah Galt, who leads a band of US Southern marauders that includes his sons, David (Vince Edwards), Adam (Christian Roberts) and Jacob (George Maharis) during the American Civil War. David goes straight and relocates to Texas under a false name with his wife Laura (Sylvia Syms) and son Pauly (Benjamin Edney).

The stunts, action and handling are all good, better than the story by Clarke Reynolds or screenplay by Walter Brough, though even so they are quite robust and serviceable.

The cast are Vince Edwards as David Galt/ Gant, Sylvia Syms as Laura Gant, Benjamin Edney as Pauly Gant, Jack Palance as Parson Josiah Galt, Sheila Burrell as Emily Galt, George Maharis as Jacob Galt, Kate O’Mara as Jacob’s girl Adah, Christian Roberts as Adam Galt, Kenneth Cope as Carlin, Patrick Holt as Haller, Christopher Malcolm as Gregg, John Clark as Todd, Neville Brand as Marshal Kilpatrick, John Paul as Sheriff Lacey, David Thomson as Deputy Tate, and Elliott Sullivan as Jennison.

Christian Roberts (born 17 March 1944) is best remembered for his film debut role as the rebellious Denham in the 1967 film To Sir, with Love starring Sidney Poitier and Judy Geeson. His other films include Twisted Nerve (1968), The Anniversary (1968), The Desperados (1969), The Adventurers (1970), The Mind of Mr Soames (1970) and The Last Valley (1971) starring Michael Caine and Omar Sharif.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,810

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com