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.
Director
John Sturges
Starring
Richard Widmark, Donna Reed, William Campbell
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
Starz Apple TV Channel
1 country
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
John Sturges →
Year context
Backlash was released 70 years ago in 1956.
Backlash is a Western film with a runtime of 1h 24m.
CAST (20)
Richard Widmark
Jim Slater
Donna Reed
Karyl Orton
William Campbell
Johnny Cool
John McIntire
Jim Bonniwell / William Slater
Barton MacLane
Sergeant George Lake
Harry Morgan
Tony Welker
Robert J. Wilke
Jeff Welker
Jack Lambert
Benton
Roy Roberts
Major Carson
Edward Platt
Sheriff J.C. Marson
Robert Foulk
Sheriff John F. Olson
Phil Chambers
Deputy Sheriff Dobbs
Gregg Barton
Sleepy
Fred Graham
Ned McCloud
Frank Chase
Cassidy
Chris Alcaide
Dick Lawrence (uncredited)
WB
Walter Beaver
Little Willie (uncredited)
WB
Wayne Burson
Soldier (uncredited)
Johnny Carpenter
Rider (uncredited)
I. Stanford Jolley
Pot Luck (uncredited)
CREW
Director
Writer
BOX OFFICE
$1.0M
Budget
STUDIOS (1)
DETAILS
Release
Status
Released
Runtime
84 min (1h 24m)
Language
English
Country
Rating
6.5/10 (50 votes)
Popularity
4
Budget
$1,025,000
IMDB
Trailer
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Backlash about?
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.
How long is Backlash?
Backlash has a runtime of 84 minutes (1h 24m).
Who directed Backlash?
Backlash was directed by John Sturges.
Who stars in Backlash?
The cast of Backlash includes Richard Widmark, Donna Reed, William Campbell, John McIntire, Barton MacLane.
What is the rating of Backlash?
Backlash has a rating of 6.5 out of 10 based on 50 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (1)
Western
KEYWORDS (5)
based on novel or book
search
apache nation
native american
gunfight