Hell River
Hell River, also known as Partisans (Serbo-Croatian: Partizani / Партизани) and The Last Guerilla, is a 1974 Yugoslav partisan film starring Rod Taylor as a Yugoslav raised in America who returns home to fight the Germans as a Partisan in World War II. Adam West plays a German officer.
| Hell River | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Stole Jankovic |
| Produced by | Ika Panajotovic |
| Written by | Stole Jankovic |
| Starring | Rod Taylor Adam West Xenia Gratsos Bata Živojinović |
Release date |
|
| Country | Yugoslavia |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2 million[1] |
The film was shot on location in Yugoslavia, and claims to be based on a true story. There are several versions, including an original three-hour cut made for Yugoslavian television, and a feature-length version for the American market. Rod Taylor was involved in rewriting and shooting some additional scenes during post production.[1]
Cast
- Rod Taylor as Marko
- Adam West as Capt. Kurt Kohler
- Brioni Farrell as Anna Kleitz
- Bata Živojinović as Braka
- Peter Carsten as Col. Henke
- Olivera Katarina as Mila
- Branko Pleša as Gen. Steiger
- Marinko Šebez as Sele
- Janez Vrhovec as Col. Hoffmann
- Dragomir Felba as Chicha
- Gizela Vuković as Woman Mayor
- Cane Firaunović as Lt. Schuler
- Jovan Janićijević as Machek
- Dragomir Čumić as Partisan (uncredited)
- Dragomir Stanojevic as German (uncredited)
- Zoran Stojiljković as German Officer (uncredited)
- Predrag Milinković as Jewish Refugee (uncredited)
Notes
The producer, Ika Panajotovic, was a lawyer and former tennis player who represented Yugoslavia in the Davis Cup and reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon.[2]
Footage from Hell River was used in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, reedited to feature Leonardo Dicaprio.
References
- Stephen Vagg, Rod Taylor: An Aussie in Hollywood, Bear Manor Media 2010 p 179-183.
- "Ilija "Ika" Panajotovic's Obituary on Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times.