Hell River

1974 film

1974 (1974)

CountryYugoslaviaLanguageEnglishBudget$2 million^[1]

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.

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 Brka
Peter Carsten as Col. Henke
Olivera Katarina as Mila
Branko Pleša as Brig. 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

^ ^a ^b 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.