Backlash (1956): cast, story & where to watch
1956 · Film · ★ 6.3
Released in 1956, Backlash is a western film directed by John Sturges, running about 84 minutes. “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!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s 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.
Who’s in it. Backlash stars Richard Widmark as Jim Slater, Donna Reed as Karyl Orton, William Campbell as Johnny Cool and John McIntire as Jim Bonniwell / William Slater, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.3/10, Backlash has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Backlash page.
If you liked it. Fans of Backlash tend to enjoy The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Django Unchained, Once Upon a Time in the West and For a Few Dollars More.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Backlash (1956)?
- In US, Backlash is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Backlash worth watching?
- Backlash holds an audience score of 6.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy western. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Backlash?
- Backlash stars Richard Widmark, Donna Reed, William Campbell, John McIntire and Barton MacLane.
- When was Backlash released?
- Backlash was released in 1956, with a runtime of about 84 minutes.