Hell River Explained

Hell River, also known as Partisans (Partizani|separator=" / "|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.

External links

• • • Hell River at the Rod Taylor Site

Notes and References

1. Stephen Vagg, Rod Taylor: An Aussie in Hollywood, Bear Manor Media 2010 p 179-183.
2. Web site: Ilija "Ika" Panajotovic's Obituary on Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times.