The Hellbenders (1967)
Sergio Corbucci's darkly compelling spaghetti western about a Confederate fanatic smuggling stolen gold in a coffin to resurrect a lost cause.
The Hellbenders - Movie Information
- Original Title: I crudeli
- Release Year: 1967
- Directed by: Sergio Corbucci
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Western
- Runtime: 1h 30m
- Original Language: Italian
- Spoken Languages: Italian
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 2, 1967 (France), February 14, 1968 (Germany), June 20, 1968 (Mexico), February 2, 1967 (Italy), November 6, 1967 (Spain)
- Alternative Titles: Os Cruéis (BR), Les Cruels (FR), The Cruel Ones (US), Los despiadados (ES), I crudeli (IT)
- Production Companies: Alba Cinematografica, Tecisa Film, Productores Exhibidores Films Sociedad Anónima (PEFSA)
- Production Countries: Italy, Spain
The Hellbenders - Plot
A Southern Colonel, his three sons, and a card shark embark on an odyssey through the Southwest carrying a coffin full of stolen money with which the Colonel plans to revive the Confederacy.
The Hellbenders - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the treacherous journey unfold:
A coffin without a corpse... crammed with millions in cash!
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The Hellbenders - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Sergio Corbucci
Main Cast
- Joseph Cotten
- Norma Bengell
- Aldo Sambrell
- Al Mulock
- Julián Mateos
- Gino Pernice
- Giovanni Ivan Scratuglia
- Ángel Aranda
- Julio Peña
- Claudio Gora
Writers
- José Gutiérrez Maesso
- Ugo Liberatore
- Albert Band
Producers
- Albert Band
The Hellbenders - FAQs
What is the coffin used for in The Hellbenders?
In The Hellbenders, the coffin is a clever disguise used to conceal a fortune in stolen Union money. Colonel Jonas and his sons transport it across the Southwest under the pretense of carrying a corpse, hoping to avoid suspicion while funding their plan to revive the Confederacy.
Who directed The Hellbenders?
The Hellbenders was directed by Sergio Corbucci, one of the most celebrated filmmakers of the spaghetti western genre. Corbucci is also known for directing Django (1966) and The Great Silence (1968), and The Hellbenders stands as one of his more politically charged and darkly compelling works.
Where can I stream The Hellbenders?
The Hellbenders is available on multiple platforms. Free ad-supported options include The Roku Channel, Tubi TV, Plex, and Fawesome. It can also be streamed free on Kanopy, FlixHouse, Plex Channel, Darkroom, and Artiflix. Paid rental and purchase options are available on Amazon Video and FlixFling.
Who are the main actors in The Hellbenders?
The Hellbenders stars Joseph Cotten as the fanatical Colonel Jonas, alongside Norma Bengell, Aldo Sambrell, Al Mulock, and Julián Mateos. The cast also includes Gino Pernice, Ángel Aranda, Julio Peña, Claudio Gora, and Giovanni Ivan Scratuglia in supporting roles.
Is The Hellbenders based on a true story?
The Hellbenders is not based on a specific true story. It is an original fictional narrative written by José Gutiérrez Maesso, Ugo Liberatore, and Albert Band. However, the film draws on the real historical context of post-Civil War Confederacy nostalgia and the chaos of the Reconstruction era American Southwest.
What is The Hellbenders about?
The Hellbenders follows a fanatical Confederate colonel who, refusing to accept the South's defeat, steals a fortune in Union money and hides it in a coffin. Traveling with his ruthless sons and a card shark, he plots to use the funds to reignite the Confederacy, facing mounting danger along the way.
Who composed the music for The Hellbenders?
The score for The Hellbenders was composed by Ennio Morricone, the legendary Italian composer whose music became synonymous with the spaghetti western genre. His work on this film complements the tense, morally ambiguous atmosphere that director Sergio Corbucci crafted throughout the story.
What are similar movies to The Hellbenders?
Fans of The Hellbenders may enjoy Django (1966), Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966), A Fistful of Dollars (1964), The Big Gundown (1967), Duck, You Sucker (1971), Beyond the Law (1968), and Boot Hill (1969) — all classic entries in the spaghetti western tradition.
More About The Hellbenders
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