The Hellions

First saw it on screen 1963-64. Then later on ITV/BBC mid 70s. Enjoyed it more than High Noon - obviously has a similar plot. I remember the names of the sons Matthew, Jubo ?, Mark, Luke and John I think. Although I was 11 when I saw it it certainly stood apart from any other film I saw at that time. I think it was the combination of fine acting by Jeffreys and James Booth and to a lesser extent by Richard Todd. The entire score song sung by Marty Wilde remains registered on my memory. It deserves to go on DVD and to be viewed by younger audiences again on TV. I am not sure if other people share this view but 1960s vintage films were superior on average to what has been produced since - particularly compared to the past 20 years. One further comment - why are there no black artists in this film. The fact that it was based in South Africa was not disguised yet we only see white faces on screen. Is this possibly a reason why the film was not more widely distributed. Aparthid applied to a western film ?.

I can't remember where I saw "The Hellions" but I know I was an early teenager back then. I also know I thought it was a great sort of western settled in small town in South Africa where a mean old men and his nasty four sons arrive and start abusing the locals. The place's lawman searchs for help among the town's men to deal with the menace (in a sort of "High Noon" style) but he was left alone.

Lionel Jeffries played the old man and he was very good as a villain in an uncommon role for him (he was usually casted in comedies or serious characters but rarely as a villain). James Booth played his older son Jubal (as mean and devilish as his father) and Richard Todd was the lawman in a blue uniform jacket.

I haven't seen this film ever since (not on theatres, TV, VHS or DVD) and people I usually talk about movies with don't even heard of it except for a cousin of mine that agrees it was a very good one.

As for me, I'll keep looking for it because I enjoyed it very much but also because I would like to have an adult view on it. One thing is for sure: if "The Hellions" is half as good as I can remember it will still be a little classic.

I recall seeing The Hellions on TV some 30 years ago (I think). It was like most of our Westerns, Hign Noon or My Darling Clementine best comes to mind. Yet it is different for it reminded me that there were other countries outside of the US that shared similar themes as our westerns. Richard Todd is good but a little wooden and unemotional. The brothers are weird but terrifying and so is Lionel Jefferies. The thing I recall with the greatest fondness are the opening lines of the theme song. "Here they come and may they soon be gone: Matthew, Jubal, Mark and Luke and John." Too bad the movie has not been shown for so long. Should be on DVD.

As with previous posts I agree that Lionel Jeffries was superb in this role playing a part far removed from what we are used to from him. James Booth also good, These were two of the 'baddies' and as such had strong roles. Richard Todd gave a good restrained performance in the leading role. Directed by Ken Annakin, one of my all time favourite directors, or at least partly directed by him. In his autobiography he reveals that well into the filming he was taken quite seriously ill and the remainder of the film was directed by Harold Huth and Clive Reed. Ken had given the cast 'carte blanche' to play the film as a tongue in cheek spoof and most were up to it but the rest of the film was directed with everyone playing straight. The critics panned the film for being 'uneven' - they knew nothing of Ken's illness. Ken also states that 'Irwin Allen's(the producer)girlfriend played the female lead - the less said about her the better' He doesn't elaborate Fortunately he recovered fully after his long illness and is still alive well into his 90s. I have just received a DVD of the film and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I have been searching for this movie for many years. I first saw it when it was originally released and was more than impressed. Somehow the casting director put together a group of actors who had 'the right chemistry' and the film turned out to be exceptionally good. For Western lovers all the right ingredients are there (except for the quick draw) and the film builds to a tense climax. I really want to see this movie again and would love to add it to my collection. Lionel Jeffries is brilliant as Luke Billings!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.