Introduction

Hell River (also known as Partisans (Serbo-Croatian: Partizani / Партизани), Tactical Guerrilla, and The Last Guerrilla) 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.

Outline

Partisans in Yugoslavia clash with the Germans that have invaded their homeland in several confrontations until the climactic battle at Hell River.

Trivia

• 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.
• Footage from Hell River was used in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, reedited to feature Leonardo Dicaprio.
• Adam West (Batman) 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.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s): Stole Jankovic.
• Producer(s): Ika Panajotovic.
• Writer(s): Stole Jankovic.
• Music: Vojislav Borisavljevic.
• Cinematography: Bozidar Miletic.
• Editor(s): Michael Economou and Ivanka Vukasovic.
• Release Date: December 1978 (US).
• Running Time: 102 minutes.
• Country: Yugoslavia, USA, and Liechenstein.
• Language: English and Serbo-Croatian.