A United States Army cavalry unit returns from a two-week patrol to find the inhabitants of a Christian mission near its home fort have been killed by Apache Indians. The savagely tortured wife of the patrol’s leader, Captain Victor Kaleb, is still alive after being skinned alive. Kaleb has to kill her to end her pain.
Kaleb believes part of the fault lies with the passive fort commander, Major Wade Brown, and loudly criticizes him in front of his command. Brown responds by asking whether it was the Apaches or him who shot his wife. Kaleb responds by shooting Major Brown in the leg and arm, then deserts. He wages a private one-man war of revenge against the Apache.
Two years later, General Miles arrives at the fort with criticism of now Colonel Brown’s military command and an offer of pardon for Kaleb. Scouts Natchai and Tattinger, old friends of Kaleb, are sent out to entice him (and his pet wolf-dog) back to the fort. With a bit of trickery they succeed.
General Miles tells Kaleb that Apaches led by Chief Mangus Durango have gathered in Mexico, intending to cross the border and attack at any time. As the Army is prohibited from entering Mexico, the general, over Brown’s objections, promises Kaleb amnesty in exchange for leading a select band of soldiers in plain clothes across the border to wipe out the Apache stronghold known as La Spina Dorsale Del Diavolo (the Devil’s Backbone).
In a reversal of The Dirty Dozen, Kaleb has his pick of the soldiers at the fort for his mission. Those willing to go include dynamite expert and Army chaplain Reynolds, knife-fighting expert and military prisoner Corporal Jackson, Gatling gun expert Captain Robinson, grizzled Quartermaster Sergeant Schmidt and young Lieutenant Ferguson. A blustery Englishman, Crawford, sent by the British Army to study frontier tactics is selected by Kaleb’s wolf dog. Kaleb also selects the post’s surgeon Dr. Robinson. Most of the men hate Kaleb, especially Trooper O’Toole.
They infiltrate the Apache stronghold by bringing their mounts and equipment up hazardous cliffs. After a successful smaller attack on part of the Apaches, due to one man’s sense of morality the rest of the Apaches are alerted, leading to a fierce battle. Kaleb’s elite force wins, in large part due to the advantages proffered by dynamite and machine gun fire. The survivors return to the fort, where an embarrassed General Miles explains that he has been ordered to arrest Kaleb. Colonel Brown suggests the resolution: they will all say Kaleb was killed in action. Kaleb rides away.
Experience the thrilling tale of revenge and redemption in “The Devil’s Backbone.” Watch the full movie online now to witness the epic journey of Captain Victor Kaleb and his elite team as they face off against the Apache stronghold. Don’t miss out on this action-packed adventure!