''Desperado'' is a series of five Western television films starring Alex McArthur as the honest cowboy, Duell McCall, beginning with the 1987 installment also titled ''Desperado'' and directed by

Virgil W. Vogel Virgil William Vogel (November 29, 1919 – January 1, 1996) was an American television director, television and film director. His career spanned nearly sixty years, directing episodes of ''Wagon Train'', ''Bonanza'', ''The Big Valley'', and ' ...

. Throughout the film series, McCall is "a man of principle who roams the West of yesteryear helping people in trouble while struggling to get himself out of trouble—clearing himself of a false murder charge". McCall's quest centers on "searching for a witness who can prove his innocence".Douglas Brode, ''Shooting Stars of the Small Screen: Encyclopedia of TV Western Actors (1946–Present)'' (2010), p. 216-17. The first TV movie was originally intended to serve as the

pilot An aircraft pilot or aviator is a person who controls the flight of an aircraft by operating its directional flight controls. Some other aircrew members, such as navigators or flight engineers, are also considered aviators, because they a ...

for a weekly TV series, but the series did not materialize, and the film instead had four TV movie sequels, also starring McArthur as McCall. The title was inspired by the 1973

Eagles Eagle is the common name for many large birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of genera, some of which are closely related. Most of the 68 species of eagle are from Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just ...

song ''

Desperado Desperado may refer to: * Outlaw, particularly in the American Old West Books * ''Desperadoes'' (comics), a comic book series * ''Desperadoes'' (novel), a 1979 novel by Ron Hansen * Desperado Publishing, an American independent comic book publ ...

'', which also served as the theme music for the series, performed by

Don Henley Donald Hugh Henley (born July 22, 1947) is an American musician and a founding member of the rock band Eagles. He is the drummer and one of the lead singers for the Eagles. Henley sang the lead vocals on Eagles hits such as "Witchy Woman", "Despe ...

.Walter Mirisch, ''I Thought We Were Making Movies, Not History'' (2008), p. 372-74.

''Desperado'' (April 27, 1987)

In the first film, McCall "finds himself caught in the middle of a deadly feud in a frontier mining town", and falling in love with a local girl named Nora, played by

Lise Cutter Lise Cutter (born July 31, 1959) is an American actress who is known for her roles as Susan Campbell on '' Perfect Strangers'', and as Gina McKay on '' Dangerous Curves''. Filmography Film Television External links * {{DEFAULTSORT:Cu ...

. The original screenplay was written by

Elmore Leonard Elmore John Leonard Jr. (October 11, 1925August 20, 2013) was an American novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter. His earliest novels, published in the 1950s, were Westerns, but he went on to specialize in crime fiction and suspense thri ...

, who, with

Walter Mirisch Walter Mortimer Mirisch (born November 8, 1921) is an American film producer. He is president and executive head of production of The Mirisch Corporation, an independent film production company, which he formed in 1957 with his brother Marvin ...

, convinced Brandon Tartikoff of NBC to finance the project. The film was produced by Mirisch's son Drew, who initially hired John Byrum to direct, but Byrum agreed to withdraw from the position when disharmony arose over the work he was producing. Virgil W. Vogel was then brought in to direct, and helmed the project to completion. Although the film received "excellent notices and ratings", NBC declined to pick up it up as a series, preferring to order additional 2-hour TV movies continuing the story of the original.

''The Return of Desperado'' (February 15, 1988)

The second film centered on McCall dealing with "a crooked sheriff committing crimes and blaming others". After the second film broadcast, NBC sought to implement a series after all, but by that time, the contract obligating McArthur for a weekly series had expired. The actor, whose star was on the rise, was no longer interested in being "tied up to a weekly series". NBC then ordered two additional TV movies.

''Desperado: Avalanche at Devil's Ridge'' (May 24, 1988)

The third film centered on a character portrayed by

Rod Steiger Rodney Stephen Steiger (; April 14, 1925July 9, 2002, aged 77) was an American actor, noted for his portrayal of offbeat, often volatile and crazed characters. Cited as "one of Hollywood's most charismatic and dynamic stars," he is closely assoc ...

, playing "a desperate man who forces McCall to rescue his kidnapped daughter".

''Desperado: The Outlaw Wars'' (October 10, 1989)

In the fourth film, McCall "learns that he has fathered a son with Nora", and encounters " Richard Farnsworth as a serious-minded lawman, nd James Remar as a cold-blooded killer".

''Desperado: Badlands Justice'' (December 17, 1989)

By the end of ''Badlands Justice'', McCall had still not been able to clear his name, leading critics to anticipate further installments resolving this issue; however, no more of the films were made.F. Maurice Speed, James Cameron-Wilson, ''Film Review'' (1990), p. 129. Universal opted to end the series at this time, because "having a backlog of five of these films, for foreign distribution was about as far extended if they wanted to be".

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Desperado Film Series 1980s American television miniseries 1980s Western (genre) television series 1987 American television series debuts 1989 American television series endings