Geronimo: An American Legend

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Geronimo: An American Legend

Echoes of John Ford westerns and 'Lawrence of Arabia' abound, both visually and thematically, in this gripping character study of the relentlessly proud Apache. A career high for Walter Hill and John Milius, this is also an excellent introduction to the ambiguous nature of the Indian Wars, where even the Indian heroes are guilty of killing unarmed men. Wes Studi and Robert Duvall give outstanding performances.

Brig. Gen. George Crook (Gene Hackman) leads a war on the Chiricahua to bring them to their reservation. Geronimo (Wes Studi) agrees to go in peace. Lt. Britton Davis (Matt Damon) is new from Texas. He accompanies Lt. Charles Gatewood (Jason Patric) to go bring Geronimo in. Gatewood befriends Geronimo. Al Sieber (Robert Duvall) is a scout with a proper hatred and respect for the enemy Apache. The army tries to stop a medicine man dancing and a violent incident results. Geronimo escapes the reservation with a group of Apache. That's when the Geronimo Campaign begins. It's a historical drama without the overdramatization that normally accompanies westerns. There are no easy villains in this. The circumstances keep conspiring to force the groups to clash. There are great actors in this. Most impressive is Wes Studi. His presence makes Geronimo come alive.

As others have said, this is an excellent example of a revisionist Western, successful both as a 'quest' film and as history. Despite minor examples of the invariable desire of film-makers to embellish events (Al Sieber in fact died years later when a rock rolled on him while he was clearing a road) this is as close as you'll get to a historically and visually accurate movie account of the pursuit of Geronimo.

IN I993 I had my first viewing of this great film. I was proud to see how the story of the apache was displayed and the harsh treatment they suffered and all they lost.I feel the truth was shown in this film.I am part native American myself.I was especially interested.My friends and I saw the film together and I must say at the end when they are on the train to Florida after Geronimo's final surrender all of us were stunned.It was one of the most powerfully emotional scenes I have ever viewed.some people cried,and the emotions in the theatre were so sad.Geronimo's final words moved me and I remember "No one knows why the One God let the white eye take our land."this is to never be answered and gone forever.I was haunted for years after this film.

This underrated Western (in Germany Hills picture disappears after one week from the cinema) convinces with an excellent script (I realize again, John Milius is much better in writing as directing), a stunning photography and outstanding performances of the lead characters. Studi is great, a wonderful study of pride and his understanding that he never can win his war against white men. Especially this poetic and realistic movie is by comparison with other Indian sagas not a fairy tale from far west. Hill tells the truth and so we see only desperate people and no heroes - on both sides. Great - a must see for fans. I give 8 out of 10 stars.

'Let's start with this: All written history is revisionist. The actual events are revisited and revised in the perspective of the "re-visitor." That said, this remarkably well written, well acted, and generally well executed movie is likely the best account of the "Geronimo Campaign" out there. Head and shoulders above much of the other junk out there about this important American figure. It is, to boot, beautifully filmed and deftly directed. And the narrative approach worked perfectly with this subject. Well worth a couple of viewing hours by anyone who sincerely wants to know what was up with all that.'

One of the many films which are overlooked, the stark portrayal of the American Army couldn't have been more refreshing. While we are constantly exposed to the goodness of our forefathers, at least this film proved to be a little diligent to a true portrayal. Anyway, this film was excellent in the scope of its cinematography, scope and powerful script. Sadly, while Jason Patric has done little to enhance his career since this film, at least he shined for a few short moments, particularly in this movie. Wes Studi's performance as Geronimo was superb, adding depth to the legend which few people have only heard about through old wives tales and abridged history books. Robert Duvall and Gene Hackman were both excellent in this film. I also felt Matt Damon was excellent in this film, further giving precedence to the idea of him being a superior actor to his terrible actor-friend in Ben Affleck. A Truly excellent movie.