Die Söhne der großen Bärin

The western genre had made its way to Europe in the '60s, as seen in the spaghetti westerns. Lesser known are the westerns that came from the Soviet bloc, sometimes called easterns (or Ostern). One of the most famous examples is Josef Mach's East German movie "Die Söhne der großen Bärin" ("The Sons of Great Bear" in English). We in the United States are used to seeing everyone in westerns speak English, even in the Italian westerns. Mach's movie turns the genre on its head, with every character speaking German, including the Indians. Picture it: American Indians, living in a village of tepees, all sound more like professors in a Berlin university.

The movie was no doubt intended as a sort of propaganda piece. The positive depiction of American Indians was in stark contrast to the John Wayne movies, and so the movie was indirectly denouncing the US. Star Gojko Mitić played Indians in a number of other DEFA movies, and became known as the most famous Indian in Eastern Europe, and even received an honorary title from the Ojibwa.

Anyway, it's a pretty impressive movie. A little bit laughable, but pretty fun.

Tokei-ihto rides to Fort Smith for negotiations between Indians and white men, although he does not trust "Red Fox" Clark who introduced the natives to drinking and gambling. He even killed Tokei-ihto's father. Tokei-ihto is taken prisoner after he refused to sign a contract, but he escapes. Finding a peaceful land for themselves is a long and dangerous mission for Tokei-ihto's tribe. They are crossing the Missouri river while Tokei-ihto stays behind for a duel against Red Fox.

This was the first East German western production starring Gojko Mitic. The Yugoslavian actor had gained experience as a stuntman and played small parts alongside Pierre Brice in 3 West German Karl May films. Other actors only pretend they did all stunts themselves - Mitic really did everything himself, which contributed to his fame. "Die Söhne der großen Bärin" was his first main role in a western and an immediate huge success. Mitic recalled in a TV interview recently that it was watched by 10 million people, more than half of the entire population of the GDR! 40 years later, it seems a bit slow moving, a bit too traditional, whereas later DEFA productions had defined a style of their own more clearly. Still good entertainment if you don't mind men with wigs ;-)

Western. A screen adaptation of several adventure novels by German writer Liselotte Welskopf-Heinrich, which I have not read and am not going to do. And, concurrently, the first serious role of the famous Yugoslav actor Gojko Mitic, which gave rise to a whole line of films, where he plays the role of a "noble savage", consisting of twelve pieces that I intend to watch (and revise), and write on each of them review, which I will do in the near future. The task will not be easy, but since I have mastered ten masterpieces of the great Chaplin, then Goiko Mitic is simply obliged, because I love westerns, and I already checked out the "dollar trilogy" of Sergio Leone with the magnificent Clint Eastwood more than a year ago, well and now it's the turn of westerns, which I myself really love, and they were loved and continue to be loved by all the inhabitants of the former Soviet Union, who were still children during the years when Goiko Mitic's paintings were released. And the first in turn, in chronological order, was the painting "Sons of the Big Dipper", which I had not seen in my time, but now I was able to appreciate, and here is my brief opinion - the first serious role. There are no drawbacks to the picture, but there are clarifications, which I will mention in a separate paragraph, but for now, let me focus your attention on the merits of this picture. So, here they are: 1. The story told - the picture tells about the misadventures of the Indian Tokei-Ito, played by Goyko Mitich, and about his Dakota tribe, which greedy and insidious Americans drive from their native land to the reservation, where only pain, misfortune and death await them. Tokei-Ito as she can resist this, looking for allies in the face of neighboring tribes and among the pale-faced. He does not become a bloodthirsty fanatic, although his father died at the hands of the pale-faced, he is reasonable, uses force only if there is no other way out. The script of the picture did not go far from real historical events, in life it was much more terrible and bloodier. The Indians are shown here exclusively from the best side, although in life it was not so, but the pale-faced are both insidious and greedy villains, crooks and scoundrels, and honest and noble people who try to help the Indians. All the ingredients of a good western are here, and the script is well written. You will not find revelations here, especially those who understand this topic, but for an artistic picture it is quite good. The ending is predictable, although it does not evoke emotions. 2. Fights, chases, shootouts - Western as it is, and although there are quite a few shootings and chases here, they evoke emotions in the viewer, we all take the side of the brave Tokeyi-Ito, who is opposing many enemies and bravely fighting for his home. The only fights that turned out to be spectacular here were that they were well staged and filmed. 3. Landscapes - the picture was filmed in Yugoslavia, where nature is very similar to the Wild West, and this was the right decision, because I did not feel the substitution. Prairies, beautiful and alluring mountains, forests, streams, wigwams - everything is saturated with the spirit of the Wild West and Indians. The operator was good at choosing the best shots, for which special thanks to him! 4. Costumes, decorations - there are very few of them here, especially decorations, but my tongue will not turn to say that it strains or even hinders. The creators were able to fill this set with history and dynamics, thanks to which the viewer does not feel deceived. The costumes took much longer, especially the traditional Indian clothing, and in particular the headdress with many feathers. A little about the main characters: 1.Tokei-Ito performed by Goiko Mitich is a warrior of the Dakota tribe, a noble, brave, honest leader, ready to sacrifice everything for the sake of his people. He shows himself as a skillful warrior who does not risk in vain both his life and the lives of his people. Goiko here practically does not express any emotions, and the type of the hero does not require this. He is always focused, because he is constantly waiting for a catch. Excellent performance of the role by the legendary Goiko Mitic. Bravo! 2. Tobias performed by Rolf Roemer is a tracker in the service of the American army, from the Delaware tribe, who were practically exterminated. Serves faithfully, but the internal throwing of the Indian is visible to the naked eye. As a result, he makes the only correct decision. Rolf managed to convey all the mood and the whole character of both the hero and the whole class of such "lost" Indians. Bravo! 3. Fred Clarke performed by Irji Vrstala - an insidious villain, hunting for gold, which is located on the land of the Dakota, intends to do away with Toki-Ito, whom he hates. Clever, cunning, but the ending of this individual is obvious and predictable. It should be admitted that the hero of Irdzhi does not arouse suspicion at first, but the deceit shown exposes him in all its glory. Irji played quite well. Well done. Of course, today the picture cannot provide a spectacle, because technology has jumped far ahead, but at one time there was everything, and in my childhood I myself loved to enjoy this line of paintings. And one melody is clearly out of place here, and strongly affects the perception. But, even in spite of this, the picture still looks, although it did not make a strong impression on me, I remember "The Trail of the Falcon" more, but more on this later. Well, next time we will see Goyko Mitich as Chingachgook the Big Snake in the film adaptation of Fenimore Cooper's novel "St. John's Wort", where the hero will again confront the pale-faced. As a result, we have a good western about a brave and noble Indian, with a good script, excellent costumes and decorations, dynamic pursuits, fights, shootings and excellent acting.

Let's try to write this review in style. I do not argue whether "Sons of Great Bear" (1966) by DEFA is great Movie or not. It's first in row from Gojko Mitic's franchise in Indian Films based mostly on writings by Liselotte Welskopf-Henrich. You can check in Wikipedia who that woman is. Despite some inconsistencies, she was true German from a beaten generation after the fall of Third Reich in Germany. I wouldn't buy talks that she was Communist because such was reality in those Cold War times. If you don't put your signature under collaborative statement you wouldn't be allowed to travel abroad. Thus you remain peasant and ignorant, period. I myself lived through those times and never was Communist.

Second thing about the Movie. Since I doubt whether Americans or other English speaking people have watched Gojko Mitic's films and I will reiterate again. Very successful spaghetti western with typical German stamina. The hero is Winnetou type undefeatable macho, imaging the noble but dyeing Indian heathen. In the final scene in battle of honor Tokei-Ihto kills his enemy Red Fox (the white, Fred Clark) then liquidates about 20 adversaries with single pistol and escapes. This is typical Karl May scenario and Liselotte Welskopf-Henrich was his staunch student. The chief Tokei-Ihto or "Stone Horn" is imaginary taken from Indian painting by George Catlin. But other Sioux chiefs like Tashunka Witko (Crazy Horse) and Tatanka Yotanka (Sitting Bull) are real personages. They were massacred in Nebraska during Wounded Knee Incident (1890). Sioux tribe was put in Black Hill reservation and a branch D(L)akota lead by Tokei-Ihto fled to Canada (unreliable sources).

Now let's go to the book trilogy by Liselotte Welskopf-Henrich. I wouldn't even imagine say that this was unworthy effort. She studied history and anthropology for 20 years plus before "Die Sohne der Grossen Barin" appeared in 1951. Courtesy to success of the book she wrote two prequels - "Harka, der Sohn des Hauptlings" (1962) and "Top und Harry" (1963) which treat earlier periods of life for Harka / Tokei-Ihto. But "Sons of Great Bear" is finale and could be read alone. In such order they appeared in Bulgarian, a bulk of 1500 pp. and favorite novels for youths. I am not aware whether this great trilogy, rival to Winnetou adventures, is published in English. Probably not, which is a loss.

See, folks, the Indians from Winnetou and Tokei-Ihto series bear German hearts and if you don't understand the undying German spirit you are in great trouble. I talk this to Nationalists all around the world now-a-day. Don't throw Globalization in the garbage bin. Otherwise, you risk standing in position like Jack Nicholson yelling - "You can't handle the truth" - in Few Good Men. See You ...