La révolte des indiens apaches

I love actors in this film. Pierre Brice and Lex Barker are very good as Vinnetou and Old Shatterhand. My favourite character is Vinnetou, because he is clever and skillful. In this film there aren´t simular things as in the book. I think it´s a very good film.

Arguably the start of the notable German Western cycle of the 60's, along with Treasure of the Silver Lake (Der Schatz I'm Silbersee of the previous year). In this early adaption of the tremendously successful Karl May novels which formed the backbone of the series, Ex Tarzan Lex Barker, blonde hair slicked back in vague echo of Kirk Douglas, plays Old Shatterhand. French actor Pierre Brice is Winnetou, good Apache, his Indian blood brother. Unlike the cynicism of the Spaghetti Westerns which followed shortly afterwards, the German version is backward looking - nostalgic, perhaps, for the more simplistic and romantic version of the genre, common in Hollywood before the psychological complications wrought by the 50's. Thus Shatterhand and Winnetou are more Lone Ranger and Tonto than Trinità and Bambino. The present film is fully equal of its rivals elsewhere on the continent in recreating the old west in mid europe, wagon trains marauding indians and all. Winnetou 1 also has the distinction of a marvellous score by Martin Bottcher, its sweeping main theme instantly memorable and looks superb in the widescreen transfer. Recent months have seen the release of three or four boxes of the films featuring Winnetou et al, with another one including the 1980's TV series, also worth investigating. However prospective buyers should note that the English dialogue/subtitling is not consistent; box 1 for instance only has 2 out of the 4 films in English while even in those that do minor characters and small scenes often lapse back into German - not a problem when the plot is relatively straightforward but unless bought cheaply the annoyance is enough to dampen a full recommendation of a greatly entertaining series of films hardly known to western fans, at least in the UK.

I first saw this film at the age of 10 in Germany and at that age found it captivating for it's quality of cinematography and sound-track.

The film was one of a series that attempted for the first time to capture the unique and high romantic Western novels of Germany's greatest adventure writer Karl May. Now, more than 30 years later, and with a video copy of the film in my library to look at when in the mood, I find this version of Karl May's novel rather quaint and clumsy in terms of script/screenplay and certainly out of step with the more popularised versions of the Wild West.

However, May's portrayal of late 19th century America was always a mixture of well researched facts mingled with high romantic fantasy adventure in the "Knights of the Round Table" or "Star Wars" vein. In this regard, the film does capture the spirit of Karl May's novels pretty well, if rather geared towards an assumed prior knowledge by the audience of the characters and of May's novels. From today's sophisticated movie audience's perspective this film version of "Winnetou I" is still noteworthy for its magnificent soundtrack rivaling any John Williams score, and for the noble portrayal of the hero by French actor Pierre Brice, who made this role his own in numerous sequels and stage shows.

Well, very interesting you found it hilarious. I'm sure all those German, Dutch and Belgian kids at that time just -loved- it. In fact, I know they did, because when I saw them on tv when I was a kid I couldn't wait for the next one. The movie is naive, but it is also timeless. I have kids of my own now and they just love these movies. (Yes, they did a whole series of them!)

Adventures , action , crossfire and gorgeous Yugoslavian exteriors magnificently photographed and in which takes place the first emotive meeting between and Winnetou and Old Shatterhand . This is a thrilling and stirring adventure based on Karl May novel with two agreeable characters as Old Shatterhand and Winnetou , being stunningly played by Lex Barker as measurement expert and Pierre Brice as Apache chief's son respectively . It deals with Old Shatterhand , a railway engineer who arrives at a western little town . The building of the Great Western Railroad trespasses Indian territory and it creates strong facing between the railway company and neighboring Apache tribes . When violent conflict breaks out between greedy railroaders and a tribe of Mescalero Apaches , only two men, destined to be blood brothers, can prevent all-out war : chief's son Winnetou (Pierre Brice) and German engineer Old Shatterhand (Lex Barker) . Evil Frederick (Mario Adorf) influences the construction supervisor to re-rout the schemed railroad straight ahead Apache land , breaking the peace treatise . Old Shatterhand , who works as a railway engineer and wagon conductor , aware the scheme and attempts to contact with the Apaches in an effort to avoid war . The desperado outlaws attack the little town but they are surrounded by the good guys (Lex Baker , Chris Howland , Walter Barnes) at the saloon where takes place brawls and shootouts . Later on , Apaches also attack and Winnetou struggles Shatterhand being wounded in neck . In spite of troubles caused by bandits led by Frederick (Mario Adorf who played several Spaghetti Western) being supported by Kiowas who prove to be a dangerous enemy , Winnitou is abducted by the baddies but Old Shatterhand set out on pursuit of the bandits and prepares them a trap and the Apache is freed and they get escape . Then nasty band led by Santer sets his eyes on a gold mine placed on holy Indian land . Meanwhile , Old Shatterland falls in love with the Indian girl named Nscho Tschi (Marie Versini subsequently replaced by Karin Dor who married to director Harald Reinl) , Winnitou's sister , in an enjoyable love story . At the end takes place a moving epilogue by shooting and fighting with no much sense . In successive episodes Old Shatterland and his faithful half-brother Winnetou are ready on the trail to undertake new and risked adventures .

This is an acceptable first episode about one of the series of popular German made Western , featuring the intimate duo formed by valiant ¨Old Shatterhand¨ who agrees to guide the revolt against outlaws located at Indian territory and immortal ¨Winnetou¨ , both of them will repeat their same notorious roles as dignified as always . Highlights of the movie are the spectacular train crash in the saloon , the impressive Indian attack over town and breathtaking chase on canoe in which Shatterhand being pursued by Indians . This enjoyable saga benefits from sensational adventures , shootouts , action , emotion , larger-than-life characters and spectacular scenarios shot in Ivanica, Dubrovnik, Croatia ,Popovo Polje, Roski falls, Yugoslavia ,Zrmanja canyon, Croatia and Zubci, Trebinje, Yugoslavia . Winnetou-Pierre Brice plays , as usual , his excellent and unforgettable role to be continued in a TV series . Lex Barker scores especially high marks , though he plays as a serious and intelligent engineer who joins forces with Winnetou . Enjoyable relationship between Old Shatterhand and Winnetou is quite match . The highbrow Lex Barker played the most part of series : ¨Apache gold (1963)¨ by Harald Reinl , ¨Apaches last Battle (1964)¨ by Hugo Fregonese, ¨Last of renegades(1964)¨, ¨The desperate trail¨, ¨Old Surehand¨ (1965) directed by Alfred Vohrer, ¨Old Shatterland(1966)¨ by Harald Philipp , ¨In the valley of death (1968)¨ by Harald Reinl . Stewart Granger as ¨Surehand¨ took the role in two occasions , he starred a diverse character but is pretty similar to Old Shatterland , he plays with mirth and sympathetic manner as ¨Among vultures¨ and ¨Winnetou and Surehand¨ . Besides , Rod Cameron starred only one : ¨Old Firehand¨ in which chemistry between stuffy Cameron and Brice is inexistent . The film displays a colorful cinematography and a catching as well as sensitive musical score by Martin Bottcher , series' ordinary , being eventually replaced in some episode by Peter Thomas . The motion picture produced by Rialto Productions was professionally directed by Harald Reinl who directed various Karl May titles , besides he was a German thriller expert called Krimi - Edward Wallace adaptation- and realized another Western titled ¨The last Mohican¨ . Rating : 6 , acceptable and passable . Worthwhile seeing for marvelous scenarios and breathtaking outdoors from Yugoslavia including rousing falls , canyon, rivers and mountains ; all of them as spectacular as Almeria- Spain- outdoors where at the same time were shot numerous European Western .