Geronimo: An American Legend

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.

The valiant, if doomed, Chiricahua Apache tried (as did so many other tribes) to be accommodating after being hounded to the breaking point. Their famous chief, Geronimo, gave himself up voluntarily and tried to lead his people onto the reservation. But, as happened so many times, even after capitulation they were attacked in unwarranted fashion and reacted by leaving the reservation whereupon they were hunted, and hunted, and harried. Some people don't like this film because it tells history more like it was than most movies do about the "conquering" of the American west ... it shows both sides of the story, not just one. With this movie, you can't identify with the hero on one side and the villain or the other. Both are sympathetic, both are reprehensible (isn't that the way a historical drama really ought to be played? In my book, this is a plus). As a native of Arizona, where much of the historical action took place, I find it disturbing that the countryside in which the movie was made is either in some other state or in the wrong part of Arizona, that characters seem to be able to get from Tombstone to San Carlos in one day on horseback (either they had multiple horses, or one dead one), and that there is a bit of overstatement about the honor among the various Apache bands (with reference to the reason that members of some Apache groups served as scouts against other groups). All in all, though, I vote for this one over all the other "Geronimo" movies that have been made.

Geronimo: An American Legend is truly an underrated gem, an epic historical western directed by Walter Hill and written by John Milius. Great direction and a fairly good script, it does a great job at giving us a good narrative and the fictional liberties the creators took are there for dramatic use. But its representation of the Native Americans and the Apache is one thing they got right. It is a fictionalized account of the Apache Wars and how First Lieutenant Charles B. Gatewood convinced Apache leader Geronimo to surrender in 1886. It's a well told story that engages you and makes you want to learn more about the historical figures and events, I'm alright with it being a fictionalized account of what happened, it's a film after all and not a documentary.

The lead actors of the movie are Wes Studi, Jason Patric, Gene Hackman, Robert Duvall and Matt Damon. That's just a few names, the roles that the actors I mentioned is historical figures and I'm certain that everything isn't historically accurate but I think they did a phenomenal job with their performances. Wes Studi, Jason Patric, Gene Hackman and Robert Duvall had the best performances, very memorable. They got the accents and mannerisms right for an authentic portrayal in that time period. Wes Studi who portrays the title character did a phenomenal job, probably one of the best performances of his career.

Walter Hill is a director that really knows how to make a film that's visually stunning, his contribution to the film is a huge point in why it's so good. He got a extremely talented cinematographer working beside him, and just wow, the movie looks amazing and also sounds amazing. Incredible musical score and sound design. The whole production is impressive and are filled with scenes full of detail, I'm glad they cared about the film and wanted so much authenticity as possible.

Geronimo: An American Legend is a memorable western film that I will re-watch in the future, it's a great film that has amazing acting and writing. The people who worked cared and that makes us care for the movie.

With its superb acting, writing and directing, this masterpiece by Walter Hill is unique, not only in the way it maintains its epic quality in the span of two hours, but in the strong chemistry between the two main characters. The majestic music and scenic photography combine perfectly to compliment the stunning performances of Wes Studi as Geronimo and the breath-taking Jason Patric as Lt. Charles Gatewood. The special friendship shared between the two grand, thoughtful men is the main interest that holds this film together, with Patric's performance being the most exceptional, amid a talented supporting cast of big names.

As a righteous officer and gentleman who remains loyal but unpoisoned by excessive patriotism, Gatewood is a tough but calming influence in the face of great danger, while displaying a maturity that bewilders his more primitive companion Al Sieber (Robert Duvall) who exclaims, "You don't love who you're fighting for and you don't hate who you're fighting against!" In this way, Gatewood is just as complex as he is likable, immediately gaining the trust and admiration of both his friends and enemies.

Whether he assumes the role of an ambassador with his deep eyes and charismatic presence or that of a soldier with his masterful horsemanship (performed by the actor himself), Jason Patric brings a special depth and beauty to Gatewood, making him one of the most impressive and under rated heroes ever captured on film. His presence alone makes this film a great classic, as well as a thought provoking treasure!

This film was part of the revival the western genre had in the beginning of the 90's in the wake of Dances With Wolves. Not all of the westerns from this period are worth seeing (Bad Girls is a good example of that) but there are gems among them. This film, Geronimo: An American Legend being one. It makes an intelligent comment regarding the frankly despicable treatment the Apaches, among other American Indian tribes, recieved at the hands of the American government. In this lies the films strength and the presentation of this theme is the focus of the film's plot. It plays like a historical thesis or argument. This being terrific for people who are looking to know exactly what happened to the Apaches.

However, people who search for great dramaturgical nerve in films should avoid this film. Because there is none. The plot faithfully depicts the historical progress of events and refuses to completely demonize the Whites (although they clearly are being portrayed as the expansionist aggressors)in order to build a protagonist-antagonist plot-structure. This makes the movie slow, and for non-buffs a tedious experience.

Finally, the film has a terrific soundtrack by Ry Cooder and a knock-out performance by Wes Studi as Geronimo!