La valle dei lunghi coltelli

It was so nice to remember times when this film was shot in the former Yugoslavia, what is today Croatia. I was not born then but they told me how wonderful it was to work with those people at those times.They filmed at what is today Plitvice Lakes and Dubrovnik, Popovo Polje area. Old people still remember that.

I wish making films was simple and nice as it was during those times.

It is great to take a ride in the past and revisit those old movies.

You the younger generation should do the same.

For details of film see the other reviews, everything there has been well said.

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.

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 .

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.

Now I have not checked the timeline, there possibly is at least another movie adaptation of Winnetou before this movie was made. But this is the first one of a trilogy that quite likely changed the landscape - no pun intended. I may also not be entirely correct, but I'm fairly certain that this is a nice and progressive look on native Americans ... something we did not really get from America - the land where you'd think they should have been eager to give us both sides of the story.

I have not read the novels by Karl May (shame on me), but I remember the movies I watched in my childhood fondly. Rewatching them now is really refreshing and while they have aged to a certain degree, the message is still clear! And a good one - giving a moral compass that was really good and helped in creating a mind set. It still has cliches and it certainly is not perfect, but the intentions are more than noble. I really like what they did here and the cast is incredible too. Not sure how this translates and apparently there are english versions that cut out some of the jokes (inappropriate ones if I understand correctly). So many side characters here ... so much fun, but also a lot of action in this one too.

One stunt in particular is quite incredible! Someone hanging of cliff and it seems to be the actor himself - there was no green screen back then, so I can only imagine how tough it was to shoot that ... really great work there. Of course there is the obligatory plastic lances, dolls being thrown from high grounds (though I've seen worse ones than are being used here) ... still these are things that you can easily just overlook ... because of the strong story and bond that gets established here ... I hear and see you brother.