Desperado Trail

This very romantic western-movie made nearly every woman cry, who saw the dying. But with fun (Ralf Wolter at his best) and well invented turns, the plot becomes not predictable. Here Pierre Brice and Lex Barker are positioned in a better way than in Winnetou 2; possible reason the director Reinl. After all one of the best Winnetous and with very good Music (Martin Boettcher).

After learning that a large area of land owned by the Jicarilla tribe holds oil, a greedy group of white men, led by a man named "Rollins" (Rik Battaglia), attempts to provoke the Jicarilla into going to war with the American government--a conflict they would surely lose--which would enable Rollins and his men to claim the entire area. What Rollins doesn't realize, however, is that the Apache chief "Winnetou" (Pierre Brice) suspects that a plan of this nature has been devised. That being said, even though he doesn't know the identity of those responsible, he hopes to prevent a war at all costs. Therefore, he turns to his good friend "Old Shatterhand" (Lex Barker) for assistance. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this film essentially shares the same plot as the other preceding films in the series but has one major twist at the end that separates it from all of the others. Speaking of these preceding films, this film is the third installment in a trilogy that includes "Winnetou" and "Winnetou-the Red Gentleman" but this trilogy is interspersed with other films, making it difficult to ascertain the correct sequence overall. Likewise, I think the ending scene in this particular film makes that decision even more difficult. Throw in some apparent factual inaccuracies about Native Americans, and one might also question whether this was more of a fantasy film than a Western as well. Among other things, one specific example is that neither the Jicarilla nor any other Apache tribes had totem poles. It wasn't a part of their culture. Be that as it may, while I don't necessarily view this as a bad film, I didn't particularly enjoy certain aspects of it, which is reflected in my rating. Below average.

Again the unforgettable Winnetou and Old Shatterhand in a dangerous adventure set on wonderful outdoors is this German/Yugoslavian co-production . Adventures , action , crossfire and gorgeous Yugoslavian exteriors magnificently photographed . This is a thrilling and stirring adventure based on Karl May trilogy with two agreeable characters as Old Shatterhand and Winnetou, being stunningly played by Lex Barker and Pierre Brice respectively . As always , and at the beginning , there takes place an emotive meeting between Winnetou (Pierre Brice) and Old Shatterhand (Lex Barker who married Spanish Carmen Cervera who subsequently wedded Baron Thyssen) . It deals with a land baron and his hoodlum Rollins (Rick Battaglia) , a ruthless bandit , both of whom spread a reign of terror and attempt to take Indian lands , expelling them from their territories . As powerful owners want to create a war between the native American tribes and the white men . The settlers moving westward, attempt to break the friendship between the whites and the Indians and wage war among them . Old Shatterhand, Winnetou and their sidekick , the ordinary Sam Hawkens (likeable Ralf Wolter who carries out the comic relief) try to prevent this . Winnetou and Shatterland have an encounter with governor (Carl Lange) of Santa Fe who promises peace and free lands for Indians . Then , the warring Jicarillos' chief, White Buffalo (Dusan Antonijevic) , allies with villain Rollins and the latter kills Quick Panther (Slobodan) , White Buffalo's son , stabbing him in the back with Winnetou's knife , then Winnetou is accused of the murder . It is up to Old Shatterhand to save his friend . Old Shatterland frees his faithful half-brother and both of whom are on the trail to chase the nasty Rollins but they are double-crossed . In spite of troubles caused by bandits , they get escape . Later on , Winnetou attempts a treaty of peace and prepares a summit between the Indian tribes , Jicarillos, and Mescaleros Apaches along with band of Rollins but he is betrayed . At the end , there occurs a breathtaking epilogue by means of shootouts , merciless pursuits and a surprising death , Winnetou , although we all know that he is immortal and following a lot of episodes .

This Western/Adventure results to be one of the best episodes about one of the series of popular German made Western , featuring the duo formed by valiant ¨Old Shatterhand¨ and shiny ¨Winnetou¨ , both of them repeat their same notorious roles as dignified as always . This enjoyable saga benefits from sensational adventures , shootouts , fireworks , exciting combats, larger-than-life characters and spectacular scenarios shot in Atelier, Spandau, Berlin, Germany (studio),Grobnicko Polje, Croatia ,Kredarica, Lukovo, Plitvice, Yugoslavia ,Postojna cave, Radmanove Linice valley, Stobrec quarry, Yugoslavia,cement factory, Solin, Split, Croatia and Trogir , Croacia .

Winnetou-Pierre Brice repeats , as usual, his excellent and immortal role to be continued in a TV series. Lex Barker scores especially high marks , though he plays as a serious and intelligent frontiersman . Enjoyable relationship between Old Shatterhand and Winnetou is quite match . Pierre Brice is sensational as Winnetou , he is descendant of old French nobility , after enlisting as volunteer to the French Army and fighting in Indochina, he attended acting lessons and got a first small role in some film . In 1962, a German producer searched for an actor who should play the Native American chief Winnetou on a Western movie adapted from novels by Karl May and got to know Brice at the Berlin Film Festival . He got the role and portrayed "Winnetou" in ten more movies with his co-star Lex Barker as "Old Shatterhand". These very successful productions made him a superstar in Germany, winning several awards such as Bambi or the Golden Otto of teenager magazine "Bravo". Furthermore , received Germany's Cross of Merit, First Class as one the most popular Frenchmen in Germany . Although appearing on countless other movies and TV shows, he will always be best remembered as "Winnetou", whom he also played at the Bad Segeberg open air theater.

The highbrow Lex Barker who like his co-star and good friend Pierre Brice started a singing career and released several records and 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 the role 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 , though with excessive use of synthesizer by Martin Bottcher , series's ordinary , being eventually replaced in some episode by Peter Thomas . The motion picture well produced by customary Horst Wendlandnt was professionally directed by Harald Reinl who realized various Karl May titles , besides he was a German thriller expert called Krimi - Edward Wallace adaptation- and filmed another Western as ¨The last Mohican¨ and an epic rendition , ¨Nibelungen ¨ starred by Terence Hill and his wife Karin Dor ; unfortunately Harald Reinl died a few years ago , he committed suicide in Santa Cruz De Tenerife , Islas Canarias . Rating : 7 , entertaining and spectacular outing . Worthwhile seeing for marvelous landscapes and breathtaking outdoors from Yugoslavia and Croatia.

To be fair, this may be the last film in the trilogy, but there were more movies prior and after that. Still if you look for something to begin ... actually I'm not sure if it doesn't make more sense to just watch every movie chronological. Or even better: read the novels this is based on before you watch the movies. While I haven't read them, you can start off on a totally different level than me.

Having said that, the two iconic characters and the two iconic actors who portrayed them. Their names were forever bonded together. A blessing and a curse I reckon. But in this case more of a blessing. Because they did break ground. The movies may not have been made in America and for some they may not feel American or western like - but that does not have to be a bad thing necessarily. Quite the opposite is the case I think. It is nice to have a different view on things and be able to enjoy this European production ... just be open minded about it.

Really good actors and an emotional conclusion of things ... one of the best movie trilogies ever made for sure gets its crowning finish ... no pun intended.

Rollins' gang wants to grab land by inciting the settlers in a war against the Indians but Winnetou and Old Shatterhand try to keep the peace, until Rollins frames Winnetou up for the murder of Jicarilla Chief's son.

The Winnetou westerns are great fun, vibrant, lively and imaginative and action-packed, and this 1965 entry starring Lex Barker as Old Shatterhand and Pierre Brice as Winnetou is another action-packed extravaganza with the usual land grab plot, chases, villainous scenes and fistfights - here, Winnetou gets framed for the murder of the chief's son which ups the tension. Not as good as the others, like the previous one and afterwards, but decent enough. The villainy needed to be better, I think.