A Lei dos Apaches

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.

To my mind, "Winnetou I" is the second from the best movies about Winnetou after "Old Shatterhand" ("Apache's last battle"). These movies are different. "Winnetou I" or "Apache's gold" is very romantic, a nice fairy-tale about noble and human Indian and his blood brother. It's idealized story, far from cruel reality. "Old Shatterhand" has some similar features, but it is more realistic. However, I can see both these movies after 40 or 35 years with pleasure despite of the naiveness of both these films as examples of excellent cinema art reminding me about ideals of childhood and youth. Director Harald Reinl is a great master of romantic cinema. This movie is very beautiful with a great deal of poetic. A beauty of nature (filmed in Croatia) is a background for romantic drama. Two contrasting actors - Pierre Brice (Winnetou) and Lex Barker (Shatterhand) - looks excellent together. To my mind, this is the best Barker's movie: he acts with true passion. Unfortunately, he lost it in last Winnetou's movies.. Pierre Brice is very intelligent actor with a good taste and wit some mystery in his noble face. This mystery makes him very attractive. Marie Versini's Nscho-tschi is the best Indian woman I see in the European westerns. He looks excellent alongside Pierre Brice and his acting is touching. Mario Adorf is very strong as villain Santer, Ralf Wolter's comical characterisation is also very good. And music (Martin Boettcher) is very beautiful. .

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!)

Winnetou I.

When i hear this name some of the nicest childhood memories come rushing back to me. when i first saw this movie at the age of seven or so Winnetou became my hero for years to come. Based on the novels written by Karl May german director Harald Reinl came up with one of the first wild west movies who didn´t copy the american movies. The german audience rewarded that and Winnetou I ( followed by II and III ) became a huge success. Actually it became a huge success all around the world. Nonetheless Winnetou I wasn´t Reinls first Winnetou movie. One year earlier he had released the movie "Der Schatz im Silbersee" which became the most successful movie of the season 62/63 beating such movies as James Bond : Dr.No. The story is basically every time the same. The two friends Winnetou and Old Shatterhand try to solve the problems between the red and the white poeple and of course in the end they succeed. Winnetou I is starring Lex Barker in the role of Old Shatterhand and french actor Pierre Brice as Winnetou. They both came up with a very fine performance and especially Pierre Brice, who is now 68, stayed winnetou throughout his whole life. He played Winnetou in several sequels and after the Karl May period started to fade he performed this role on several stages in germany. In my opinion the movies are most fun to watch, when they remind you of your childhood. When you watch them for the first time as a grown up they may seem a bit too naive and cheesy. But even if you might dislike the movie you simply have to love the soundtrack. I am not joking here!!! German composer "Martin Böttcher" came up with the best soundtrack ever composed. Forget the Jurassic Park Theme or the Batman Theme. The Winnetou Theme is much better. In the year 1962 the theme stayed at top of the german charts for more than 17 weeks. It is simply breathtaking and works so well with the romantic landscape ( the movie was shot in Jugoslavia ). Give it a try you won´t be disappointed.

10 out of 10

Hugh Winnetou has spoken!!!

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.