Search - Apache on DVD

A True Story, MGM style

Rob | Texas | 01/04/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When Hecht-Lancaster chose this project, they were venturing out from the Hollywood norm, which was just their style. Believe it or not, the story is about a true renegade, Masai (or Ma-si) of the Chiricahua Apache. His initial capture, escape from the train, and 1500 mile journey back to his homeland are all historically correct. Some accounts even say he had blue eyes-certainly a stretch, but with Cochise a generation before raiding Arizona and often taking white captives, some genetic possibilities occur. Like the movie, he eventually leaves his own people, fearing they might turn him back over to the whites, and lives a primitive, violent lifestyle. Even his death in a cornfield is one of the stories of his enigmatic demise. Lancaster intended the film to end with Massai being killed, but MGM had money in this and demanded the "cornier" (forgive me) ending. The movie was released into theaters shortly after the Brown vs. Board of Education ruling and was viewed as being highly topical in exploring the mistreatment of minorities. Has there ever been a truly representative Native American movie? I don't know. But this movie has a good heart, so forgive its small sins."

Despite its faults it's a good flick

Rob | 03/20/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Both Burt Lancaster and Jean Peters give outstanding performances" - wrote Variety in 1954 - and after watching this movie for the umpteenth time I believe they do deliver great performances in APACHE. It was the first one made by Holywood that dared to portray a movie from the Indian's point of view; and that alone deserves some credit.
A bit of TRIVIA
Jean Peters's performance in Apache, according to director Robert Aldrich, is even more outstanding because she had a personal dislike of Lancaster as a person and had to show complete devotion towards him throughout the entire film. Despite this fact, the two actors had some sort of chemestry in their scenes together that comes accross on the screen.
On top of that, both these actors were made up to look their worst in rags and to somehow look Indian - to no avail. Peters is still a gorgeous all-American girl and Lancaster the handsome all-American hero. However, if you forget about their looks (hard as it may be) this movie is very well done. It is masterfully directed, well acted, superbly edited and has a great storyline - even though the ending was changed by United Artists before it was released and Massai (Lancaster) was allowed to live and see his new born child (contrary to the novel's ending where Massai is killed by the US cavalry). But then it was 1954!
Anyone who likes westerns, should see this film."

The Last Angry Man

Steven Hellerstedt | 01/01/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"APACHE tells the story of Massai (based on a real person and played by Burt Lancaster), a warrior who fought under Geronimo and the only Apache who, when Geronimo and his followers were transferred to Florida, refused to surrender.
The movie opens promisingly enough. Geronimo's ceremonious surrender is disrupted by Massai, who is quickly captured by Indian scout Al Sieber (another real person, played by John McIntyre). Sieber denies him a warrior's death and, instead, has him join the herd on the Florida bound train.
What follows is a blend of historical fictionalization and Hollywood hooey. Massai escapes the deportation train and arduously makes his way back to his home, now a reservation, which he detests. As Massai, alienated from his subjected people and loathing those who subject them, says at one point "Every white man, every Indian is my enemy.... I can't stop fighting. I'm the last real Apache left in the world."
All fodder for a terrific western, but APACHE is far from that. In fact, save for the energetic Lancaster, this movie lacks the dramatic punch you'd expect from the source material. Granted, the real story of depredations and atrocities, on both sides, is a little too messy for Hollywood. Even though there's not much known about Massai, you'd think they could have concocted something a little more stirring than this whitewash.
Love interest Jean Peters, the beautiful Jean Peters, although cast in a rugged enough role, proves the maxim that women are death to action movies. Whatever momentum APACHE had grinds to a halt the moment our blue-eyed stars begin frolicking `neath the hot Arizona sun. Hunted Lovers stories are tough enough to pull off, nearly impossible when the lovers plant roots.
APACHE gets an `okay' three stars. Not bad but not nearly as good as it could have been. If you're not a big fan of Lancaster or westerns, it's probably best to pass on this one.
"

Decent western

T O'Brien | Chicago, Il United States | 07/13/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Apache is a good western that tries to show Native Americans in a positive way, something most westerns did not even attempt to do. The movie tells the story of Massai, an Apache warrior who refuses to surrender alongside Geronimo and his other warriors. He escapes the grasp of the U.S. Army several times and begins to wage a one-man war on them. Massai begins to cut telegraph lines, burn bridges, and even attacks a fort single-handedly in the night. All through his war, the army sends a scout and several Indians who now work for the army after him to bring him in so he does not start a another war. It is good to see Native Americans portrayed as human beings but something is missing in the movie. Burt Lancaster is pretty good as Massai, the Apache warrior who refuses to surrender. The movie makes no attempt to make him seem like an Apache other than what he looks like. There are plenty of acrobatic stunts performed that do look very good. Jean Peters plays his wife even though for much of the movie, he either ignores her or mistreats her. John McIntire is very good as the scout sent to track Massai down. He plays the role well and is good at showing that he actually respects the man he is hunting. Charles Bronson plays Hondo, an Apache now working for the army and potential suitor of Massai's wife. The DVD is okay. It offers a trailer and full screen format which looks okay. This is a good western, but I recommend renting it before you go out and buy it."