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.
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FilmFlaneur2 June 2006
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annakytkova23 January 2020I 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.
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kosmasp29 May 2021Now 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. -
peter.kousal2 January 2000I first saw this film at the age of 10 in Germany and at that age found it captivating for it's quality of cinematography and sound-track.
The film was one of a series that attempted for the first time to capture the unique and high romantic Western novels of Germany's greatest adventure writer Karl May. Now, more than 30 years later, and with a video copy of the film in my library to look at when in the mood, I find this version of Karl May's novel rather quaint and clumsy in terms of script/screenplay and certainly out of step with the more popularised versions of the Wild West.
However, May's portrayal of late 19th century America was always a mixture of well researched facts mingled with high romantic fantasy adventure in the "Knights of the Round Table" or "Star Wars" vein. In this regard, the film does capture the spirit of Karl May's novels pretty well, if rather geared towards an assumed prior knowledge by the audience of the characters and of May's novels. From today's sophisticated movie audience's perspective this film version of "Winnetou I" is still noteworthy for its magnificent soundtrack rivaling any John Williams score, and for the noble portrayal of the hero by French actor Pierre Brice, who made this role his own in numerous sequels and stage shows. -
ma-cortes23 January 2012Adventures , 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 . -
petarmatic23 December 2013It 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. -
mistajericho27 September 2001Winnetou 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!!! -
coltras355 May 2023The construction of the Great Western Railroad creates heavy conflict between the railway company and neighboring Indian tribes. Worse, criminal gang leader Santer sets his eyes on a gold mine located on holy Indian land and influences the construction supervisor to re-rout the planned railroad straight through Apache land. Old Shatterhand, who works as a measurement technician, discovers the evil plan and searches contact with the Apaches in an effort to avert war.
Lex Barker is Old Shatterhand, an engineer who arrives in the West to discover that his planned route for the railroad - one that skirted the Apache territory - is being ignored, and bad guy Santer is behind this. The first half of the film focuses on the Apaches' attempt to drive the railroad off their land and concludes with a lively, large-scale action sequence with Shatterhand having a locomotive drive through the saloon. The second half finds Old Shatterhand a captive of the Apaches with a date for death and focuses on how he and Winnetou became blood brothers.
Apache Gold is a lively, action-packed western which is imaginative and visually striking. Lex Barker is heroic as Shatterhand and Brice is sincere as Winnetou. -
unbrokenmetal21 May 2009"Winnetou 1" is packed with images not only I shall remember forever: the train crashing into the house, Nscho-tschi sitting on the edge of the canyon (shot in Yugoslavia as usual for the Karl May productions), Klekih Petra giving his life to save Winnetou, Old Shatterhand freeing Winnetou secretly, and much later becoming blood brothers. This is a myth larger than life, and it is admirable how well balanced it is with all its ingredients, Ralf Wolter playing the funny Sam Hawkens and Mario Adorf the intense villain Santer, while Marie Versini as Nscho-tschi adds a bit of romance. How often do you find a movie that has nothing to improve and you wish you just could see again and again? Yet I do understand people who think this is a naive or even lame flick - they just weren't at the cinema all those years ago, I suppose.
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paulleinert17 May 2021This movie, while it certainly entertains and excites, is very imaginary and not even a remote representation of what would have really happened. It doesn't have to be, I just wanted to get it out there. It has a lso aged quite a lot, and not very much in a good manner, the story is simple, the bad guys are clearly depicted and all in all it just brews down to a generic mush.
An exciting one, but still a mush. -
DMAC-425 May 1999I saw this film at a military theater in 1965. This film was so bad that it was hilarious. The troops were rolling in the aisles. Right from the beginning, when Lex Barker walks into a saloon and is assaulted by approximately 30 bad guys (attired in Tom Mix vintage costume and doing their best imitation of Charles King, the 1930's best bad guy ) and prevails; to the end. Also some arrows bounced off intended targets. Apparently the Europeans who made this film had quite a different perspective on westerns than we did. I would love to see this one again, if the people who made it haven't burned it yet.
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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. .
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Horst_In_Translation17 November 2015"Winnetou - 1. Teil" is a 100-minute movie from Germany, written by Harald G. Petersson based on Karl May's work and directed by Harald Reinl a couple years before his Oscar nomination. This film was done over 50 years ago and still you find some cast members still alive such as Mario Adorf or Marie Versini. Lead actor Pierre Brice died earlier this year. Like I already wrote in the title, western films and European cinema is always a difficult combination. There are some good examples, but sadly, despite its popularity, this is not one of them. It's been a while since I witness a title character who seemed totally forgettable like Winnetou in this one. Lex Barker does a decent job and certainly elevates the material here. Versini I found totally bland and uninteresting like Brice. Adorf id a truly charismatic actor and he makes up for the fact that his character is really stereotypical in here and wasn't written interestingly at all.
As a whole, this film delivers adequately for the genre in terms of visuals. Costumes, makeup and cinematography are okay, but all this is just another example of style over substance. The acting is mediocre overall and the story is probably the film's biggest letdown. The music is okay, but sometimes sounds almost too epic for what we see. I believe Reinl is among the best Austrian/German directors of his era, so this is quite a letdown. Still German audiences loved it and really many went to see this movie, which was awarded the Golden screen as well. This is certainly also the explanation why there were so many other Winnetou movies or movies based on Karl May's novels. I myself, after watching this one, have to admit i am not too eager to watch them. Thumbs down for "Winnetou Part 1". -
gato_00727 August 2002Well, 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!)
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dbdumonteil11 August 2016Born in Brest,Britanny ,and recently deceased,Pierre Brice is a French actor who is virtually unknown in his native country whereas he is considered an icon in Germany;his resemblance with Alain Delon was probably the main reason which led him to work abroad;the only movie of his which is frequently broadcast on French TV is a horror classic ("Il Mulino Delle Donne Di Piétra"="Le Moulin Des Supplices" ).
But,although played by a French actor,Winnetou is not part of French popular culture:Pierre Brice,a Breton ,achieved ,however ,a hard task:portraying an Indian without being ludicrous ,as so many of his peers ;he is not only credible,but he retains dignity and greatness. His legendary friendship with Old Shatterhand (Lex Barker) will be a long time coming but they will become blood brothers -and almost brothers-in-law ,a la "broken arrow" ,had the screenwriters saved Marie Versini's squaw .
Action scenes are well directed ,with a good sense of space ;the only irksome character is the photographer ,a very bad comic relief.It's all the more pointless since Shatterhand's mates do not take their fate seriously ,even tied to the torture post .
Best scene : Shatterhand ,on the canoe compared by Winnetou to an old toothless squaw for he's made a hole in it,trying to row the boat ashore near the sacred totem. -
WINNETOU, 1963, in Memorium
By Alex Dusty-Foot Deleon (Honorary Cheyenne)
A classic German Western filmed in Jugoslavia. Viewed on Austrian TV, June 14, 2015. I knew that a German writer by the name of Karl May was an extremely popular writer of American westerns in Germany, and that a number of films based on his iconic "Apache" hero Winnetou had been made, but I had never seen one. When French actor Pierre Brice who incarned Apache chieftain Winnetou in many films, passed away last week (June 6) at age 86 it was big news in the German language press and a series of his films are now on TV here in respectful memorium. Pierre-Louis Baron de Bris (6 February 1929 – 6 June 2015), known as Pierre Brice, was a French actor, best-known as fictional Apache-chief Winnetou in German Karl May films.
On Sunday in my hotel room I dutifully watched the most famous one "Winnetou, Part I" also known as "Apache Gold", and was most pleasantly surprised -- former Tarzan Lex Barker, dressed in buckskin and speaking flawless German, great "western" scenery filmed in Jugoslavia (-- shall we call it a Slivović Western) -- great authentic looking costumes and Teepees, good Indians vs evil Paleface intruders, lots of equestrian action and rousing shootouts, lovely Indian damsel in distress, Handsome Lex Barker blood- Brothering with Staunch heroic French Apache warrior Winnetou -- everything you could possibly want from a Western, and a rousing musical score to boot.
Extremely refreshing. Can't wait to see WINNETOU 2 and 3.
Okay, these Apaches looked more like Plains Indians than Southwest desert Apaches and did not speak Tonto mumbo-jumbo like Jlay Silverheels who played TONTO in The Lone Ranger series but was an authentic Canadian Iroquois --
-- and all the Indians looked pretty much like painted Caucasians, but -- Who cares? -- when so much fun is to be had!
Winnetou is a made-up name not in reality associated with the Apache or any other Amerindian language, but the films became so popular that Winnetou is an acceptable official name in Germany. Et alors ... Was denn!
Ps: An adviser from Los Angeles suggests calling it a "Sauerkraut Western" to avoid confusion with the better known Spaghetti variety. Why not ...Gettemupp Scalp!. -
Okay, so this is one of the most stunningly beautiful westerns I've ever seen, showing a tribe of Apaches really living in paradise, a land of running blue rivers, warm waterfalls and greenery as far as the eye can see. I can see why they'd want to protect it from the invading white man. Lex Barker is trying to score a treaty with them for peace, but Pierre Brice as Winnetou isn't willing to settle so easily, perhaps because he sees the evil in others.
The Mexican Mario Adorf also adds to his troubles, an evil man searching for gold in the Apache territory, and brutally murdering anyone who stands in his way. Only Brice's sister, Marie Versini, who is in love with Barker, can get Brice to consider a treaty with Barker and his men, and that can only be accomplished by Barker showing his bravery.
When described by the narrator in the beginning, Winnetou is mentioned as a big hearted man who would give all his food to the starving, yet it's obvious that the white man has taken advantage of that which closes his heart to them. We only get to see a bit of the friendship that grows between Barker and Brice, but it gives a sign of hope that would lead to other European films on their relationship.
At times in spite of these magnificent vistas and the touching elements, the film becomes very cartoonish with its characters seeming like something out of a Looney tunes short. I have expected the coyote and the roadrunner to show up at some point. One character, a bearded sidekick, reminded me of Mammy Yokum from Lil' Abner with a beard. The sets of the town are so perfectly built up they reminded me of vintage model train accessories, so that's another gorgeous element. The music theme is very lush and epic, really adding to this film's scope. -
mattek7627 May 2009Winnetou is a fictional Native American hero of several novels written by Karl May (1842-1912, with about 200 million copies worldwide one of the best selling German writers of all time) in German, including the sequels Winnetou I through Winnetou III. According to Karl May's story, first-person narrator Old Shatterhand encounters Winnetou and after initial dramatic events, a true friendship between Old Shatterhand and the Apache Winnetou arises; on many occasions they give proof of great fighting skill but also of compassion for other human beings. It portrays a belief in an innate "goodness" of mankind, albeit constantly threatened by ill-intentioned enemies. the movie is great and it was filmed in CROATIA. that country that you are mentioning do not exist any more, it was CROATIA before and it is CROATIA now so there is no point to write that it was filmed in that not existing country, this is 2009. so learn-those are CROATIAN national parks!
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stevankunst9 March 2021The movie is fine, it just failed to awoke my feelings like the book did. It holds the attention though.