Apache Gold (1963)
"Winnetou - 1. Teil" (original title)

The 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 ... See full summary »

Director:

Harald Reinl

Writers:

Karl May (novel), Harald G. Petersson

Stars:

Lex Barker, Pierre Brice, Marie Versini

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lex Barker	...	Old Shatterhand
Pierre Brice	...	Winnetou
Marie Versini	...	Nscho-tschi
Mario Adorf	...	Frederick Santer
Walter Barnes	...	Bill Jones
Chris Howland	...	Lord Tuff-Tuff
Ralf Wolter	...	Sam Hawkens
Milivoje Popovic-Mavid	...	Intschu-tschuna (as Mavid Popovic)
Dunja Rajter	...	Belle
Niksa Stefanini	...	Bullock
Branko Spoljar	...	Bancroft
Husein Cokic	...	Will Parker
Demeter Bitenc	...	Dick Stone
Tomoslav Erak	...	Tangua
Hrvoje Svob	...	Klekih-petra

Storyline

The 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.

---

Plot Keywords:

apache | native american | cult film | roman salute | knife | 

---

Taglines:

...und wieder mit eigenen Augen dabei!

---

Genres:

Western | Adventure

---

Details

Country:

West Germany Yugoslavia Italy

Language:

German

Release Date:

1 May 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

Apache Gold

Filming Locations:

Zezevo, Croatia

Box Office

Budget:

DEM 4,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jadran Film, Rialto Film Preben-Philipsen

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Followed by Winnetou: Thunder at the Border (1966)

User Reviews

The 2nd from the best movies about Winnetou

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. .