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Apache (1954)

Passed | | Western | 8 October 1954 (Japan)
Apache Poster
Refusing to let himself be re-settled on a Florida reservation, Massai, an Apache warrior, escapes his captors and returns to his homeland to become a peaceful farmer.

Director:

Robert Aldrich

Writers:

James R. Webb (written for the screen by), Paul Wellman (novel) (as Paul I. Wellman)

Stars:

Burt Lancaster, Jean Peters, John McIntire | See full cast & crew »
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Photos

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Burt Lancaster ... Massai
Jean Peters ... Nalinle
John McIntire ... Al Sieber
Charles Bronson ... Hondo (as Charles Buchinsky)
John Dehner ... Weddle
Paul Guilfoyle ... Santos
Ian MacDonald ... Clagg
Walter Sande ... Lt. Col. Beck
Morris Ankrum ... Dawson
Monte Blue ... Geronimo
See full cast »
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Storyline

Following the surrender of Geronimo, Massai, the last Apache warrior is captured and scheduled for transportation to a Florida reservation. Instead, he manages to escape and heads for his homeland to win back his girl and settle down to grow crops. His pursuers have other ideas though. Written by Col Needham <col@imdb.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

arizona territory | reservation | military | army | geronimo | See All (46) »

Taglines:

This is the story of Massai - last of the Apaches... Massai the unconquerable... Massai the Indian warrior who single-handedly held an entire U.S. Army at bay... A story told with all the drama of 'High Noon', filmed with all the power of 'Shane'! See more »

Genres:

Western

Certificate:

Passed | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 October 1954 (Japan) See more »

Also Known As:

Bronco Apache See more »

Filming Locations:

Agoura Ranch, Agoura, California, USA See more »
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Box Office

Budget:

$1,240,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$6,000,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,000,000
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hecht-Lancaster Productions See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

There really was a renegade Apache warrior called Massai, who was a bloodthirsty killer renowned for stealing, raping and murdering. He did indeed escape from a prison train bound for Florida and made his way back to his homeland. It is, however, doubtful that he was six feet tall and had blue eyes like Burt Lancaster. See more »

Goofs

When Massai is moving through Clagg's barn, a mattress is seen being flopped into position on the bottom left of the screen, to be used for Clagg to land on after being hit by Massai. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Lt. Col. Beck: Do you think he means it this time?
Al Sieber: We'll see.
See more »

Crazy Credits

Opening credits: This is the story of Massai, the last Apache warrior. It has been told and re-told until it has become one of the great legends of the Southwest. It began in 1886 with Geronimo's surrender. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Baghi (1956) See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

 
Burt Lancaster & Jean Peters as blue-eyed Apaches
31 July 2003 | by westerner357 – See all my reviews

If you can suspend disbelief that Burt Lancaster and Jean Peters are Apaches, then this isn't a bad western. If you can't, well then there's gonna be a lot of low ratings posted here.

In 1886, Geronimo and his braves surrender to the U.S. Calvary in New Mexico and are shipped off to Ft. Marion, Florida. All except one, an Apache named Massai (Burt Lancaster) who begins a one man war against the whites.

Massai escapes from the train that is shipping the Apaches back east and makes his way back to New Mexico. From there, he attacks wagons, soldiers, bridges etc., making life hard for the authorities. He kidnaps Nalinle (Jean Peters) and takes her up to the hills with him while Indian scouts John McIntire and Charles Bronson hunt them down.

Massai finds an isolated spot in the high country and starts to plant a small corn field from seed he got from a Cherokee farmer (Morris Ankrum). He also gets Peters pregnant with child.

The ending scene in Massai's little cornfield is pure Hollywood. The action scenes are tight as we see Lancaster jumping from rock to rock as he picks off at least 10 of the Indian scouts that have him surrounded. But then as Massai is wounded and runs into McIntire in the cornfield, disbelief occurs and the conclusion seems tacked on in order to make a happy ending out of it. You'll have to see it for yourself.

Still, it's entertaining enough as it is. It's based on a true incident and Lancaster at least brings some dignity to his role as the noble warrior turned farmer who wants to be left in peace. It could've turned out a lot worse.

I give it a 6 out of 10 for his performance alone.
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