Burt Lancaster was cock of the walk in 1954. The Lancaster-starred From Here to Eternity had just swept the Oscars®, his personal production company Hecht-Lancaster could do no wrong, and he had marquee magic in two back-to-back Westerns directed by Robert Aldrich, Vera Cruz and this one. There are moments in his performance as Massai, the Apache warrior who wouldn't surrender with Geronimo, that seem choreographed to express the actor's exultation. Massai has hard going all the way--starting with having to recross half the continent on foot after escaping from a prison train bound for Florida--but Lancaster the ex-circus athlete who insisted on doing his own stunts fairly sings with the ecstasy of movement as he scampers over rocks, rolls unscathed between the wheels of racing wagons, and generally makes the screen look like his private gym.

Apache wasn't the first Western to sympathize with Native Americans done wrong, but it's among the liveliest--although, ironically, it was destined to be outshone in power and complexity by Aldrich and Lancaster's masterpiece Ulzana's Raid nearly two decades later. Typically of its time, Apache features non-Indians in all the Indian roles, including Jean Peters as Massai's beloved Nalinle and Charles Buchinsky (later Bronson) as her other suitor, Hondo, one of the tribesmen who has donned U.S. Cavalry blue. John McIntire contributes his crusty moral authority as Al Sieber, the real-life scout who helped defeat Geronimo and then Massai, and respected both. John Dehner is, as usual, a real bastard. --Richard T. Jameson

Customer Rating:
Summary: ENTERTAINMENT AND SAGA ROLLED INTO ONE
Comment:

I have seen this film since it was first released and now also own a DVD of it too. I have always viewed the movie as first class entertainment and never as a historical documentary. I feel many people go astray when viewing anything as one thing when in actuality it is entirely a different thing.

The film may be termed a historical fiction but it will never be a historical documentary. The story is based on the 1936 novel by Paul I. Wellman entitled BRONCO APACHE, published by Macmillen. Though the movie script was written by James R. Webb, the novel was the basis for the movie. And mostly the movie is just that, a fiction set in Arizona Territory late in the Apache Wars.

History can be brought into this in some ways, as Frederick Remington published an article in the January, 1898, Harper's Monthly, entitled "Massai's Crooked Trail". I have a copy of that article in which Remington calls Massai a 'Chiricahua warrior', yet Dan Thrapp in his 1964 biography of Al Seiber entitled AL SEIBER, CHIEF OF SCOUTS, mentions Massai as 'a Warm Springs Apache'. Remington goes on in his article to recite the little that is known about Massai. As one chief of scouts said: the story of Massai was not as long as his trail. Many saw his footprints but never his face. No one knows what Massai looked like, nor do we know how his name should be spelled. Dan L. Thrapp mentions several possible variations: "Massa", "Massi", "Masai", "Wasse" or "Massey". Most of what Dan Thrapp wrote concerning Massai was based on the story told by Jason Betzinez.

Remington relates his story based on both Apache and 10th Cavalry views, that Massai did escape a train east of Kansas City, moved south and then west till at "last he came to the lands of the Mescalero Apaches, where he stayed for some time." It is said it had taken him a full year to make this journey. According to Remington, Massai abducted several different women over time, killing some, while allowing others to go free. His story is based primarily on one young woman named, Natastale, who, after Massai had murdered her mother, spent a considerable time as a captive with Massai. She was one similar to that portrayed by Jean Peters in the movie as tied up by the feet so she could sleep on her back. Massai kept her tied up during much of their time together. Though they lived as man and wife, Massai as far as known never married Natastale. All this is related by Frederick Remington in his 1898 article.

From what history does tell us Massai was never taken prisoner, there are some stories that say he was killed, but with all the mist surrounding this story no one can say for certain. Massai was what was known then in Arizona Territory as a 'wild one' or 'netdahe'. As such he was a dedicated killer, one who would kill Mexicans, whites, or other Indians without compunction. Massai was a warrior killer, always a destroyer, never a builder during these years, whether he later became a productive member among the Apaches remains unknown by the whites. Possibly the Apaches know more, but they aren't talking. Though I have never read of the Apaches at this period of time growing corn, it is said that Geronimo ended his days at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, growing pumpkins and squash.

The movie does a great job for a 1950s venture for both providing entertainment and entering into the semi-historical, fictional area of the Apache Wars. In Arizona Territory of that day violence was done by each side to the other, but it also must be remembered equal amounts of good also existed in some members of both sides. In time both sides needed this war to end. Each viewer will need to decide just what view he or she will take away from this movie.

As the old chief of scouts once said: "that's the story of Massai. It is not as long as his trail."

Semper Fi.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Absolute rubbish!
Comment: This movie is so filled with historical errors that it is nearly impossible to list them all. Granted, Hollywood takes "literary license" but this is beyond pale. From the beginning scenes of "chief" Geronimo riding up carrying a peace pipe (Geronimo was never a chief and the Chiricahua Apache never used smoking pipes)to the end scenes of Massai going off to live a peaceful life. In fact, there was a Chiricahua named Massai who did escape from the prison train but but the rest of the movie is pure 100% unadultrated BS. And in the end, the real Massai was tracked down and killed after he broke out of the Mescalero reservation and his body burned to bone and ashes. For a true account read INDEH by Eve Ball. In Chapter 10 Massai's daughter, Alberta Begay, recounts her father's life and death. Too bad there isn't a -star system for this film would need to be rated there.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Well-intentioned but not entirely successful
Comment: Despite fond childhood memories, Apache has dated badly. One of the vogue for pro-Native American westerns during the mid-50s (Broken Arrow, Devil's Doorway, etc), this is definitely one of the lesser offerings despite the promising pairing of a painfully miscast Burt Lancaster and Robert Aldrich, who would make amends some 20 years later with the remarkable Ulzana's Raid. The script is a prime offender here, both simplistic and patronising, offering little for either man to really get their teeth into. There are a few good moments, but the sight of Lancaster and Morris Ankrum in brownface remains the film's lasting image.

MGM/UA's transfer is acceptable, although the colour system used to shoot the film originally has not held up well and leads to a variable look to the film. The original theatrical trailer - bizarrely played as a breaking news report - is included.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Hollywood and History Collide
Comment: Great movie that shows how the Native Americans were treated and is based somewhat on history itself. There was an Indian named Massai, and a Mr. Wettle, along with Seiber. It is not a history movie, but more of a movie based on the degredation of the Native Americans and one Indians war with them and himself. The ending is one of compromise, but in reality, this was never to be for most of the Apaches.
Burt Lancaster is at his ever popular, ripped body, and makes you believe that he could do all that the true Native American Massai did do.
For some reason this movie has just struck me as one I like to watch when I get tired of everyone else complaining that they have it so hard in life today. Especially some minority groups who did not have it so, or still are, as the Native American.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Thoughtful Lancaster Western
Comment: Apache finds Burt Lancaster not only in his element, as he was a fantastic Western (and a great all-around) movie actor, but finding space to create great sympathy and pathos in this film, one of the earlier films to show Native Americans in a more humane light.

Lancaster plays Massai, who refuses to surrender with Geronimo, and escapes to plan a one-man revolution against the Army and settlers. Along the way, he finds love with Jean Peters and gains the respect of chief Army scout Al Sieber, played by John McIntire.

Lancaster infuses Massai with great dignity and honor, and even though we already know that his cause is bound to fail, we celebrate his triumphs and bemoan his defeats. His character has the kind of nobility that may seem Hollywood inspired, but at the end of the day, he's a man who wants to live as he chooses.

Apache is an excellent film, and a wonderful showcase for Burt Lancaster.

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