Apachen (Apaches)

1973, color, 98 min. Feature/Western
Dir.: Gottfried Kolditz
Script: Gojko Mitic, Gottfried Kolditz
Camera: Helmut Bergmann
Music: Hans-Dieter Hosalla
Cast: Gojko Mitic, Milan Beli, Colea Rautu, Leon Niemczyk, Gerry Wolff, Rolf Hoppe
VHS-NTSC, English subtitles:
DVD-NTSC, English subtitles:

Synopsis:

In 1822, the Mimbreno Apache Indians enter into an agreement with a Mexican mining company, relinquishing all mining rights and guaranteeing the safety of the copper town of Santa Rita del Cobre as well as its access roads. In return, the company guarantees the livelihood of the Indians, who had hardly any hunting grounds left at the time. However, American companies are also interested in the precious metal deposits. Under their orders, mining engineer and geologist Johnson attempts to expel the Mimbrenos. When the annual food rations are handed out in Santa Rita, Johnson commits a massacre amongst the Indians with an army cannon. For this savage slaughter, he receives a huge reward. Ulzana, a young Mimbreno warrior, assuming the role as chief, now leads the few survivors to a neighboring Apache Indian tribe in order to avenge the atrocity perpetrated against his people. During the attack on the American settlement, a life-and-death struggle ensues between Johnson and Ulzana. Based upon original documents and set at the beginning of the Mexican-American War (1846-48), Apaches is one of fourteen "Indianerfilme" produced in East Germany between 1966 and 1985.