GERONIMO: AN AMERICAN LEGEND
US, 1993, 95 minutes, Colour.
Gene Hackman, Jason Patric, Robert Duvall, Matt Damon, Wes Studi, Kevin Tighe, Stephen Mc Hattie.
Directed by Walter Hill.
Geronimo: An American Legend came from a period in Hollywood fim-making where there was some revisionist look at the interaction between Americans and the Native American Indians. Already by 1950, there had been a breakthrough in a respect for the Indians in such films as The Devil’s Doorway and Broken Arrow. This was to continue and around 1970 there was another look, in the light of the Vietnam experience, at the interaction between Indians and the military, Soldier Blue and Little Big Man.
In the early 90s there was another look at the cowboys as well, two films on Wyatt Earp (Wyatt Earp and Tombstone) and Walter Hill made Wild Bill, another look at Wild Bill Hickock.
Wes Studi brings great dignity and strength to the character of Geronimo. Geronimo led an Apache group of renegades against the military, surrendered, was caught up in a stupid action when the American military fired on a shaman. Once again, he was pursued and finally surrendered, finishing his life in a prison in Florida, living there for twenty-two years.
Robert Duvall appears as a tracker. Gene Hackman is the commanding officer. Jason Patrick is the lead – a soldier who had a bond with Geronimo and brought him in twice. The film is narrated by a character played by Matt Damon, who had appeared in School Ties, was to appear in Courage Under Fire and soon to have a very successful career after Good Will Hunting.
The director is Walter Hill, best known for writing and directing action films.
1.The 1990s and the new look at the west, the revision of history about cowboys, about Indians, about the military and the interaction with the Indians?
2.The history of the 19th century, the American pioneers moving west, the American government, the military? The Indians and their way of life, not able to withstand the military? The wars? The raids? The Indians being moved to the reservations? Prison? Issues of justice and conscience in American history? The role of films like this in alerting audiences to the past?
3.The title, the focus on Geronimo, the truth about him, a legend? The sadness of the ending, the long shot of the train leaving Arizona and taking the Indians to prison and exile in Florida?
4.The Arizona and Mexico settings? The use of the Utah locations? The beauty and ruggedness of the vistas, the desert, the mesas, the mountains? The pervading orange and red colours? Ochre tone? The musical score?
5.The history of the Apaches, a thousand years way of life, their being rounded up? American politicians, treaties, the military carrying out the orders? Prejudice and violence against the Indians? The wars, surrenders? Avoidable incidents leading to long-term consequences?
6.The portrait of the Apaches, their tribal life, Geronimo and the warriors? The scout and his working for the military, the hostile attitudes towards him from the Indians? Geronimo, the raids, the scouting party, his decision to surrender? A new life, dignity, the respect from Gatewood, from Crook, from Bishop? His sharing with them on the journey back to the camp? His asking for Bishop to be in charge of the reservation? The shaman, the incident, the shooting? The Indians fleeing, Geronimo leading raids? The devastating effect? The military wanting a confrontation? Urging him to come in, Miles sending Gatewood? The lies and the promises? His imprisonment, twenty-two years? The portrait of Geronimo?
7.The contrast with the scout, his working for the military, loyal, acting as interpreter? Treatment by the military? Close to Gatewood? The clashes with the other Indians? His going to get Geronimo? The scouts being humiliated, no longer needed, surrendering their guns – and his objection? On the train, the taunts against him? Geronimo saying that they all should be united as a minority?
8.Crook, his military life, orders and policy, administering the law, getting Gatewood to find Geronimo, appointing Bishop? Receiving Geronimo, the respectful treatment, the hopes? The ball and the news of the incident – and his being replaced?
9.The contrast with Miles, a strong personality, tough, disciplinarian, treatment of the officers, attitude towards the Indians? His talking to Gatewood, the secret discussions, the lies about bringing Geronimo in? Bishop confronting him as he resigned?
10.Bishop, from Texas, his age, giving the voice-over, the perspective on Geronimo and the military? His years at West Point? His pride? With the Indians, discussions with Crook? The friendship with Gatewood, admiration, learning from him, the details of the mission, the surrender? In charge of the reservation? The incident and the consequences? Accompanying Gatewood again to bring Geronimo back? Sharing the experience? His disgust, his resignation?
11.Gatewood, the loner, friendship with the Indians, understanding them? Friendship with Bishop, communicating his skills, educating him? The mission, the desert, finding Geronimo? Bringing him back? The change, the discussions with Miles, the second mission? The lies – and his going alone to Wyoming?
12.The background of military life, the violent confrontations with the Indians, the fights, the deaths of so many military and Indians? The change of life in the west? The 19th century price for the United States? Winners and losers?
