History Film / Apache

* ThrowingTheDistraction: When returning to the mine, Massai throws a rock to draw one of the soldiers out of hiding so he can shoot him. Later, while hiding in the cornfield, he throws his empty rifle to distract Sieber, and the tackles him.

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.

* ThrowawayGuns: During his final confrontation with the Army, Massai empties his Peacemaker at a group of scouts, then throw the empty gun at them, and then launches himself at the group. Justified because Massai is a DeathSeeker at this point and isn't expecting to survive the confrontation.

* VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory: There really was a renegade Apache warrior named Massai (a.k.a. "[[TheTropeKid the Apache Kid]]") who waged a campaign of terror across the US southwest on the late 1880s, and he was pursued by Al Sieber, Chief of Scouts for the 6th Cavalry. However, most the events of the film--including Massai's attack on Geronimo's surrender, and the mawkish sentimental ending--are complete fabrications.

* VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory: There really was a renegade Apache warrior named Massai (a.k.a. "[[TheTropeKid the Apache Kid]]") who waged a campaign of terror across the US southwest on the late 1880s, and he was pursued by Al Sieber, Chief of Scouts for the 6th Cavalry. However, most the events of the film--including Massai's attack on Geronimo's surrender, and mawkish sentimental ending--are complete fabrications.

''Apache'' is a 1954 American western film directed by Creator/RobertAldrich and starring Creator/BurtLancaster. The film was based on the novel ''Broncho Apache'' by Paul Wellman, which was published in 1936. It was Aldrich's first color film.

* {{Brownface}}: All of the Native American characters are played by white actors in makeup. For some, like the already swarthy Creator/CharlesBronson, this is not too jarring. However, for others like the blue-eyed Creator/BurtLancaster--and especially the redheaded, green-eyed Jean Peters--it does not work at all.

* HandyCuffs: The shackles on Massai's wrists when he is being transported have enough length of chain between them that he is able to throw round Weddle during his escape; pinning Weddle's arms to his side. Massai then draws Weddle's gun from his holster and shoots the shotgun guard. He then uses the chain to choke Weddle into unconsciousness.

* ThrowawayGuns: During his final confrontation with the Army, Massai empties his Peacemaker at a group of scouts, then throw the empty gun at them, and then launching himself at the group. Justified because Massai is a DeathSeeker at this point and isn't expecting to survive the confrontation.

* {{Brownface}}: All of the Native American characters are played by white actors in makeup. For some, like the alreasy swarthy Creator/CharlesBronson, this is not too jarring. However, for others like the blue-eyed Creator/BurtLancaster--and especially the redheaded, green-eyed Jean Peters--it does not work at all.

* HistoricalHeroUpgrade: Massai and Al Sieber are portrayed as {{Worthy Opponent}}s who happen to be fighting on opposites of the conflict. Neither is as purely heroic as the film portrays them. Massai was more outlaw that freedom fighter and, unlike the film, did not restrict his attacks to the US Army. He robbed, murdered and (according to some accounts) raped civilians. Sieber is known to have perjured himself to ensure Massai recieved a heavier sentence.

* HistoricalDomainCharcater: Massai, Geronimo, and Al Sieber are all historical figures.

* DeathSeeker: Massai is this at the start of the film: attacking the surrender in the hopes that he will be killed and die a warrior. Instead, he is captured and shipped in chains to Florida.

* TavelMontage: The progress of the train taking Geronimo and the braves to Florida is depicted by shots of the train superimposed over a map with a dotted line showing the train's route.