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Film / Winnetou I
aka: Apache Gold

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Apache Gold, aka Winnetou, 1st part (1963) is a film adaptation based on novels by Karl May. It was directed by Harald Reinl, starring Lex Barker as Old Shatterhand, Pierre Brice as Winnetou and Mario Adorf as Frederick Santer. It is the second film of the series, but chronologically it's a Prequel to The Treasure of Silver Lake.

The tribe of the Apaches possesses a big hoard of gold. The first scene of the movie shows Winnetou, son of the chief, handing a sack of gold to a young Indian, who is supposed to deliver it. Santer, villain of the story, tries to get the information out of the Indian guy. Unsuccessfully, because one of his Mooks shoots the Indian when he spits in Santer's face.

The Apaches have one more problem to deal with; the railroad company is building right through their land, but they can't risk a clash, because a war would probably wipe them out.

Meanwhile a young German engineer who has the nickname 'Old Shatterhand' is escorting a trek of covered wagons with firearms and firewater, both very sought after by the Indians. Shortly before the same attack, three westmen warn them. Sam Hawkens is explaining to Shatterhand that, although he has a very nice gun, he is still a very green Greenhorn. We learn soon after that Shatterhand is anything but a greenhorn, in the following Chase Scene he proves he is a true badass.

Shatterhand and his trek reach the town, where Santer is the most important man and also the one who altered the plans for the railroad, so he could win some hundred thousand dollar for himself. Shatterhand visits him because he is employed by the Great Western Company to check on why the route is changed.

Soon after that he meets Winnetou for the first time and the rest of the film is him fighting Indians, becoming friend with Indians, falling in love with Nscho-Tschi ('Beautiful Day'), Winnetou's sister and several gunfights, in which people participate who let themselves be shot conveniently easily.


Tropes:

  • Blood from the Mouth: Klekih-petra, an old man, a white father to the Indians when he's murdered by Santer. He doesn't die immediately.
  • The Chief's Daughter: Nscho-tschi is Intschu-tschuna's daughter and Winnetou's sister. Intschu-tschuna is the chief of Apaches and Winnetou his successor. She falls for Old Shatterhand who returns her affection though their love mostly stayed unresolved and undeclared.
  • The Cutie: Nscho-tschi, Winnetou's sister is the cutest girl with big brown eyes and gorgeous raven hair. She's lovely, sweet and caring. She's also a bright and clever girl with desire to go to school and learn as much as possible.
  • Death Is Dramatic:
    • Klekih-petra who is murdered by Santer begs Winnetou to save peace.
    • One of Old Shatterhand's friends lives long enough to tell him what to do.
  • Died in Your Arms Tonight: Old Shatterhand holds Nscho-Tschi in his arms as she lays dying. She manages to say a few words in her tongue. Winnetou says she wanted peace for them. In the Czech dub, Winnetou said "she loved you" to which he replied "I loved her too" — a thing they never said to each other while she lived.
    • Nscho-tschi, though it looked like she was dead already, but she woke up for a brief and heart-breaking moment.
  • Dies Wide Open: Nscho-Tschi. Old Shatterhand closes her eyelids and kisses her forehead.
  • I Have Many Names: Old Shatterhand, also known as Charlie, or Pokay-Mu among Indians. Sam Hawkens keeps calling him Greenhorn.
  • Kill the Cutie: Poor sweet little Nscho-Tschi. Hearts get broken and tears are shed.
  • Loves Only Gold: This is Santer's motivation.
  • Plucky Comic Relief: The photographer for the Oxford Times Tuff-Tuff ("Very lovely!")
  • Riding into the Sunset: Winnetou and Old Shaterhand at the end of the movie ride into the sunset very slowly because the ending was very sad.
  • Stuff Blowing Up: The locomotive sent into a saloon.

Alternative Title(s): Apache Gold

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