DVD/BluRay Review: Apache (1954)

Director Robert Aldrich’s first color film, Apache is an action-packed, compelling drama about an Apache warrior played by blue eyed Burt Lancaster, with Jean Peters as his leading lady. It has just been released on blu ray by Kino Lorber.

Lancaster plays Massai, who thwarts Geronimo’s intended peace treaty with the white man, attempting to take on the entire regiment himself. Captured, he escapes from a train and finds himself far from his territory. Meeting up with a member of the Cherokee tribe, he learns how they have learned to plant their own food and get along with the white man. Massai intends to keep his warrior tradition, but soon realize peace is a better way. He returns to his tribe to teach them about living in peace, but because they are warriors, he is betrayed and recaptured. Escaping again, he takes Indian lady Nalinle (Jean Peters) and the two remain on the run from his pursuers.

Unlike many westerns of the period, Apache tells its story from the perspective of the white man. Lancaster hand played a Native American previously in Jim Thorpe: All American, and was attracted to Paul Wellman’s 1936 novel Broncho Apache. He bought the rights to the novel for his own company. Aldrich was new to directing, but Lancaster liked his work, so he was hired to direct Apache. Familiar with the original novel, Aldrich told the story while including bursts of exciting action, while never allowing his film to become rhythmically uneven. He takes full advantage of the beautiful location scenery, and how the widescreen image allowed him to surround his actors in colorful negative space. Ernest Laszlo’s cinematography is typically exceptional.

The budget was originally to be only around $750,000, but since it was made for his own company (with producer Harold Hecht), Lancaster approved as the film exceeded one million dollars. His foresight was good. Apache was a tremendous hit at the box office, earning nearly ten times its production costs. Pleased with Robert Aldrich’s direction, Lancaster arranged for the director to helm his next production with Hecht – Vera Cruz – which was an even bigger hit.

The cast is rounded out with the formidable talents of John McIntire, Charles Bronson, John Dehner, Paul Guilfolye, and Monte Blue in supporting roles.

Kino Lorber’s blu ray shows off the film’s beautiful Technicolor visuals, and the movie itself is highly recommended as one of the stronger westerns of the 1950s; a great decade for the genre.

Apache can be purchased at this link: APACHE