Geronimo

source: Geronimo

Geronimo

Wow - never knew Geronimo had blue eyes... But Chuck Connors definitely had the face - cheek bones, general hatchet visage and kick-ass stance, to play a tough-guy like Geronimo. I just find the whole romantiziation (??) of the story hard to stomach. His side-kick Magnus' New York/Catskills one-liners seemed a bit out of place as well, but whatever. And Batman is in the show! How can you miss it?

That's what the star Chuck Connors brings to this movie i.e. a respect for his character called Geronimo and he pulls it off quite nicely. You want to see a no nonsense leader who was forged by living off the land and does not fear life or death lead his people with dignity. You get that here. There is also an array of bad guys to hate and they really go all out to get you to do it. The hypocrisy, unfair treatment of Indians and the famous "fork tongue" of the white man all displayed very well here. Burt Lancaster took on a similar role in a movie called Apache just as entertaining too. However white men playing in non-white roles only takes us so far. Rock Hudson even tried it as did Charles Bronson and many others. Hey, it was a paycheck! There is some love relief, lots of horse-back riding, Calvary to make it a decent way to pass the time. Snack away, have a tasty drink and enjoy the Rifleman before he became Lucas McCain as Geronimo

This movie is insulting on so many levels. Put aside just how white Geronimo is (possibly the worst casting since John Wayne as Genghis Kahn!) as that is more a product of the times than anything else. However they could have at least tried to give the characters some authenticity, unless anyone else reviewing this movie thinks its perfectly ok to watch Mangus try to offload his 'cousin' on to Geronimo. The way the characters were presented to us they could have cast Abbott and Costello as Mangus and Geronimo. A nothing story. And don't get sucked in to 'this is how movies were made back then'. 1962 saw the release of Lawrence of Arabia, Dr.No, To Kill a Mockingbird!! With the actual story providing a considerable amount to work with, these film makers should hang their heads in shame.

I should admit that I have no idea how accurate this biopic is of the legendary Native American called Geronimo. It's probably just loosely based on the real events surrounding him, so I probably should judge the movie on its entertainment level. I thought for the most part it was an okay western. While I would have preferred a real Native American to play the title role, I have to admit Chuck Connors did well, giving his character an intensity and charisma that keeps you watching and interested despite the script problems. The script problems include the movie not really going deep in his character, and ending at a point that will make you wonder what happened in real life to Geronimo afterwards. But despite these and other script problems, I have to admit that I was never bored, so I'll give this movie a pass.

Although this movie has stale writing, uninspiring acting, and a cheesy plot, an understanding of the Historical context of the film adds much to one's viewing enjoyment. The movie, by no means, claims to be historically accurate (Geronimo is played by a white guy with make-up!), but it is a socially commentary on a century of unmoral and assimilationist Indian Policy in the United States. During the early 1960s President John F. Kennedy proposed a revision of this policy, calling for the recognition of Native Americans as distinct Nations. Kennedy's proposition was a dramatic diversion from the Indain Policy of administrations before him. This movie highlights, the poor conditions of the reservations, the forced conversion of Aboriginals to Christianity, and the policy's attack on the Aboriginal culture and way of life. This historical context, coupled with Adam West (who rocks my socks!) adds to the enjoyment of this film.

Well meaning but wooden story of how Geronimo, with fifty Apaches, came to stand off the U.S. Army. Chuck Conners gives a creditable performance as a wooden Indian, and his soon-to-be real life wife plays the woman who loves him. Most amusing for Ross Martin as a wise-cracking sidekick and Adam West, four years before he became a wooden Batman, as a sympathetic army officer.