Geronimo: An American Legend (1993)

Wes Studi is Geronimo, who has finally agreed to surrender to Brig. Gen. George Crook (Gene Hackman).

Lots of settlers would like to see him hang instead. So Crook sends a detail that includes Lt. Charles Gatewood (Jason Patric) and Lt. Britton Davis (Matt Damon) to escort Geronimo back safely.

They accomplish the mission, despite the interference of a posse determined to take Geronimo for their own.

Geronimo turns over his weapons to Crook, and the Chiricahua Apache are settled on a reservation where they’re expected to grow corn.

Some of the Apache adapt. They’re tired of war, realizing the reservation means life over death.

Geronimo is restless. And his restlessness is stirred by the prophecy of a medicine man called The Dreamer, who dreams include elimination of the white eyes and a return to the old way of life for he Chiricahua.

Sent to deal with The Dreamer, a cavalry patrol winds up shooting him down instead and a full-scale battle ensues.

Geronimo winds up leading a small warband off the reservation, plundering and killing on a bloody path to Mexico.

As a result, Crook is forced to resign. Gen. Nelson Miles (Kevin Tighe) takes his place.

And Lt. Gatewood finds himself on the trail of Geronimo again, this time accompanied by Davis, Apache scout Chato and chief of scouts Al Sieber (Robert Duvall).

Jason Patric as Lt. Charles Gatewood, order to find Geronimo, then convince him to surrender in Geronimo, An American Legend (1993)

Wes Studi as Geronimo, talking war or surrender with Lt. Charles Gatewood in Geronimo, An American Legend (1993)

Review:

Well-acted, well-done story of Geronimo’s final days, featuring larger scale cavalry vs. Indian skirmishes than you’ll typically see in later Westerns.

All that said, the film was a box office bomb. Perhaps partly because TNT aired its version of the Geronimo story just a week before this week’s release.

Director Walter Hill also complained about the title, saying the film should have been called “The Geronimo War” since its focus wasn’t solely on Geronimo.

It’s a valid point. Wes Studi, in the Geronimo role, is only fourth bill on the cast list.

Just as much of the focus is on Gatewood, who’s family sought for the South in the Civil War, who was encouraged to wear the blue by his father and who forms a sort of friendship for Geronimo.

In Hackman, we’re presented a cavalry commander who seems to truly care about the future of the Apache. Miles is far less concerned, and doesn’t hesitate to make false promises if it accomplishes his mission.

Perhaps the best role falls to Robert Duvall as cavalry scout Sieber. If he were an Apache, he says, he’d be fighting right alongside Geronimo. Since he’s not, he wants his side to prevail. Even if that means killing every last Apache.

Gene Hackman as Brig. Gen. George Crook, negotiating a surrender of Geronimo that doesn’t last in Geronimo, An American Legend (1993)

Matt Damon at Lt. Britton Davis, the young officer who accompanies Gatewood during the Geronimo campaign in Geronimo, An American Legend (1993)

Directed by:
Walter Hill

Cast:
Jason Patric … Lt. Charles Gatewood
Gene Hackman … Brig. Gen. George Crook
Robert Duvall … Al Sieber
Wes Studi … Geronimo
Matt Damon … Lt. Britton Davis
Rodney A. Grant … Mangas
Kevin Tighe … Brig. Gen. Nelson Miles
Steve Reevis … Chato
Carlos Palomino … Sgt. Turkey
Victory Aaron … Ulzana
Stuart Proud Eagle Grant … Sgt. Dutchy
Stephen McHattie … Schoonover
John Finn … Capt. Hentig
Lee de Broux … Marshal Joe Hawkins
Rino Thunder … Old Nana
Hoke Howell … Billy Pickett
Roger Callard … Sgt. Mulrey

Runtime: 115 min.

Robert Duvall as Al Sieber, tracking Geronimo and his Apache band in Geronimo, An American Legend (1993)

Kevin Tighe as Brig. Gen. Nelson Miles, ordering Gatewood to find Geronimo when his men can’t in Geronimo, An American Legend (1993)

Memorable lines:

Lt. Charles Gatewood: “How’s the life of a farmer.”
Geronimo: “Some Apaches are good farmers. Others miss the old way. I’m not good farmer, Gatewood.”

Al Sieber to Lt. Gatewood: “I just figure you’re a real sad case. You don’t love who you’re fightin’ for. And you don’t hate who you’re fightin’ against.”
Lt. Gatewood: “Perhaps I could learn to hate with the proper vigor from you, Al.”

Brig. Gen. George Crook: “The Apache were doing fine farming corn. The problem was Geronimo. I knew Cochise. He was a king. He was a wise ruler of his people. I knew Victorio. He was a proud leader. And I know Geronimo, who doesn’t want to lead or rule or be wise. He just wants to fight.”

Brig. Gen. Nelson Miles, who Lt. Davis complains about the treatment of the Apache: “I hate an idealist. There’s always something messy about them.”

Wes Studi as Geronimo and Jason Patric as Lt. Charles Gatewood try to scare off a posse intent on hanging the Apache chief in Geronimo, An American Legend (1993)

Steve Reevis as Chato, an Apache cavalry scout threatened by scalphunters in Geronimo, An American Legend (1993)

RIno Thunder as Old Nana, a Chiricahua Apache who prefers the reservation to war in Geronimo, An American Legend (1993)

Wes Studi as Geronimo, turning over his rifle to Brig. Gen. George Crook in a sign of surrender in Geronimo, An American Legend (1993)