Review: Geronimo – An American Legend
Blu-ray: Geronimo – An American Legend (1993)
Geronimo: a name that most people are familiar with (usually as a loud shout before jumping off something), but whose life may not be so well known.
Geronimo – An American Legend takes up the story of the Apache chief as the Apache Indians have reluctantly agreed to settle on a US Government approved reservation.
Not all of them however are keen to settle down as corn farmers on a restricted piece of land allocated to them, all while having to abide by rules enforced upon them which include not leaving their reservation and not being allowed to drink any alcohol.
Pushed beyond his limits when an American soldier shoots dead an Apache medicine man, Geronimo (Wes Studi) leads a group of Apache warriors into the American heartland, evading the soldiers who are trying to track them, as well as bounty hunters looking for some quick money offered for Indian scalps.
The inevitable conclusion of a meeting between Geronimo and his Apache followers with the heads of the American military leads to decisions being made as to whether it can all end peacefully or with more bloodshed.
Director Walter Hill curbs the violence and bad language found in many of his other movies and concentrates on developing the characters through their considered actions and dialogue, all superbly performed by the lead actors Jason Patric, Gene Hackman, Robert Duvall, Matt Damon, Rodney A. Grant and the aformentioned Wes Studi, whose line of “There is plenty of land. Why do you want it all?” resonates just as much today as it would have back then.
The cinematography by Lloyd Ahern II is brought to life in this vibrant High Definition widescreen remaster, highlighting the warm rich tones used to accentuate the beautiful landscapes, with the 5.1 surround sound giving particular punch to the gunshots and breathing life into the haunting score by Ry Cooder.
The special features help to immerse the viewers even more into the “Old West”, with an informative commentary by western experts C Courtney Joyner and Henry Parke being just one of many ways leading you to say “well I never knew that!”
Another superb release from Powerhouse Films in their Indicator series of releases.
INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES
- High Definition remaster
- Original 5.1 surround sound and stereo audio tracks
- Audio commentary with western experts C Courtney Joyner and Henry Parke (2021)
- The Old Days Are Gone (2021, 24 mins): director Walter Hill revisits the production of his epic western
- I Have Seen My Power (2021, 12 mins): actor Wes Studi recalls how he embodied the famous Apache warrior
- Impressions of the West (2021, 13 mins): multi-instrumentalist Ry Cooder remembers the challenges and achievements of composing the film’s score
- The Guardian Interview with Ry Cooder (1995, 72 mins): wide-ranging onstage interview with the guitar legend, conducted by film critic Jonathan Romney, filmed at the National Film Theatre, London
- ‘Geronimo’ présenté par Bertrand Tavernier (2016, 36 mins ): in-depth appreciation of the film by the esteemed French filmmaker
- Geronimo Goes to Hollywood (2020, 18 mins): Kim Newman, the author of Wild West Movies, discusses the many film portrayals of the fearless Native American
- Geronimo’s Last Raid (1912, 15 mins): new remaster of the early silent western, presented with an optional new score by the band Peninsula
- Original theatrical trailer
- Image gallery: promotional and publicity materials
- New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
- Limited edition exclusive 40-page booklet with a new essay by Omar Ahmed, extracts from screenwriter Larry Gross’ shooting diary, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits
- UK premiere on Blu-ray
- Limited edition of 3,000 copies
Geronimo – An American Legend is released on 25th January 2021.
Review by Dave from a disc kindly supplied by Powerhouse Films.
