Apache (film)

Apache is a 1954 American western film directed by Robert Aldrich and starring Burt Lancaster. The film was based on the novel Broncho Apache by Paul Wellman, which was published in 1936.[4] It was Aldrich's first color film.

For other films called The Apache, see Apache (disambiguation) § Film.
Apache
Directed byRobert Aldrich
Produced byHarold Hecht
Written byJames R. Webb
Based onnovel Broncho Apache by Paul Wellman
StarringBurt Lancaster
Music byDavid Raksin
CinematographyErnest Laszlo
Edited byAlan Crosland Jr.
Production
company
Hecht-Lancaster
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release date
July 9, 1954
Running time
87 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1,240,000[1] or $1 million[2]
Box office$10 million (US/Canada)
1.2 million tickets (France)[3]

Premise

Following the surrender of Geronimo, Massai, the last Apache warrior is captured and scheduled for transportation to a Florida reservation. On the way he manages to escape and heads for his homeland to win back his girl and settle down to grow crops. His pursuers have other ideas, though.

Cast

Production

In April 1952 Burt Lancaster announced he would star in a film based on the novel, to be produced by himself and Harold Hecht. Lancaster had previously played an Indian in Jim Thorpe – All-American.[5]

For four years Lancaster and Hecht had been based at Warner Bros. However in June 1953 they announced they would make two films with United Artists, starting with Apache.[6][7] The film would be the first in a series of movies Lancaster made for United Artists.[2] It was originally budgeted at $742,000.[8]

In July 1953 the producers hired Robert Aldrich as a director.[9] Aldrich says this was on the back of his second feature as director, World for Ransom, along with the fact that he had previously worked for Hecht-Lancaster on other movies as an assistant and had tried to buy the original novel himself.[10]

The ending of the novel featured the leading character killed by US troops. "Of course, United Artists and Hecht became apprehensive of that so called down-beat ending," said Aldrich. "I made noise but they didn't hear me; then you go through the steps but you know they're going to use that happy ending."[10]

Shooting

Filming started 19 October 1953 in Sonora, after a week of rehearsal.[11] Lancaster tore a ligament while filming a horse scene on the film.[12] He returned to filming relatively quickly.[13]

Reception

Box office

The film was a big hit, earning over $3 million in theatrical rentals during its first year of release and $6 million in overall North American rentals. Aldrich subsequently directed Hecht-Lancaster's next film, Vera Cruz.[14]

The film earned $3.25 million in American and Canadian rentals during 1954,[15] and it went on to generate total gross receipts of $10 million in the United States and Canada.[3] In France, the film sold 1,216,098 tickets at the box office.[16]

Critical

The film currently has a 75% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[17]

See also

References
  1. Alain Silver and James Ursini, Whatever Happened to Robert Aldrich?, Limelight, 1995 p 234
  2. Tino Balio, United Artists: The Company That Changed the Film Industry, University of Wisconsin Press, 1987 p. 79
  3. "Apache (1954)". JP's Box-Office (in French). Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  4. BOOKS RECEIVED: ANTHOLOGIES The Scotsman 15 Oct 1936: 13.
  5. Looking at Hollywood: Burt Lancaster Awarded Role of Indian in 'Bronco Apache' Chicago Daily Tribune 14 Apr 1952: d3
  6. BURT LANCASTER MAKES U. A. DEAL: Movie Star and His Partner, Harold Hecht, Find a New Outlet for Productions By THOMAS M. PRYOR New York Times 24 June 1953: 30.
  7. Looking at Hollywood: Lancaster Gets Indian Role in 'Bronco Apache' Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune2 Dec 1952: a5.
  8. Kate Buford, Burt Lancaster: An American Life, Da Capo 2000 p 137
  9. ALDRICH TO DIRECT FOR NORMA STUDIO: Former Production Assistant Achieves Goal on 'Bronco Apache' With Lancaster New York Times 1 Aug 1953: 8.
  10. mr. film noir stays at the table Silver, Alain. Film Comment; New York Vol. 8, Iss. 1, (Spring 1972): 14-23.
  11. REPUBLIC TO FILM 'THE BIG WHISPER': Virginia Van Upp Will Write and Produce Drama Under New Studio Financing Policy New York Times 1 Oct 1953: 34.
  12. Lancaster Limping, but Production Plans Spurt; Glynis Will 'Interrupt' Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times27 Oct 1953: B9.
  13. BRONCHO' ON LOCATION: Charting the New Course of the Latest Hecht-Lancaster Independent Picture By WILLIAM H. BROWNELL JR. New York Times 27 Dec 1953: X7.
  14. Kate Buford, Burt Lancaster: An American Life, Da Capo 2000 p 140
  15. 'The Top Box-Office Hits of 1954', Variety Weekly, January 5, 1955
  16. French box office results for Robert Aldrich films at Box Office Story
  17. Apache Rotten Tomatoes
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