I remember this movie being released when I was 11 years-old and so I find it surprising that I had never seen it before, seeing as I used to watch practically any and every film that came out at the time. Furthermore, I've always considered Walter Hill to be an underrated director and was curious to see what else he could do with the western after The Long Riders (1980). Here he deals with the 'true' story of Geronimo (Wes Studi), the last of the Apache rebels to oppose being relocated to a reservation by the United States army. Powerful in its depiction of the brutal treatment of native Americans and the beautiful land that was rightfully theirs, Geronimo is a great exploration of the prejudiced ignorance that lies in the heart of men, unforunately overcome only by a handful of people. Seen through the eyes of narrator Lt. Britton Davis (Matt Damon), the give-and-take nature of the Apache conflict is the cause for many violent battles, the insincere promises of the American government regenerating hatred that had temporarily been subdued. The idea of loyalty is also questioned through the relationship between the fighting Apaches and the assimilated scouts working for the army. While no creative endeavor can totally be considered hisorically accurate, the inclusion of recorded events, such as the photography session of the negotiations between Geronimo and General Crooke (Gene Hackman), adds much weight and credibility to a film that could have easily been just another action film (incidentally the historical accuracy seems to be more emphasized than in The Long Riders). More than engaging horse-back shoot-outs and breathtaking landscapes, Geronimo offers a revealing glimpse into a morally shady period of American history which, unfortunately, most people are too quick to forget.
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