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"Two Times 'Geronimo''': Changes in the Representation of Native American History in Film

  • Heike Bungert

Abstract

This paper investigates how far historical developments and the New Indian History influenced Hollywood movies. As a case study it looks at Geronimo (1962) and Geronimo: An American Legend (1993). The movie Geronimo, the first more sympathetic treatment of the Apache leader, is barely interested in historical events, puts most of the blame for Geronimo's 1885 breakout on corrupt whites, and, in a happy ending, portrays Geronimo as slowly converting to white ways. Geronimo: An American Legend, filmed after twenty years of Native American struggle for their. rights, uses American Indian actors, has them speak in Apache, and is historically more accurate; yet, it does not focus on Geronimo but portrays instead his chase by white Americans as well as their (and the audience's) efforts to co me to grips with their guilt. The Apaches are presented as noble, heroic Indians vanishing in an inevitable dash of cultures. Although progress has been made in portraying Native Americans and their culture in film, the Hollywood view is still deficient.

Online erschienen: 2014-4-15
Erschienen im Druck: 2005-7-1

© 2014 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin/Boston

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