Geronimo: An American Legend

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Geronimo: An American Legend

PG-13

1993

1h 55m

Drama

History

Western

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Popcornmeter

52%

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21 Reviews

52%

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5,000+ Ratings

Following the expansion of the United States into the Southwest, the Apache Indians are forced onto a reservation to live out their lives as lowly corn farmers. While many resign themselves to this fate, several Apache, including Geronimo (Wes Studi), refuse to go quietly. Hoping to quell a major rebellion, General Charles Crook (Gene Hackman) dispatches over 5,000 U.S. Cavalry soldiers, led by Lieutenant Charles Gatewood (Jason Patric), to hunt down Geronimo and his men.

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Critics Consensus

Geronimo: An American Legend fails to stir the soul, though its sweeping visuals and historical ambitions mark an intelligent change of pace for director Walter Hill.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

A film of great beauty and considerable intelligence.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Mitchell Beaupre

Paste Magazine

It’s impressive how Walter Hill’s Westerns consistently come from a place of critical revisionism towards the Hollywood standard of American exceptionalism.

Rated: 8/10

Sep 29, 2023

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A miscast Jason Patric tackles his role as a combination of a Brando impersonator and a guy who merely needs a nap.

Rated: 2/4

Aug 23, 2021

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Brian D. Johnson

Maclean's Magazine

Gerónimo attempts to combine the classical and the correct-with mixed results.

Feb 5, 2020

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Ed Travis

Cinapse

It's Geronimo's rage against the inevitable which is the film's heartbeat and greatest strength.

Oct 31, 2018

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Malcolm Johnson

Hartford Courant

Despite the film's visual and aural splendors, Geronimo fails to achieve its noble ambitions. Only a totally committed Western lover will be able to watch it without wanting, at times, to shout Geronimo and bail out.

May 22, 2018

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Mary S

A stirring reminder of the American military past. Wes Studi played a magnificent Geronimo.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/04/25

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Gary J.

What is there not to love about this film? Star packed, amazing story, conflict at its finest, amazing cinematography. And has significant historical context. Just enjoyed this film from beginning to end. Even a very young Matt Damon delivers. Watch this movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/14/25

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Farah R

Long, boring, and uneventful, this biopic fails to honor the memory of one of American history’s most prominent warriors. The point of the film gets muddled by unnecessary dialogue and dragging scenes that serve no purpose beyond looking cool.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

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Daniel N

Very slow. Far too much standing around talking and not enough action.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/10/25

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Dom

How is this a 50% on Rotten when Dances with Wolves is 85%? If anything. this is a more balanced representation of the Natives and the US Army than Dances with Wolves. Shows what society wants to learn instead at the end of the day. The movie's theme of no one winning at the end of a war is miles more Enlightening than another complaint of Matt Damon's acting. This is a pretty decent film. I thought both the Natives and the US Army were portrayed with great nuance. Damon's acting is a little unconvincing but is serviceable for the plot as a whole. The movie's a little slow at points though. The ending is a little contrived, but it is a good film overall.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/18/23

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David H

As is usually the case the critics are wrong.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/01/24

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Walter Hill

Director

Wes Studi

Geronimo

Jason Patric

Lt. Charles Gatewood

Robert Duvall

Al Sieber

Gene Hackman

Brig. Gen. George Crook

Matt Damon

Lt. Britton Davis

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Synopsis

Following the expansion of the United States into the Southwest, the Apache Indians are forced onto a reservation to live out their lives as lowly corn farmers. While many resign themselves to this fate, several Apache, including Geronimo (Wes Studi), refuse to go quietly. Hoping to quell a major rebellion, General Charles Crook (Gene Hackman) dispatches over 5,000 U.S. Cavalry soldiers, led by Lieutenant Charles Gatewood (Jason Patric), to hunt down Geronimo and his men.

Director: Walter Hill
Producer: Neil Canton, Walter Hill
Screenwriter: John Milius, Larry Gross
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama, History, Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 10, 1993, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.4M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Surround

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