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Geronimo: An American Legend

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Geronimo: An American Legend

PG-13

Released Dec 10, 1993

1h 55m

History

Drama

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50%

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22 Reviews

51%

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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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Louis Black

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 2.5/5

Jan 1, 2000

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Entertainment Weekly

Rated: D+

Jan 1, 1993

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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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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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jelisije j

A great bio pic of one of the most famous Native American warriors of all time and the collapse of a culture that should never be forgot.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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aqsw d

One of the least known relics of Matt Damon and Robert Duvall. Overall a good movie - worth watching regarding American history. The history of Indians in America is of great importance. The term Indian is not a bad word - it's not politically incorrect. Part Cherokee, I love the word. There is a great respect of all Indians of America. What happened in the history of what is now America was unavoidable, unstoppable, inevitable. To all Indians I offer this small humble encouragement: You are loved by Americans. Your history is rich. You matter. An interesting aspect of America is that most states are Indian names, and Indian names are used throughout America - from states to city names to street names. That is a small bit of evidence of how important all Indians are to America.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

A complex revisionist western without clear heroes or villains. As is typical to a lot of these types of movies from this era, the filmmakers were far enough removed from the past to not lionize it while also not so far ahead that they felt the need to deconstruct everything to pieces. Wes Studi is great here, giving Geronimo a quiet sadness that underscores his resolve.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

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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: History, Drama
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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