Winnetou rides again in West Germany's wildest Western—where railroads meet sacred ground.
The construction of the Great Western Railroad creates heavy conflict between the railway company and neighboring Indian tribes. Worse, criminal gang leader Santer sets his eyes on a gold mine located on holy Indian land and influences the construction supervisor to re-rout the planned railroad straight through Apache land. Old Shatterhand, who works as a measurement technician, discovers the evil plan and searches contact with the Apaches in an effort to avert war.
Cinematography
Yugoslavia standing in for Arizona—surprisingly gorgeous.
Production
Gloriously fake tan 'Native' makeup on European actors.
Practical Effects
Real trains destroyed for your entertainment. Respect.
Director
Harald Reinl
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The Winnetou phenomenon made Karl May's novels a German national obsession—despite May never visiting America. These films shaped European 'understanding' of Native Americans for generations.
Lex Barker was already famous as Tarzan; his casting as Old Shatterhand cemented him as West Germany's top action star. The Yugoslav locations were chosen because they were cheap and looked 'American enough' to European audiences.
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