Apachen (1973)

Mexico, 1840: Near the American border, Mimbreño Apaches and Mexicans live together peacefully. The Mexicans mine the rich copper deposits in Apache territory and provide the Mimbreños with food in return. But when silver deposits are also discovered in the border region, tensions arise between Mexico and the United States. This eventually leads to a massacre of the Apaches; the surviving Indians then avenge this crime. Near the Mexican town of Santa Rita, close to the American border, the Mimbreño Apaches live peacefully alongside the Mexicans. Rich copper deposits lie in Apache territory. The Mexicans exploit them, and in return the Apaches receive food from them. The mine owner, Ramon, also holds a celebration for the Indians once a year. But huge silver deposits are discovered in the border region by American companies. This draws American scalp hunters to Santa Rita. They secretly place the mine owner under house arrest. The annual celebration takes place as usual, but during the festivities the Americans massacre the unarmed Indians. Only Ulzana and a few other Mimbreños escape. The Mimbreño Apaches then join forces with another Apache tribe. Ulzana sets out with six followers to avenge the massacre of his people. First, they attack the Mexican mine and destroy its supplies. The Mimbreños also pursue the American scalp hunters, and their leader, Johnson, is captured. Meanwhile, the Mexican mine workers flee with their families. In the now-empty mining town, Ulzana ties Johnson up and leaves him there to die of thirst. The following night, the Indians ambush the refugee caravan and the Mexican soldiers accompanying it. They manage to destroy nearly all of their water supplies. The next day, chaos breaks out among the Mexicans, most of whom shoot one another in the fight over the last remaining water. The few Mexicans left alive then scatter and will not return to Indian territory. U.S. Army officer Burton is in Mimbreño territory with a small scouting party, as the United States and Mexico are on the brink of war over the rich silver deposits. They find Johnson tied up and free him before the Apaches return from their attack on the Mexicans. Ulzana therefore has to set out in search of Johnson again. During the pursuit, Ulzana is captured by Johnson and his companions, who whip him. The American scalp hunters have already established a permanent camp in Mexican territory, hoping that the U.S. Army will protect them there because of the United States' economic interests. But when the approaching Apaches surround the camp to free Ulzana, it becomes clear that the U.S. Army is preparing for a fight against the Mexicans and will not intervene. The Apaches attack the scalp hunters and finally avenge the Santa Rita massacre. In a final duel between Ulzana and Johnson, Ulzana stabs Johnson and leaves him in a burning hut.