User Reviews

Loosely based on historical events and following the previous movie "Apachen", "Ulzana" stars Gojko Mitic again as the chief of the Mimbrero tribe. They have peacefully settled in Arizona, where they manage to make such a good harvest they can start selling fruit. This is a thorn in the side of local merchants who quickly find a corrupt army officer named Burton to start some trouble, causing the native Americans to leave their reservation. Burton keeps an eye on Ulzana's beautiful Mexican wife Leona (Renate Blume) to make things more complicated. Yes, you guess right: Ulzana doesn't find that funny ;-). Shot in Uzbekistan (!), this is a western produced 1973 by the DEFA which had gained several years of experience with westerns by then. And it shows. "Ulzana" is a real joy with all ingredients for 90 entertaining minutes. I'd like to recommend it also to those among you who know the kind of westerns shot in Spain, but haven't checked out East German productions before.

Western. The production of the East German film studio DEFA, created with the participation of socialist Romania and the mighty Soviet Union, stars the Yugoslav actor, "Honored Indian of the Soviet Union", Gojko Mitic. A direct continuation of the previous painting "Apache". The ninth picture of twelve that I intend to see and revise. I remember this Western since childhood, because it was played on Channel One during the New Year holidays in the mid-2000s (because then the channel had not yet slipped into nonsense). And here's my brief opinion - Survive at any cost. I will say right away that there are no shortcomings in the picture, but there is a small clarification, which I will highlight in a separate paragraph, but for now let me focus your attention on the merits of this western. So, here they are: 1. Scenario - the picture continues the story of the mighty warrior Ulzan, played by Goiko Mitic. Here he has already become a leader and his tribe lives with the pale-faced in peace, even the US army does not bother them. But Indian efforts and their technical inventions thwart a bunch of corrupt officials who profit from deals between the government and the Indians. Insidious intrigues destroy the world, and Ulzana again has to take up arms in order to save his tribe. The script is exciting, with several twists, perfectly shows the relationship between the pale-faced and the red-skinned, the politics of the United States and even the dastardly insides of American thinking, the basis of which is to take more and more for yourself, and such concepts as "honor", "conscience", " a relic of the past. The final turned out to be ambiguous, with victories and defeats, joy and grief. I enjoyed the story told. 2. Nature - like the painting "Apaches", was filmed in the Uzbek Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, where the nature and climate are very similar to the Southwest of the United States. And until a certain moment I did not feel the substitution, until the houses and buildings reminded me of the painting "White Sun of the Desert", but oh well. The landscapes are beautiful, you admire them and at the same time follow the history. And the operator has not lost his grip, and skillfully selects the best shots from an aesthetic point of view. 3. Entourage - atmosphere, costumes, scenery - everything is saturated with this historical era a little more than completely. The uniforms of the US soldiers are as authentic as the Apache clothing. The scenery, although not striking in scale (which is not here), enhances the immersion of the viewer. 4. Music - well, it hasn't changed in any way (or so it seemed to me), because I haven't heard a single new composition, but I will praise the music itself, because it perfectly conveys the atmosphere and will highlight the most important moments in this western. I don't want to listen to this music separately, but within the framework of the picture it is it. 5. Fights, chases, shootings - blood was brought in, but in moderation, all these scenes look good, the viewer believes in what is happening. The scenes are dramatic, dynamic and spectacular, especially in the finale. And the production did not lose its face. A little about the main characters: 1. Ulzana performed by Goiko Mitich is the leader of the Apache tribe and a mighty warrior, ready to defend his people at any moment. Honest with pale-faced, but experience taught him to always expect a trick from them. He proves himself as an experienced tactician and excellent strategist, literally outplaying the US military. Acts boldly, quickly and efficiently, thus confusing his enemies. Well, and the tricks that Goiko performed on his own, not forgetting to show the acting. Bravo Goiko! 2. Nana performed by Kolya Rautu is an old warrior of the Apache tribe, whose experience and knowledge always help Ulzana, and all Apaches in these difficult times. The old tiger can still bite, and even die. The actor looked no less convincing on the screen than his character. 3. Captain Burton, performed by Hoppe Rolf, is a corrupt military man who has traded honest service for you know what. Selfish, greedy, insatiable. I am ready to go to the meanest act in order to achieve my goals. Hoppe again got the role of a villain, and he again coped with it brilliantly. Bravo! Well, of course, today the fights, chases and shootings do not seem as exciting as it was in the year the film was released, but we will make a discount on the release time. Well, next time Goiko Mitic will become the brother of the pale-faced soldier, and together they will have a series of tests, where this brotherhood will undergo a severe test. It will be in the movie "Blood Brothers" As a result, we have a good western with the irreplaceable Goiko Mitic, with an excellent script, great surroundings, good music and memorable acting works.