The Winnetou films from the 1960s have long been part of German cultural heritage. The first part in particular from 1963, which tells the prequel to The Treasure in Silver Lake, is one of the five most successful German cinema films of all time.
Winnetou is shown on ZDFNeo on Tuesday evenings. The last time it happened was in 2022 controversial discussion all about the legendary film character.
That’s what Winnetou is all about
The Winnetou films are based on the novel series by the German writer Karl May. The 1963 film adaptation focuses on brutal clashes between Indians and construction companies surrounding a new railway line. The American worker Old Shatterhand (Lex Barker) recognizes the injustice of the project and teams up with the Apache leader Winnetou (Pierre Brice) to help the natives against the exploitation of their land.
According to InsideKino, it’s a western the fifth most successful German film of all time. Back then, over 10.4 million people went to the cinema to see Winnetou.
The Winnetou controversy from 2022
Last year, Ravensburger Verlag removed a new children’s book from its range that was supposed to be published at the start of the film The Young Chief Winnetou. The film was no longer a direct Karl May adaptation.
The publisher received a lot of criticism because of the book reproduce racist and colonial stereotypes would. The controversy sparked a major discussion about whether the Winnetou material is still relevant today.
When will Winnetou be on TV?
ZDFNeo broadcasts the first Winnetou film October 3, 2023 at 8:15 p.m out of. Parts 2 and 3 follow immediately afterwards, as well as The Treasure in the Silver Lake at 12:50 a.m.
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