A Frenchman Borne by Destiny to Play Winnetou
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Becoming Legendary under the Name Winnetou - Winnetou Transforms into a Legendary Figure
Legend has it that a divine intervention was needed to recreate Winnetou for the silver screen. This celestial event transpired when a German film producer met a young, attractive Frenchman, molding him into the legendary Apache chief. Even if it wasn't altogether politically correct.
My Winnetou Has Arrived!
The stars must have aligned when a man like Horst Wendlandt (1922-2002), a deity of German cinema, set off to transform not only the crime novels of Edgar Wallace (1875-1932) but also the adventure novels of Saxon writer Karl May (1842-1912) into film. One fateful day, Wendlandt laid eyes on a striking Frenchman and declared, "That's my Winnetou!"
In an astonishing turn of events 63 years ago, Pierre Brice (1929-2015) ascended to the role of Winnetou, forever immortalized in the hearts of millions. His passing on June 6, 2015, is commemorated this year.
Pierre Brice became a symbol in German-speaking countries through the Karl May films. His life's story is as captivating as the tales he brought to life on screen.
A Military Man of French Heritage
Born Pierre Louis Baron le Bris on February 6, 1929, in the Breton port city of Brest, Brice hailed from a distinguished lineage. His father was a naval officer perpetually at sea, and his mother raised him and his older sister Yvonne in a strict, patriotic household.
At just 11 years old, war arrived on his doorstep. German troops invaded France in the summer of 1940. Brice's father joined the Resistance, and the young man followed suit, becoming a messenger for the various resistance groups at 15. Such actions demanded great courage, as any misstep would likely result in his capture and execution by the occupying forces.
After the war, Brice enlisted in the military, serving as a frogman and later, a paratrooper, before heading off to Indochina (present-day Vietnam) for four years. He returned to civilian life in 1951, decorated with three bravery medals and yearning for the camaraderie of military life.
An Unconventional Career in Acting
Brice aspired to become an actor, much to his father's confusion. Nevertheless, he persevered, attending acting lessons in Paris and eventually changing his name to Pierre Brice. When the coveted opportunities failed to materialize, he resorted to peddling typewriters, modeling for photo novels, and even performing as an acrobatic dancer for an artist troupe.
In 1954, he landed his first film role in "Hard Fists - Hot Blood." Though minor, it represented the first step on a long journey. Theater performances and genuine film roles soon followed. But success proved elusive, as the scene was dominated by a charismatic Frenchman named Alain Delon (1935-2024), who shared both a resemblance and a rivalry with Brice. Consequently, Brice found his acting opportunities limited, working mainly in Italy and Spain.
Fate prevailed in 1962 when Pierre Brice's Spanish film, "Los Atracadores,"showcased at the Berlin Film Festival. There, producer Horst Wendlandt chanced upon him, as fate would have it, as preparations for his first Karl May film were underway. The script for "The Treasure of the Silver Lake" was ready, and he already had the actor for Old Shatterhand—the blond, muscle-bound American Lex Barker (1919-1973), renowned for his Tarzan films. Wendlandt now looked for the second lead, Old Shatterhand's Pureblood Apache brother, Winnetou.
In the annals of Karl May, "His face was nobly cut, almost Roman, the complexion a dull olive with a bronze tinge." Wendlandt espied an agile Frenchman in Pierre Brice and knew he had found his chief.
The Frenchman Becomes the Apache Chief
Unenthusiastic about the prospect of playing an Indian, Pierre Brice scoffed, "Are they not always the ones who lose?" and questioned the authenticity of the novels of Karl May. Nonetheless, upon reading the French version of Winnetou, he found himself captivated, and filming commenced 14 days later.
The two leads were dubbed in German. Pierre Brice harbored doubts about the concept of the Karl May film and the success of the so-called " Sauerkraut Westerns," as the German adaptations became mockingly referred to. Yet, "The Treasure of the Silver Lake" proved a major success, the beginning of an incredible run. Old Shatterhand and especially Winnetou acquired superstar status and lifelong friendships.
Brice embraced his role, merging with it. He captivated not only young audiences in West Germany but also gained popularity among a broader demographic. According to Der Spiegel, "Winnetou, with his dual migratory background as a French Indian, was not merely integrated but adopted." As the post-war era yearned for "simple virtues like tolerance and honesty," the noble, wise, and civilized Winnetou filled that void, striking a visually compelling chord with his dark, flowing mane, headband, and leather attire.
Embodied by Millions
Over the course of 11 films from 1962 to 1968, Pierre Brice epitomized the noble Winnetou. He graced the cover of Bravo magazine 56 times and won the Otto award twelve times. He was bestowed the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, five Bambi awards, the Golden Camera, and the French made him a knight of the Legion of Honor for his contributions to Franco-German friendship. In 1997, at the age of 68, he played an aged Winnetou who survived in the mountains in the ZDF two-parter "Winnetou's Return."
Tributes poured in when Pierre Brice passed away, with more than 1,000 mourners attending his funeral at Munich's Jesuit Church of St. Michael and being buried the following day in Gräfelfing near Munich.
Pierre Brice, the French Winnetou, may now gallop once more with his brother, Old Shatterhand, through eternal lands, following Lex Barker's untimely demise in 1973 at the age of 54.
- Pierre Brice
- Horst Wendlandt
- Berlin Film Festival
- Death
- Karl May
- France
- Old Shatterhand
- Military
- Paris
- Lex Barker
- Alain Delon
- Edgar Wallace
- Brest
- Mother
- World War II
- Algeria
- Vietnam
- In 1962, Pierre Brice's breakthrough role as Winnetou in the Karl May film, "The Treasure of the Silver Lake," was a chance encounter at the Berlin Film Festival, where Horst Wendlandt, a producer known for his work in movies and TV, discovered him.
- Despite initial reservations, Pierre Brice, a French military man, became synonymous with Winnetou, an Apache chief in the German-speaking world, and gained widespread fame, earning numerous awards and accolades in both Germany and France.
