A Remarkable Birth and Destined Legend: The Life of Pierre Brice as Winnetou
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Became a Legend Portraying Winnetou Character - Winnetou's Transformation into a Mythical Figure
The advent of a cinematic icon required nothing short of divine intervention. Thus, the Great Spirit fashioned the Apache chief from a gallant Frenchman hailing from the Breton tribe. Though it may not have been entirely politically correct, it was a decision that would resonate for decades.
My Winnetou Is Born!
It is told that German producer Horst Wendlandt (1922-2002) - a Manitu of German film - had stumbled upon a young, captivating Frenchman and declared, "This is my Winnetou!" The year was 1959, and Pierre Brice (1929-2015) embarked on a journey to immortalize himself as the iconic Winnetou, a role he would keep until his passing.
June 6th marks the anniversary of Brice's death, and this year, we remember him with renewed appreciation.
From Baron Pierre to Legend
Born Pierre Louis Baron le Bris on February 6, 1929, in the Breton port city of Brest, Brice hailed from an esteemed noble family. His father, a naval officer, was often absent, leaving his mother and older sister Yvonne to raise him in the spirit of strict French patriotism.
At the tender age of 11, Brice witnessed German troops occupy France. His father fought in the Resistance against the enemy, while young Le Bris bravely became a courier for various Resistance groups. This dangerous calling had its fair share of hazards, and a chance captivity by German forces would have meant a brutal end.
Upon the conclusion of World War II, Pierre le Bris enlisted in the military, honing his skills as a frogman (proficient free diver for military and special operations) and serving in Algeria for two years. Following this, he underwent rigorous training as a paratrooper and participated in the Indochina War in present-day Vietnam for four years. In 1951, he returned to civilian life, laden with decorations and three medals of valor.
The Actor Within
His desire to become an actor was initially met with confusion by his father, who wished for him to pursue a respectable profession. Nevertheless, Pierre persisted and became a student of acting in Paris, changing his name to Pierre Brice and seizing any opportunity that came his way - even selling typewriters, modeling for photo novels, and dancing as an acrobat in a theatrical troupe.
His first film role appeared in "Hard Fists - Hot Blood" in 1954, where he only held the door open for leading actor Eddie Constantine. After making a splash in theater performances and additional film roles, Pierre faced stiff competition from French heartthrob Alain Delon, who bore a striking resemblance to him. Settling for roles in Italy and Spain, Pierre's big break would come at the 1962 Berlin Film Festival with his Spanish film "Los Atracadores."
Producer Horst Wendlandt, preparing his first Karl May film adaptation, took notice of Brice in the midst of the festival preparations. With the script for "The Treasure of Silver Lake" ready, Wendlandt had already cast the lanky, blond American, Lex Barker, for the role of Old Shatterhand. In search of the perfect counterpart for Barker as Winnetou, Wendlandt saw the agile Frenchman Pierre Brice - and he knew he had found him.
The Chief of the Apaches Arrives
Though initially reluctant about the proposition, Brice, who would play an Indian, refused to see an opportunity in the offer. Hesitant about the novels of Karl May, to which he'd never been introduced, and uncertain of his equestrian abilities, Pierre Brice was not thrilled with the prospect.
However, a chance reading of the French Winnetou edition ignited within him a passion for the role. Filming commenced 14 days later, and Wendlandt had secured his Apache chief. The role would prove to be life-changing for Pierre Brice, as he captured the hearts of millions of fans in German-speaking countries.
A Lasting Legacy
Over the span of six years, from 1962 to 1968, Pierre Brice embodied the noble Winnetou in a series of eleven films. The youth magazine "Bravo" featured him on their cover 56 times, and the Otto award was bestowed upon him twelve times. He received the Federal Cross of Merit first class, five Bambi awards, the Golden Camera, and the French graced him with the rank of knight of the Legion of Honor for his contributions to German-French friendship.
In 1965, Brice's filmic demise in "Winnetou III" led to a wave of protests among fans, prompting producer Wendlandt to assure the public that the beloved Winnetou would rise again. To the dismay of fans, the Karl May films finally came to an end, but Pierre Brice continued his journey, appearing at the Karl May festivals in Elspe, Westphalia, and later in Bad Segeberg until 1991.
On June 6, 2015, Pierre Brice died at the age of 86 due to complications from a lung infection, leaving behind a legacy that lives on in the hearts of his fans. More than 1,000 people attended his funeral service, and he was buried in Gräfelfing near Munich, a fitting resting place for the man who had come to represent a generation.
- Pierre Brice's legacy continues to captivate audiences in the realm of movies and TV, entwined with the entertainment industry's pantheon of celebrities.
- Ten years ago, Pierre Brice, the renowned actor who embodied the historic figure of Old Shatterhand's Apache companion Winnetou, passed away, leaving behind a profound impact on German-speaking audiences and the world of entertainment at large.
