Movie Review:Hombre

It is important to contextualize this movie. The Red Power movement was in full swing. AIM, among others, was a household name. Awareness of Native Americans was rising...as was sympathy for the plight of the Native Americans. They also were viewed as somewhat tragic heroes.Into this came the movie Hombre.

Movie posters advertised it as "Hombre means Man. Paul Newman is Hombre."The opening credits rolled over a red background showing stylized stereotypical Native American characters. From the very opening this movie made it clear it would present Native Americans in a positive light.

Elements that represented the "Indian" side of Newman included a stoic acceptance of what was, a willingness to mind his own business regardless of what was going on around him, a quietness, a capability, a patience, and so forth. Several times things were said that culminated when the burgeoning love interest says, "You don't get tired, you don't get hungry, you don't get thirsty, nothing gets you riled". The clear implication was these were desirable traits and that they originated with his Native American upbringing.

It was pointed out he left white "civilization" because it had nothing for him...the "Apache way of life" was superior for him. On the stagecoach was the openly racist Indian Agent for the reservation Hombre was from. At one point stage robbers pointed out he was a thief...he just did it on paper. They delineated the historically accurate way many agents purchased beef on paper that never existed and split the profits with the cattlemen. This is a sad page in our nations history and it was brought out in the movie. At a time when people had a heightened awareness of governmental wrongs, it is likely much of the audience would have recognized this as historically accurate.

Newman was presented very positively throughout and as a representative in the film of what was "right" (in the eyes of '66 U.S.), he came across as Native Americans being superior in every way but two.

First, as the cowardly, greedy, dishonest agent expressed, "White people stick together. You will learn that some day." The movie assumed the actions in the bar would have demonstrated that Hombre DID stick with his Apache brethren but saw no need to risk his own life for people whose stupidity endangered the entire party.

Second, when he was living as an Apache he was filthy of face and clothing with long, unkempt hair. In the 60s, that actually may have been the positive portrayal, but his clean cut appearance once he went to claim his inheritance can read either way.

Regardless, his death at the end of the movie was sort of the late 60s way. The hero could not ultimately overcome all odds but must fall to fear, prejudice, mistreatment, and undervalument.

In terms of Dreamcatchers, it was definitely a statement that Native Americans were maltreated yet still superior to the dominant culture in many ways and worthy of emulation. This one requires some further study to assess more fully the complete impact.