Winnetou und Shatterhand im Tal der Toten

'Valley of Death' is the final movie of the immensely successful German western series of the 1960s based on Karl May's novels (albeit very loosely). It did not repeat the mistakes from Brauner's earlier production 'Old Shatterhand': the story is action-packed and to the point, Pierre Brice can shine (for example in Winnetou's knife duel against the enemy chief), composer Martin Böttcher wrote a great soundtrack, and experienced director Harald Reinl had the right feeling for the series. For the locations, they returned to places familiar for example from 'Winnetou I'. Even if the story seems like nothing new (bandits hunting for gold), 'Valley of Death' became a very entertaining movie that shouldn't disappoint the fans of the series.

One of a series of popular German-made westerns featuring the duo of Shatterhand (Lex Barker) and Winnetou (Pierre Brice), this fast-moving saga benefits from grand scenery (in Yugoslavia?), a good musical score, and a well-chosen cast. (Karin Dor, even in a dubbed performance, scores especially-high marks.)

Those looking for action of the violent variety will not be disappointed. Swarms of bees and slithering snakes attack unwary travelers, Winnetou engages in a hand-to-hand duel with a rival chief, and fiery explosions rock the aptly-named Valley of Death.

Most dramatic of all is the sequence in which the bandits capture an army lieutenant and gleefully whip him into unconsciousness. (This flogging ranks #1 in the book, "Lash! The Hundred Great Scenes of Men Being Whipped in the Movies.") After reviving him with a splash of water, the bandits then tie him between four horses and prepare to draw-and-quarter him.

Though often regarded as something of a joke in America during the latter stages of his career, Lex Barker gives evidence here of why he became such a well-respected star in European films.

This is a thrilling and stirring adventure based on Karl May novel with two agreeable characters as Old Shatterhand and Winnitou, being stunningly played by Lex Barker and Pierre Brice respectively . It deals with Mabel Kingsley (Karin Dor who married to director Harald Reinl) arrives at a western little town to clear her missing daddy of the charge that he robbed a shipment of government gold. A scout known as "Shatterhand" (Lex Barker) agrees to escort her in a search for the gold and for clear the disappeared father . They are joined by an army party , an amateur botanist (Arent) and an old partner (Wolter) .There is also an officer from the Army helping the group and he falls in love with the girl in an enjoyable love story . Then there takes place an emotive meeting between and Winnitou (Pierre Brice) and Old Shatterhand when on a cliff edge Winnitou saves him . Old Shatterland and his faithful half-brother are on the trail to discover the gold charge . In spite of troubles caused by bandits led by Murdock (Rik Battaglia who acted as good guy in ¨Winnitou and Old Firehand¨) and a Sioux chief , Winnetou's enemy, they get escape . Old Shatterhand set out on pursuit of the bandits and prepares them a trap . But when Shatterhand rides for Sioux help against Murdock's gang who captured their companions, he finds the tribe's friendly chief succeeded by his hostile son Red Buffalo (Voyo Goric who starred various Indian roles), who proves to be a dangerous enemy . Winnitou then fights against Red Buffalo in an exciting combat . Mabel's party eventually reaches the dangerous ¨Valley of snakes¨ and after that the "Valley of Death" which holds the answers to the mystery of the missing father and hidden gold . At the end takes place a silly epilogue by means of explosions and fire with no much sense .

This is a passable episode about one of the series of popular German made Western , featuring the duo formed by valiant ¨Old Shatterhand¨ who agrees to guide the motley group trough Osage Indian territory and immortal ¨Winnetou¨ , both of them repeat their same notorious roles as dignified as always . This enjoyable saga benefits from sensational adventures , shootouts , explosions , larger-than-life characters and spectacular scenarios shot in-Atelier, Spandau, Berlin, Germany ,Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA ,Ivanica, Dubrovnik, Croatia ,Popovo Polje, Roski falls, Yugoslavia ,Zrmanja canyon, Croatia and Zubci, Trebinje, Yugoslavia .

Winnetou-Pierre Brice repeats , as usual, his excellent and unforgettable role to be continued in a TV series . Lex Barker scores especially high marks , though he plays as a serious and intelligent frontierman . Enjoyable relationship between Old Shatterhand and Winnetou is quite match . The highbrow Lex Barker played the most part of series : ¨Apache gold (1963)¨ by Harald Reinl, ¨Apaches last Battle (1964)¨ by Hugo Fregonese, ¨Last of renegades(1964)¨, ¨The desperate trail¨, ¨Old Surehand¨ (1965) directed by Alfred Vohrer, ¨Old Shatterland(1966)¨ by Harald Philipp, ¨In the valley of death(1968)¨ by Harald Reinl . Stewart Granger took the role in two occasions , he starred a diverse character but the role is pretty similar to Old Shatterland , he plays with mirth and liking manner as ¨Among vultures¨ and ¨Winnetou and Surehand¨ . Besides Rod Cameron starred only one : ¨Old Firehand¨ in which chemistry between stuffy Cameron and Brice is inexistent . Nice support cast such as the customary nasty Rik Battaglia as Murdock , Karin Dor as Mabel Kingsley and the series usual Ralf Wolter as Sam Hawkens . The film displays a colorful cinematography and a catching , sensitive musical score ,though with excessive use of synthesizer by Martin Bottcher , series' ordinary , being eventually replaced in some episode by Peter Thomas . The motion picture produced by Rialto Productions was professionally directed by Harald Reinl who directed various Karl May titles , besides he was a German thriller expert called Krimi - Edward Wallace adaptation- and realized another Western titled ¨The last Mohican¨ . Rating : 6 , acceptable and passable . Worthwhile seeing for marvelous landscapes and breathtaking outdoors from Yugoslavia and Grand Canyon National ,Arizona , USA.

Major Kingsley (Sima Janicijevic), a good friend of Winnetou, is murdered by Murdoch (Rik Battaliga) and his bandits. But he was still able to hide the army's war chest in a safe place. But now the court considers the major to be the thief, the prosecution believes that he fled to Mexico with the loot. His daughter Mabel (Karin Dor) wants justice for her father and speaks for him. She could prove her father's innocence through a letter. But this letter is written in Apache language and only Winnetou (Pierre Brice) can read it. Of course, his best friend Old Shatterhand (Lex Barker) is also not far off and nor is his sidekick Sam Hawkens (Ralf Wolter) and Lord Castlepool (Eddi Arent) who both provide the right dose of humor. Winnetou and Shatterhand are also accompanied by the inexperienced army lieutenant Cummings (Clarke Reynolds). On the dangerous path to the hiding place, the Sioux also get involved at some point, whose new chief Red Buffalo (Wojo Govedariza) has dug up the hatchet. The treasure map shows the way through the Valley of Snakes to the Ossack tribe, who are good friends with Winnetou...

The Winnetou westerns are great fun, vibrant, lively and imaginative and action-packed, and this 1968 entry starring Lex Barker as Old Shatterhand and Pierre Brice as Winnetou doesn't have the same energy, romanticism and the endearing quality as the others and the pace gets bogged down when the Sioux turn up, but it's still entertaining and has some inventive action scenes such the fight scene in the hotel room where Lex Barker fights a thug mishandling the enchanting Karin Dor who happens to hold the keys to a treasure, the swarm of bees attacking the bad guys and the hand-to-hand combat between Winnetou and the musclebound Sioux . The valley of Snakes sequence is a standout, well captured with some of the bad guys getting some fangs for their effort. The chemistry between Lex and Pierre isn't as strong as the previous entries. However it still has its moments and it isn't yawn-worthy. The action is good. Nice note to end on.