The Stand at Apache River

This Western sees a small group of people holed up in a large house, surrounded by Apaches who are clearly defending their rights. The film makes it clear that the Apaches are the heroes here, but are also losing ground.

The film doesn't cover the characters of the Apaches, but that's not needed, because we already sympathize and empathize with them. We are given the white antagonists who each present different ways of dealing with a dangerous life style.

This film gives a quality look at different ways of handling the danger. There are two clear villains, both of them white men. The others range from a brave woman, a frightened woman, her honorable dishonored husband, a sheriff who sees the side of the Apaches very clearly, and two other men who act very motivated and natural in the circumstances.

The ending is sad because so many innocent and honorable people die on both sides, due to the acts of one of the villains.