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In the 1963 film Apache Gold (originally Winnetou: 1. Teil), the relationship between Old Shatterhand (Lex Barker) and Winnetou (Pierre Brice) is the central arc of the story. Their bond evolves from mutual suspicion and violent conflict into a sacred blood brotherhood.
Here is the event-by-event evolution of their relationship:
The relationship begins before they even meet. Old Shatterhand is an honest surveyor for the Great Western Railway who realizes that the villainous Frederick Santer has illegally rerouted the tracks through Apache territory to pocket the savings. While Winnetou observes the intrusion from afar with hostility, Shatterhand is working from within the "white man's world" to stop the construction, though Winnetou is unaware he has an ally.
Winnetou and his mentor, Klekih-petra, arrive at the railroad camp to negotiate. Shatterhand attempts to mediate and shows respect to the Apache. However, the meeting ends in disaster when Santer shoots and kills Klekih-petra. In the ensuing chaos, Winnetou is captured by Santer and handed over to the Kiowas (arch-enemies of the Apaches) to be tortured and killed. At this point, Winnetou views all white men, including Shatterhand, as treacherous murderers.
Shatterhand sneaks into the Kiowa camp at night to save Winnetou. He cuts Winnetou’s bonds and helps him escape under the cover of darkness. Crucially, Winnetou does not see the face of his savior. During the rescue, Shatterhand accidentally or intentionally takes (or tears off) a necklace/pendant from Winnetou. This object becomes the "silent witness" that will later bridge the gap between them.
Seeking revenge for his father’s grief and the death of Klekih-petra, Winnetou leads an Apache war party to attack the town of Roswell, where Santer’s gang and the railroad workers are located. During the battle, Winnetou and Shatterhand engage in hand-to-hand combat. Winnetou, still believing Shatterhand is his enemy, stabs him in the throat/shoulder with a knife, severely wounding him. Shatterhand is taken prisoner to the Apache village to face execution.
While Shatterhand is imprisoned, he is nursed back to health by Winnetou’s sister, Nscho-tschi. Through her, the audience sees the first crack in the Apache hostility; she begins to believe in Shatterhand’s honor. However, Winnetou remains cold and stoic, preparing for Shatterhand to die at the stake alongside his companions.
To save his friends, Shatterhand invokes a trial by combat. He must race against Winnetou’s father, Chief Intschu-tschuna, in a canoe on a treacherous river.
The turning point occurs when Nscho-tschi finds the necklace Shatterhand took during the Kiowa rescue or he presents it to her. She brings it to Winnetou, proving that the man he stabbed and nearly executed was actually the one who risked his life to save him from the Kiowas. Winnetou realizes he has nearly murdered his greatest benefactor.
In a deeply symbolic ceremony, the two men officially become "Blood Brothers" (Blutsbrüder). They cut their arms and press the wounds together, swearing that "his blood is my blood, and his heart is my heart." Their relationship shifts from enemies to a bond stronger than biological family.
The film concludes with the two fighting side-by-side against Santer. When Santer’s men kill Winnetou’s father and sister, Shatterhand is the one who consoles Winnetou. The film ends with them riding together as equals—Winnetou as the new Chief of the Apaches and Shatterhand as his lifelong companion and protector.
The summary omits the death of the villain Santer, a major event in the film (unlike the book where he survives).
The summary is vague on how the necklace is revealed ('or he presents it'), whereas the film features a specific plot point where Nscho-tschi finds the jacket in Roswell.
In Apache Gold (1963), the relationship evolves through these key events: 1) Opposition: Shatterhand (surveyor) opposes Santer's illegal rail route, while Winnetou views all whites as enemies. 2) Tragedy: Santer kills Klekih-petra; Winnetou is captured. 3) Rescue: Shatterhand secretly frees Winnetou from the Kiowas, intentionally taking his Bear Claw necklace as proof. 4) Conflict: Winnetou stabs Shatterhand during the battle at Roswell; Shatterhand is captured. 5) Ordeal: Shatterhand wins a canoe race against Chief Intschu-tschuna but spares him. 6) Revelation: Nscho-tschi finds Shatterhand's jacket in Roswell containing the necklace, proving he was the savior. 7) Brotherhood: They become Blood Brothers. 8) Loss & Justice: Santer kills Intschu-tschuna and Nscho-tschi; Santer is killed (falls from cliff); Winnetou and Shatterhand ride on as partners.