Winnetou (2016 film)

The 2016 film Winnetou is a German-Czech-Croatian Western trilogy, a reboot of the classic Winnetou film series based on the novels by Karl May. It consists of three parts: Winnetou - Eine neue Welt (Winnetou - A New World), Winnetou - Das Geheimnis vom Silbersee (Winnetou - The Secret of Silver Lake), and Winnetou - Der letzte Kampf (Winnetou - The Last Battle).

The films retell the familiar story of the friendship between the Apache chief Winnetou and the German immigrant Old Shatterhand, focusing on themes of cultural understanding, environmentalism, and the clash between Native American traditions and the encroaching European settlers in the American West.

Winnetou - Eine neue Welt depicts the initial encounter between Winnetou and Karl May (later known as Old Shatterhand), focusing on their growing respect for each other as they navigate conflicts between settlers and Native American tribes. Winnetou - Das Geheimnis vom Silbersee revolves around the search for a hidden treasure and further explores the bond between Winnetou and Old Shatterhand as they face common enemies. Winnetou - Der letzte Kampf portrays the tragic consequences of westward expansion and the struggles of Native American tribes to preserve their way of life, culminating in a significant loss.

The trilogy stars Nik Xhelilaj as Winnetou and Wotan Wilke Möhring as Old Shatterhand. Directed by Philipp Stölzl, the films were produced by Rat Pack Filmproduktion in co-production with Mythos Film, Rialto Film, and Czech Television. They were filmed in Croatia and Germany. While aiming for a modern sensibility, the films attempted to retain key elements and themes from the original Karl May stories, aiming to appeal to both nostalgic fans and a new audience. Critical reception was mixed, with some praising the production values and performances, while others criticized the changes to the original storyline and the portrayal of Native American culture.