‘Geronimo: An American Legend’

Walter Hill’s 1993 film chooses the path of classicism and mostly makes it work while setting the record straight about the implacable war leader of the Chiricahua Apache, one of the last Native American commanders to be restricted to a reservation. When he escaped its confines in 1886--a breakaway that is at the film’s heart--the event made news nationwide. A handsome and respectful Western that wants simultaneously to echo and modernize the myths of the past, it is an impressive piece of work. And because Geronimo was more interested in demanding respect than gaining sympathy, the movie inevitably ends up being more than a little cold around the heart. As Geronimo, Wes Studi (pictured) would elicit respect from a stone. With Jason Patric, Robert Duvall, Gene Hackman and Matt Damon (Cinemax Friday at 11:30 a.m.).