Apaches

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1970

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Apaches is the title of a Public Information Film made in the United Kingdom in 1977. Produced by the Central Office Of Information for the Health and Safety Executive, it was shown extensively in the Southern, Anglia and Westward areas, before being shown either on film or videocassette in primary schools. The 26 minute-long film deals with the subject of the dangers to children on farms, and has been seen in schools all over Britain, as well as Canada, Australia and the United States. The timeframe of the film is somewhat confusing, giving a surreal feeling to the events portrayed. Written by Neville Smith and directed by John Mackenzie, Apaches is now one of the most notorious public information films of all time. The film, which dovetails the narrative conventions of the western with PIFs, follows the misadventures of a group of six young children in a rural British village, who enjoy playing on a nearby farm. Throughout the film the children play at being "Apache warriors", hence the film title. All but one die in various shocking accidents, largely due to the children's carelessness, suggesting that the children would still be alive if they had known what dangers lay ahead. Other commentators have suggested however that the adults were also responsible, as they appear several times and don't attempt to stop the children.