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Broken Arrow

Play trailer Poster for Broken Arrow Released Jul 21, 1950 1h 33m Western Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
For a decade, the white settlers and the Apaches have been engaged in a bloody war with no peaceful end in sight. When a white scout, Tom Jeffords (James Stewart), has a dangerously close but enlightening encounter with the natives, he begins to see the humanity in these "enemies." Entering the Apache territory seeking peace, Jeffords forms a friendship with the Apache leader Cochise (Jeff Chandler), although there are people on both sides who resist extending the olive branch.
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Broken Arrow

Critics Reviews

View All (11) Critics Reviews
Variety Staff Variety Essentially it's an appealing, sentimental Indian romance, with plenty of action. Mar 26, 2009 Full Review Time Out A fine film all the same, despite the compromised ending, quite beautifully shot by Ernest Palmer. Feb 9, 2006 Full Review Bosley Crowther New York Times We cannot accept this picture as either an exciting or reasonable account of the attitudes and ways of American Indians. They merit justice, but not such patronage. Jan 28, 2006 Full Review Ian Kane Epoch Times In these caustic and divided times, “Broken Arrow” is an inspiring movie that hopes for a better future beyond the divisive powers that be. Rated: 4/5 Dec 31, 2023 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Significant as one of the first Hollywood films to display an enormous amount of sympathy for its Native American characters. Rated: 3/4 Apr 10, 2022 Full Review Tony Sloman Radio Times This massively influential western from director Delmer Daves was among the first to tell the native American side of the story. Rated: 4/5 Oct 23, 2015 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (87) audience reviews
Ron G Sorry, but I just found this movie to be ridiculous. Jeff Chandler as an Apache is silly, but I realize that was a thing back in the day. Aside from that, from the Indians referring to the ‘white man’ as “Americans” to the somewhat disturbing relationship between Debra Pagent’s character and Jimmy Stewart’s character with a real life 25 year age difference (she was likely 16 at filming, maybe barely 17) I kept thinking “Why did Stewart agree to this?” Even the ending was dumb. The scenery was nice, so I gave it 2 stars. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 07/08/24 Full Review Kevin B Brilliant western. Such a great story line Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the greatest western movies ever made. Based on a true story. A powerful Proformance by the wonderful Jimmy Stewart and terrific supporting cast makes this movie a must see for anyone. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member Simple film with a simple message with some contrivances, but an enjoyable watch and a respectful, balanced view of the Native Americans. Jimmy Stewart as ever an absolute delight in the lead ably supported by Jeff Chandler. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Made in 1950, this western was one of the first to show Indians in a sympathetic and likeable light. The white man is shown as the bad guy. With the exception of a few main parts, they also featured many Native Americans in their roles. It is the story of Cochise, played by Jeff Chandler as he negotiates peace with James Stewart. The story is mostly fictional with only a few historical accuracies. It is beautifully filmed, but the real story is more interesting. Why concoct a silly love story with Stewart and a young squaw? It hurts the picture. Despite this it is a well made , pretty good western. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Really a great movie. Not your typical 1950s cowboy vs. Indian movie. If you like westerns, it is a must-see. Except for Jeff Chandler and Debra Paget, the Indians are played by local Native Americans (most likely Navajos). Jeff Chandler does a pretty good job of playing Cochise with humanity and as a great leader. Chandler actually resembles Cochise's fine features and aquiline nose. Debra Paget was not a stranger to playing women of various ethnicities and comes across as more than a white actress with brown makeup. The Native American culture is treated with respect. The behavior, traditions, and life of the Apache are honored if not celebrated. The cinematography is superb, using the gorgeous scenery of Sedona, Arizona. Fine actors of the period doing great work. Beautiful Debra Paget is always a pleasure to watch and does some fine acting. Many write the movie off as a romantic western with an enlightened attitude toward the Apache. Yet, the story is very loosely based on the history of the wars between the white settlers around Tucson, the Chiricahua Apache, and the lone white man who tried to bridge the gulf between the two. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Broken Arrow

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Movie Info

Synopsis For a decade, the white settlers and the Apaches have been engaged in a bloody war with no peaceful end in sight. When a white scout, Tom Jeffords (James Stewart), has a dangerously close but enlightening encounter with the natives, he begins to see the humanity in these "enemies." Entering the Apache territory seeking peace, Jeffords forms a friendship with the Apache leader Cochise (Jeff Chandler), although there are people on both sides who resist extending the olive branch.
Director
Delmer Daves
Producer
Julian Blaustein
Screenwriter
Albert Maltz
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox
Genre
Western
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 21, 1950, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Runtime
1h 33m
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