Broken Arrow

Released Jul 21, 1950

1h 33m

Western

List

91%

11 Reviews

Tomatometer

71%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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

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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

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Kevin B

Brilliant western. Such a great story line

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

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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

steve d

No better than a million films just like it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Delmer Daves

Director

James Stewart

Tom Jeffords

Jeff Chandler

Cochise

Debra Paget

Sonseeahray

Basil Ruysdael

Gen. Oliver 'The Christian General' Howard

Will Geer

Ben Slade

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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
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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