User Reviews

When Tomahawk and carbine split the West asunder, these braves, the scout Tom Jefford and chief Cochise, stood in glory. The fate of the great southwest lay in their hands, for this was the hour of decision and the last and deadliest of the Indian wars . This is a story true as the arrow's aim, powerful as the love that wed a white man to an Indian girl and fighting to coexist on the Western frontier in the 1870s . As usual, crooked settlers and mean traders thwart peace. James Stewart as Tom Jefford, an ex-Army explorer, who dared the red man's vengeance-the white man's scorn and attempting to find truce among feuding white man and Indian . Debra Paget, as Sonseeahray whose soft lips answered a white man's search love . Jeff Chandler, as Cochise, the most blood-thirsty of Apaches, who took a white man for his blood brother. Joyce McKenzie as Terry Wilson, she waited alone in Tucson and lost-to an Indian girl . The film is plenty of adventures , shootouts , noisy action and spectacular landscapes . However ; displaying a sad finale, as Cochise tells to Tom Jeffords: ¨As I bear the murder of my people , so you will bear the murder of you wife¨.

This picture acclaimed like one of the first to deal the Indian with understanding and justice . The film contains agreeable depiction about Indian customs as it actually was , including dancing , complex mythology , pagan Gods and their peculiar culture . The movie is shot in Cocominto Mountains of Arizona with marvellous outdoors . Excellent performances from James Stewart as Tom Jefford and Jeff Chandler as Cochise with scars on his face caused by a previous car crash . Interesting screenplay by Albert Matz though credited as Michacarel Blankfort , but he was blacklisted . Evocative and imaginative score by Hugo Friedhofer. The motion picture was well and compellingly directed by Delmer Daves . He was a good professional who directed all kinds of genres , such as : Romantic dramas : ¨Rome adventure¨, ¨Parrish¨, ¨A summer Place¨ ; WWII : ¨Task force¨, ¨Hollywood canteen¨, ¨Destination Tokyo¨ , Noir film : ¨Dark passage¨ , ¨The red house¨ , Historical : ¨Demetrius and the gladiators¨ and especially Western : ¨The hang tree¨, ¨The Badlanders¨, ¨Cowboy¨, ¨3.10 to Yuma¨, ¨Jubal¨, ¨Drum Beat¨, and this¨ Broken arrow¨.

It's followed by sequels and Chandler performed Cochise again in ¨Battle of Apache pass¨ and Rock Hudson played his son in ¨Taza, son of Cochise¨ and subsequently continued a TV series . Rating: Above average for respect on interesting Indian culture.

I know that having a Jew from New York (Jeff Chandler) play Cochise is NOT the most enlightened thing a film studio could have done, however, in most other respects Hollywood actually tried to get it right in this simple film. Instead of American-Indians being one-dimensional and bad or stupid, here they are real people and the complexities of the relationship between them and the rest of America is actually considered--a rarity in 1950s Hollywood.

The movie begins with Jimmy Stewart playing an ex-scout out West during the latter portion of the 19th century. He happens upon an injured Apache teen and nurses him back to health. Most Whites would have probably shot him or left him and Stewart's kindness had a huge impact on the boy. So, later, when they are captured by Apaches, the boy begs them to let Stewart go--as he is their friend. A bit later, Stewart realizes that his own perceptions about Indians changed through meeting and spending time with one, so maybe, he reasons, he can learn the language and customs and act as a bridge between the two clashing cultures. Eventually, he goes to live with the Apaches and slowly gains their trust and a strong friendship with their chief, Cochise. There's a lot more to the film than this, such as his relationship with an Apache lady, but this is just something you'll have to learn about by seeing the film--I don't want to spoil it.

Overall, an amazingly sensitive portrait of American-Indians and a film that tried to show the common ground between them and the rest of America. A lovely film that I really enjoyed, though the film did seem to end a bit more abruptly than I might have liked. Still, it was probably the best portrayal of this group since the 1920s and 30s (with films such as THE VANISHING American and THE SQUAW MAN).

Starring my personal favorite actor Mr. James Stewart and featuring superlative performances from Jeff Chandler & Debra Paget, "Broken Arrow" is a fine Western that transcends the conventional attitude of Native Americans being nothing more than mere savages. This film takes a closer look at the culture of the Chiricahua Apaches in the Rocky Mountain region, the scenery of which is beautifully captured on celluloid. The story is about one brave white American named Tom Jeffords (Stewart), who risks his life by riding into the Apache stronghold led by the natives' champion of truth and honor, Cochise (brilliantly portrayed by Chandler). Jeffords' vision is one in which whites and Apaches can someday live together like brothers, and this is why he wishes to visit the great warrior Cochise. Cochise is no fool; he can see through the insincerity of men, but sensing the honesty and earnestness of Jeffords' vision, Cochise slowly warms to the idea of peace, for which a broken arrow becomes a symbol, hence the picture's title. In the meantime, Jeffords falls in love with a beautiful young Apache woman named Sonseeahray (Paget), which means "morning star".

The following are my favorite sequences from "Broken Arrow" (please DO NOT read any further if you have not yet seen this wonderful picture). The music score by Hugo Friedhofer reaches a nice crescendo as Tom Jeffords rides directly into the Apache stronghold while all the grim natives surround him with weapons ("Riding into the heart of potential danger," as Stewart biographer Jonathan Coe expressed it). In stark contrast to this quiet intensity is a scene in which the boisterous white townspeople of Tucson raise quite a ruckus as they drag Jeffords out of a saloon and prepare him for a soon-to-be-interrupted lynching. Following several days of Tom's healing a wounded fourteen-year-old Apache boy, Tom is quite lucky to escape with his life as other Apaches who spied on him fire a few arrows ("This white man is my friend!", shouts the boy). And the very final shot of this movie, however abrupt it may be, depicts Tom riding away in the wide open country as his heartfelt voice-over narration confirms his unshakable memory of Sonseeahray.

In "Broken Arrow", the character played by James Stewart is fairly mild-mannered and likable. AFTER "Broken Arrow", however, Stewart would receive the opportunity to further stretch the limited patience of his Western characters, reaching the borderline into sheer ferociousness!

This is a really solid western, with one of the first balanced or sympathetic portraits of Native Americans to be found in a Hollywood film. It also has a great Technicolor picture, wonderful locations, good performances, a nice romance and well done action scenes.

A former soldier Tom Jeffords (James Stewart) decides to become involved in the conflict with the Apache because he has seen enough bloodshed. After he helps an injured Apache boy he is surprised to find he has more in common with them than he thought. Later Jeffords at great personal risk sets up a meeting with the Apache leader Cochise (Jeff Chandler) to see whether steps can me made towards peace. In his time at Cochise's camp, Jeffords meets a young woman Sonseeahray (Debra Paget) with whom he falls in love.

The film is solidly directed by Delmer Daves (Dark Passage, 3:10 to Yuma, Spencer's Mountain) who had a fairly successful career in Hollywood with some fairly memorable pictures though he never quite reaching the top echelon of success.

While the film is based on a true story and includes actual historical figures (Jefford's, Cochise, Geronimo and general Oliver Howard)some liberties with the story's details have been taken. JThe role of Jefford's in the peace treaty and his personal bravery seem fairly accurate though his motivation may have been less simple than is portrayed here, and as is typical from Hollywood the love interest has also been created. The message about finding a peaceful solution through our similarities is unfortunately tainted by the ultimate failure of the treaty and the treatment of Native Americans.

Unfortunately despite the sympathetic portrait of Native Americans both of the primary native characters are portrayed by Caucasian actors. Another Apache leader, Geronimo who has a fairly limited role in the film is played by Jay Silverheels (Tonto from the Lone ranger) The film was nominated for 3 Oscars

I guess I've seen enough of Jimmy Stewart's 'normal citizen' movies ("It's A Wonderful Life", "The Phladelphia Story", "You Can't Take It With You") to make it seem unlikely that he could play a strong lead as a Western hero. But he made a number of them, and I have to say that his performance here is every bit as professional and workmanlike as some of his better known roles. The story of "Broken Arrow" is somewhat based in historical fact, but as with many, if not most Hollywood treatments, there's also a fair amount of poetic license taken with the characters and situations. A little bit of quick research reveals that Cochise was fifty five in 1870 when the story took place, making him somewhat older than the real Tom Jeffords, who would have been thirty eight, approximating Jimmy Stewart's age at the time of filming.

What's fairly accurate is the role Jeffords played in bringing about a negotiated peace between the U.S. Government and the Chiricahua Apaches in 1872, at least for three short years before the treaty was broken, leading to a decade long hostility that ended with Geronimo's surrender in 1886. While it appears that Geronimo and Cohise were both part of the same Apache tribe in the movie, Geronimo was actually born to the Bedonkohe Apaches. His association with Cochise occurred when his chief Mangas Coloradas sent Geronimo to get help from Cochise to fight the Mexicans; Mangas Coloradas (Red Sleeves) was the father-in-law of Cochise.

I was quite surprised to see how closely Jeff Chandler resembled the real Cochise in a photograph from the era. In the film, he had that regal kind of bearing that one associates with great chiefs, as attributed by Jeffords' Apache language teacher - "His eyes will see into your heart, he is greater than other men". I was also surprised to learn after the fact, that Jeffords became a blood brother to Cochise, and wondered why it wasn't mentioned in the film.

As for Geronimo, I'd have to say that this was the strongest acting role I've seen yet for Jay Silverheels, completely eclipsing the 'Me Tonto' treatment reserved for the Lone Ranger's sidekick. His speech to Cochise defying peace with the whites was exceptionally well done and convincing. Historically, Geronimo never considered himself a chief, though he was highly regarded as a military and spiritual leader of the Apaches.

Obviously, I can't finish without mentioning the exquisite appearance and performance of the White Painted Lady, Morningstar Sonseeahray, as portrayed by Debra Paget. I wonder how Stewart felt performing opposite a sixteen year old actress? Her poise reminded me of Audrey Hepbun's own somewhat miscast appearance as an Indian woman in 1960's "The Unforgiven".

"Broken Arrow" has earned it's reputation as one of the first, if not THE first Western to treat Native Americans with humanity. It does so credibly, and is particularly revealing in Jimmy Stewart's voice over narrative following the early encounter with the wounded Apache boy. Stewart's character is a stand up guy all the way, even in the face of fierce opposition from neighbors and friends. It was with careful consideration that Cochise was able to guage the measure of Jeffords' character with the words - "This white man is my friend".

This is an excellent movie, thematically ground breaking for its time. A model for many Westerns to follow, especially in terms of using the19th Century Indian/White conflict as a metaphor for modern African American civil rights.

Note: watch for the "prequel", "The Battle of Apache Pass", filmed two years later with Chandler and Silverheels reprising their roles as Cochise and Geronimo.

Here's what I liked:

• This kicked off a decade of great James Stewart Westerns. This was the beginning of Stewart establishing himself as one of the top leading men in the history of Western movies.

Interesting that Stewart plays the role of peacemaker in the film. Stewart was a highly decorated bomber pilot in WW2 and was deeply traumatized by his exposure to death and destruction. After the war, he vowed never to star in a film that glorified combat. This is in stark contrast to John Wayne, who dodged service in WW2, yet went on to star several times as a war hero.

• Albert Maltz, who wrote the screenplay, was blacklisted as a Communist. The struggle to stop the Apache/White conflict in the movie is a metaphor for the increasing tensions of the Cold War. Maltz' theme, indeed, was leftist, as the "good guys" Cochise and Jeffords, are trying to prevent war i.e. conservatives of the late '40's were preaching an activist military approach to stemming the spread of Communism.

• The movie is generally historical accurate. Jeffords was a real person who did many of the things James Stewart does in the movie. I'm not bothered by the small historical inaccuracies, which are more than justified by artistic license.

• Nice to see Jay Silverheels playing the militant Geronimo, since he was stereotyped later as the "Uncle Tom" Tonto in the "Lone Ranger" TV series.

• Nice location shooting in Arizona. Sedona isn't really where these events took place, but close enough. Stunning scenery more than justifies slight inaccuracy.

• So that's what Arthur Hunnicut looks like without a beard.

Here's what stopped the movie from being better:

• The whole thing's a little stiff and hokie.

• Jeff Chandler was OK, although I don't understand how he got an Oscar nomination for the role. I really don't get why they cast pure Caucasians in these roles, especially Debra Paget. Even if we assume that there were not enough trained Native American actors in 1950, there were any number of Hispanic actors who could have played this role more credibly.

• Stewart is 41, Page is 16. I know it was especially common in the 1950's to have large age differences between leading men and ladies, but this is way over top. Frankly, it's statutory rape.

• The movie needed a better characterized heavy.

• No comic relief. "Little Big Man" is still the only solid Indian point of view movie I've seen with a few laughs thrown in.

I think you'd be hard pressed to find a film in the Western genre that has a significant moral and ethical message woven into its fabric. Broken Arrow is exactly that. It doesn't even try to hide the message, this film is as political as it could possibly be. There are some significant controversies around the film given many of the Native Americans were played by non-Native Americans but honestly...does that matter? This was during a time when Native Americans were not portrayed well and I happen to think they did them justice in a big way. The film does use many of the elements we know from Western films but it still has this distinctive style of its own because of this brilliant and beautiful story about friendship. From what I know of the late 1800's history this was very accurate to the stories and bravo to them for that. Its a simple story and the romance almost gets in the way but at the same time adds a lot of heart to the overall film and is necessary for entertainment value if nothing else. The performances for me were nothing short of amazing and there was just some incredible chemistry and a story that was fascinating. It is easily one of the most well written and intelligent Westerns I have ever seen.

If you follow my reviews you'll know I am on a quest to gorge myself on Mr. Jimmy Stewart. The man is a truly Hollywood legend, generally considered one of the greatest actors of all time and I adore his Westerns (most of them.) In this film he is just on his A-Game. Stewart's Tom Jeffords is stoic, heroic, determined and tough as grit. This is about him being a cowboy and we know a little about Jeffords background. His diplomacy leads a nation to attempt peace with a people they took everything from. Stewart is just brilliant in this. Jeff Chandler plays the Apache leader Cochise and really steals the show in my opinion. He was amazing. Yes, I know he's not Native American but did he not do the role justice? He is just shows so much depth and charisma and leadership and the chemistry between his Cochise and Jeffords is remarkable. I would kill to see the TV Series that ran two seasons (neither man reprise their role) but this relationship is the ultimate friendship out of the ashes. Debra Paget (she was 15 at the time, something that I could just barely get past because it seems awkward with Stewart's age of 41) is the lovely and innocent Sonseeahray who steals Jeffords' heart. She really does steal it because the two go from seeing each other once to a passionate love affair. I understand the relationship and how vital it was and they were very good together but it is rushed and feels almost unnecessary. They spend time building a romance that is constantly rushed from start to finish.

The romantic side of things and the far too brief, cut and dry ending are my only complaints about this amazing classic film. The story is just brilliant and it is steeped in history and in a genre that is crowded with thousands of films this one stands apart. Hollywood used to allow directors that knew their genre do their best work. Delmer Dawes has a handful of Western's to his credit. He went on to direct the classic 3:10 to Yuma (I have yet to see the original) and he knows the genre well. This is so much more than a Western. This isn't cowboys and Indians and its not dusty towns or gold mines or Civil War era. This is a story about the most amazing diplomatic mission. You will root for peace and cringe at the war and violence. If you are a lover of historical films or Westerns you will find this sits so high above everything else out there. It truly was a near perfect experience for me and I will absolutely be added it to my collection to see again. Broken Arrow is a classic in every sense of the word. 9/10