The Broken Star

A notorious, aging movie cowboy star is on location filming his last Western, but his harsh demeanor and violent temper alienate the crew and locals. He gets into a confrontation with a young, idealistic war veteran who works on the ranch. The veteran becomes obsessed with the cowboy's ruthless persona, leading to a dangerous and ultimately tragic escalation.

The Broken Star received a mixed reception upon its release, with critics often divided on its gritty portrayal of a fading Hollywood icon and its bleak tone. While some praised Bogart's performance and Siegel's direction, others found the film's violence and cynicism off-putting. Audiences were also divided, with some appreciating its departure from traditional Western tropes and others put off by its dark themes.

• Humphrey Bogart delivers a powerful, albeit unsympathetic, performance as a washed-up movie star.

• The film is noted for its dark and cynical take on the Western genre and Hollywood itself.

• Don Siegel's direction creates a tense and foreboding atmosphere.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this film, but available commentary suggests a divided opinion. Some viewers appreciated the mature and gritty narrative, while others found the protagonist unlikeable and the overall tone too bleak for a Western.

This was Humphrey Bogart's final film role before his death in 1957. He was reportedly quite ill during the filming.