Broken Arrow
Broken Arrow

Movie spotlight

Broken Arrow

1950
Movie
93 min
English

Indian scout Tom Jeffords is sent out to stem the war between the American settlers and Apaches in the late 1870s Arizona. He learns that the Indians kill only to protect themselves, or out of retaliation for white atrocities.

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes92%
Metacritic75/100
Google Users90%
Director: Delmer DavesGenres: Western, Romance, Adventure, Drama

Plot Summary

Tom Jeffords, a former scout, decides to seek peace with the Apache tribe after his partner is killed by one of them. He travels to their territory and befriends their chief, Cochise. During his time there, he falls in love with a young Apache woman named Sonseeahray. Despite their growing love and efforts to establish peace, the encroaching settlers and the lingering animosity between the tribes threaten to shatter the fragile truce.

Critical Reception

Broken Arrow was a critical and commercial success, lauded for its sensitive and groundbreaking portrayal of Native Americans and its compelling story. It was praised for its departure from typical Western tropes, focusing on cultural understanding and human relationships.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its mature and respectful depiction of Native American culture.

  • Lauded for its compelling narrative and the chemistry between the leads.

  • Considered a landmark film in its sympathetic portrayal of indigenous peoples.

Google audience: Audiences widely appreciated the film's move away from stereotypical portrayals of Native Americans, highlighting its engaging story and the strong performances that brought depth to the characters and their struggles.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Actor (Jeff Chandler), Best Director (Delmer Daves), and Best Screenplay (Albert Maltz). Won a Golden Globe for Best Film Promoting International Understanding.

Fun Fact

Broken Arrow was one of the first major Hollywood Westerns to portray Native Americans in a sympathetic and nuanced light, challenging the prevailing stereotypes of the era.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

If you're looking for a traditional cowboys and indians film, then this might not be for you. Sure, there are the odd confrontations between the ever expanding white man and the Apache braves, but this is essentially a more cerebral look at...

John Chard

John Chard

To talk of peace is not hard. To live it is very hard. As the war rages between the American settlers and the Apache, former soldier Tom Jeffords happens upon a young Indian wounded after an attack. Taking upon himself to aid the boy, it...