Broken Arrow
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Movie Reviews of Broken Arrow
Movie Review: Stewart makes peace with the Indians
Summary: 4 Stars
In a way, this film is a forerunner for Kevin Costner's "Dances with Wolves" in the fact that it was one of the first films to show Indians in a more positive light. James Stewart as a real life character, Tom Jeffords, learns to understand the Indians thru his friendship with Cochise (brilliantly played by Jeff Chandler in an Oscar nominated performance)and subsequently marrying an Indian maiden (Debra Paget at her loveliest). Delmar Davies, a very under-rated director, could always put out a decent Western as he did with "Jubal" & "3:10 to Yuma", excels here in his senstivity and handling of his subject. Perhaps our soon to be gone President should've looked at this film before he made his fateful decision to start a war. The photography and Stewart's heart-felt performance make this a must-see for his fans and of course,Western buffs. It's a tribute to his artistry that he created 2 distinctly different characters in two Westerns that year--this one and of course, Anthony Mann's "Winchester 73". But do check this one out.Movie Review: Historically Better Than Most
Summary: 4 Stars
A good choice for one of the few film portrayals of white and indigenous peoples relations. Filmed in the state where the majority of the events took place, it follows the factual bones of the story of Cochise and Tom Jeffords fairly well. Of course, Hollywood has to sneak in somewhere and the the romantic involvement holds the most obvious fantastical expansion. However, even that angle shares many tidbits about the Apache lifeways that hold true: the lack of kissing, men plucking facial hair vs. shaving, honeymoon wickiups, rituals for feminine coming of age, etc are culturally accurate of the Chiricahua Apache tribe. A glaring short-coming of the film is the depiction of lead Native Americans characters by white actors.
I used this film in my studies of AZ history and recommend it highly.
Movie Review: A Classic Western
Summary: 4 Stars
"Broken Arrow" is a classic western based on fact. Many of the events portrayed in this film are based on history. There actually was a Tom Jeffords (James Stewart) and a Cochise (Jeff Chandler), but some literary license is taken. This film takes a different view of native Americans. I remember seeing this film in a theater as a child and will never forget it. I was glad to see this out on DVD and is a purchase that I will never regret.Movie Review: Classic Western
Summary: 4 Stars
Great western movie with one of Hollywood's best actors. James Stewart is great as a man who sees the future of the west and promotes peace between the Indians and the agressive white man.Movie Review: Delmer Daves offers an important major role to an Indian character, treating him with quality and esteem as human being...
Summary: 3 Stars
Stewart plays a scout who seeks to heal the divisions between the Apaches and white men... But while "Broken Arrow" is a perfectly acceptable depiction of frontier struggles, it does not display Stewart to the best advantages... Delmer Daves was competent enough, but he lacked the ultimate virility and intensity of Anthony Mann...
"Broken Arrow" examines, rather intensely and directly, the mistreatment and flagrant exploitation of the Indians by whites in the early West...
The strength of this often lyrically photographed picture which will a1ways have an honorable place among Westerns lies particularly in the touching dignity of Stewart's love and marriage to an Indian girl (Debra Paget). Indian haters, of course, stir up the usual sort of trouble and Stewart's bride becomes a victim with all the consequent poignancy for which the film is best remembered...
The over-wise Chandler counsels him that he must learn to live with his whiteness just as his new friends must contend with their own place in the cosmic scheme of things... Cochise has words of stark consolation for Stewart: "As I bear the murder of my people, so you will bear the murder of your wife."
The most interesting aspect of " Broken Arrow" is not the interracial romance between Stewart and Paget, but Stewart's relationship with Chandler's Cochise... There is intra-character complexity here, as Chandler struggles to overcome his disturb of all whites, and Stewart attempts to comprehend the different philosophy and cultural of the Indians...
Jeff Chandler was quite apt and professional... He was so believable in the role of the Apache chief Cochise that he was to essay it again in George Sherman's "The Battle at Apache Pass" in 1952... Chandler's facial bone structure lent itself to noble, incisive Indian profiles, and unlike other Caucasian actors he did not look out of place... He was even nominated for Best Supporting Actor at that year's Oscars...