Broken Arrow

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Broken Arrow

1950,

1h 33m,

Western

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91%

11 Reviews

Tomatometer

71%

1,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

11 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

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

Mar 26, 2009

Essentially it's an appealing, sentimental Indian romance, with plenty of action.

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Time Out

Feb 9, 2006

A fine film all the same, despite the compromised ending, quite beautifully shot by Ernest Palmer.

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Bosley Crowther

New York Times

Jan 28, 2006

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.

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Ian Kane

Epoch Times

Dec 31, 2023

4/5

In these caustic and divided times, “Broken Arrow” is an inspiring movie that hopes for a better future beyond the divisive powers that be.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Apr 10, 2022

3/4

Significant as one of the first Hollywood films to display an enormous amount of sympathy for its Native American characters.

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Tony Sloman

Radio Times

Oct 23, 2015

4/5

This massively influential western from director Delmer Daves was among the first to tell the native American side of the story.

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Rey R

Feb 21, 2019

Based on the real-life efforts of Tom Jeffords, this film dramatizes his efforts to make peace with Apache chief Cochise. After helping a young Indian boy, Cochise sets Jeffords free leading him to think that there may be a way to make peace in the war that has now lasted nearly 10 years. Against all odds, his solitary mission into Cochise's stronghold opens a dialogue. Opportunely, the president sends General Howard with orders to conclude peace;and with this in mind--he manages to mediate a peaceful resolution of the conflict, in 1872. But, sadly, this is a fragile treaty. Will it last or come to more bloodshed....... This is an excellent western film . (James Stewart) is outstanding in his role as former Union captain, Tom Jeffords, to restore peace between white frontiersmen and Cochise's Chiricahua Apaches. It's a Western with a liberal cry for peace, racial harmony and tolerance. This superb western is one of the earliest to treat the problems of Indians seriously and sympathetically.

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Jan 27, 2019

The best Western movie ever made!

Hermione S

Dec 15, 2018

Outstanding movie that avoids the stereotypes of Native Americans.

Draco G

Jan 9, 2018

an interesting take on the peace with the Apaches. At times the sets were weak, but many of the locations shots were beautiful. It reminded me as the predecessor to Dances With Wolves.

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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
Producer: Julian Blaustein
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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