BROKEN ARROW (1950, USA, 93m, PG) ***½
Western
dist. Twentieth Century Fox; pr co. Twentieth Century Fox; d. Delmer Daves; w. Albert Maltz, Michael Blankfort (based on the novel “Blood Brother” by Elliott Arnold); pr. Julian Blaustein; ph. Ernest Palmer (Technicolor | 1.37:1); m. Hugo Friedhofer; ed. J. Watson Webb Jr.; ad. Albert Hogsett, Lyle R. Wheeler.
cast: James Stewart (Tom Jeffords), Jeff Chandler (Cochise), Debra Paget (Sonseeahray), Basil Ruysdael (Gen. Oliver Howard), Will Geer (Ben Slade), Joyce Mackenzie (Terry), Arthur Hunnicutt (Milt Duffield), Iron Eyes Cody (Teese (uncredited)), Jay Silverheels (Geronimo (uncredited)).
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 (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 (Chandler), although there are people on both sides who resist extending the olive branch. Engrossing Western with a strong message of peace, well directed by Daves. Stewart is excellent as the peace-seeking former cavalry scout, whilst Chandler gives an imposing performance as Cochise. Tightly edited and with a challenging script, the film lays the template for a change in the portrayal of the indigenous population. Followed by THE BATTLE AT APACHE PASS (1952) and TAZA, SON OF COCHISE (1954).
AAN: Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Jeff Chandler); Best Writing, Screenplay (Albert Maltz); Best Cinematography, Color (Ernest Palmer).
