IMDb > Broken Arrow (1950)

Broken Arrow (1950) More at IMDbPro »

Videos
Broken Arrow (1950) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.3/10   1,948 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 31% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Elliott Arnold (novel)
Albert Maltz (screenplay) (front Michael Blankfort)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Broken Arrow on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
August 1950 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Of this motion picture the screen can be proud... Today... Tomorrow... A generation from now...
Plot:
Tom Jeffords tries to make peace between settlers and Apaches. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations more
User Comments:
not the usual western movie more (32 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
93 min
Country:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)
Certification:
Norway:A (1957) | Australia:G (DVD rating) | Australia:PG (TV rating) | Germany:12 | UK:PG | Finland:K-12 | USA:Approved (certificate #13926)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
At 41, James Stewart was 25 years older than Debra Paget, who was barely 16 at the time of filming. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
[opening narration]
Tom Jeffords: This is the story of a land, of the people who lived on it in the year 1870, and of a man whose name was Cochise. He was an Indian - leader of the Chiricahua Apache tribe. I was involved in the story and what I have to tell happened exactly as you'll see it - the only change will be that when the Apaches speak, they will speak in our language. What took place is part of the history of Arizona and it began for me here where you see me riding.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in 100 Years of the Hollywood Western (1994) (TV) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
23 out of 28 people found the following comment useful.
not the usual western movie, 7 June 2000
8/10
Author: dave fitz (dfitz77@aol.com) from somerset, nj

Although the story is entertaining and the performances of James Stewart, Jeff Chandler and Debra Paget outstanding, what makes Broken Arrow a landmark film is its portrayal of the Apache Indians as something more than savage killers. Indians in the movies were always seen as brutal and inhuman. Here they are seen as people who want what the "white men" wanted: to live in freedom with their families on their own land and to live their lives in their own way.

Jeff Chandler is terrific as Apache leader Cochise, who he would play twice more in other films. There is a moving scene when they return from battle and he recites the names of those killed with a pained look in his eyes. Cochise and Stewart's character have a relationship which grows from mutual respect to a true friendship as they try to work out peace between the whites and indians. Stewart is looked on as a traitor by his friends and things are complicated further by his relationship with the young Apache girl played by Debra Paget.

I cannot think of another western in which indians have been portrayed as real people with emotions who hurt, who love. When this film was released 50 years ago, blacks, asians and American Indians were still being portrayed using the worst kinds of racial stereotypes.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (32 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Broken Arrow (1950)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
How the West Was Won Major Dundee The Outlaw Josey Wales Shane Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.