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James Stewart, Jeff Chandler, Debra Paget, Basil Ruysdael, Will Geer ... see more see more... , Joyce Mackenzie , Arthur Hunnicutt , Raymond Bramley , Jay Silverheels , Argentina Brunetti , Robert Adler , Harry Carter , Robert Griffin , Billy Wilkerson , Mickey Kuhn , J.W. Cody , John War Eagle , Charles Soldani , Iron Eyes Cody , Edwin Rand , John Doucette , Trevor Bardette , Nacho Galindo , John Marston , Jack Lee , Chris Willow Bird , Chief John War Eagle

Indian scout Tom Jeffords (James Stewart) is sent out to stem the war between the Whites and Apaches in the late 1870s. He learns (through an uncomfortably close encounter) that the Indians kill only ... read more read more...to protect themselves, or out of retaliation for white atrocities. Befriending the sagacious Apache leader Cochise (Jeff Chandler), Jeffords ensures safe passage for white mail-carriers through Indian territory. As he becomes closer to his Native American "brothers", Jeffords falls in love with and weds a pretty Apache girl (Debra Paget). This being a 1950 film (miscegenation was frowned upon by the Production Code), you can guess what happens to her. Jeffords wants to avenge his bride's death at the hands of white renegades, but it is the so-called "savage" Cochise who advises him not to. Having learned much from each other, Jeffords and Cochise symbolize the white/Indian detente with the traditional broken arrow. This superb, non-condescending film has been criticized in some circles because of the alleged depiction of Cochise as an Indian "Uncle Tom", and because actor Jeff Chandler was not a genuine Native American. Nonetheless, Broken Arrow stands the test of time far more successfully than the later, politically correct Dances with Wolves. In 1956, Broken Arrow was adapted into a TV series starring John Lupton as Jeffords and Michael Ansara as Cochise. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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66% liked it

848 ratings

Unrated, 1 hr. 33 min.

Directed by: Delmer Daves

Release Date: January 1, 1950

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DVD Release Date: May 22, 2007

Stats: 78 reviews

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Jeff Chandler in Broken Arrow James Stewart & Jeff Chandler in Broken Arrow Broken Arrow
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Flixster Reviews (78)

  • ajv2688
    October 26, 2010
    ajv2688
    James Stewart is cool in this movie trying to get the Europeans and Native Americans to get along. Both he and the audience learn a lot. Of course this isn't the best western, but I liked it.
  • ythelastman89
    June 28, 2010
    ythelastman89
    I actually really like this and think it has a very nice message and sense of direction. James Stewart fits well into the earnest cowboy role, essentially becoming the peacemaker of Arizona. While some of the Indians don't come across as authentic looking, it doesn't really matte... read morer. I'd rather watch Jeff Chandler as Cochise than a real Native American who can't act. This is a very different type of Western and one that has a very unique quality to it.
  • donnarenee2006
    July 4, 2007
    donnarenee2006
    I requested this one to be added. One of them old cowboy movies, set on our area, of the Apaches in AZ. Just one of them classic western tales Cochise and Geronimo. Fun movie to watch.

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Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
May 7, 2006
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

One of the first Hollywood movies to preach for accord between Native Americans and white civilization. While the liberal ideology is commendable, the portrayal of Cochise by white actor Jeff Chandler... Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
July 15, 2005
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

My gosh! It's a Western with a liberal cry for peace, racial harmony and tolerance. Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Bosley Crowther
January 28, 2006
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

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Carol Cling
September 5, 2003
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

February 9, 2006
Time Out

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May 24, 2003
Film4

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