Kidskycom It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

FirstWitch A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Hattie I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

Raymond Sierra The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

writers_reign It's no bad thing that serious students of Cinema will always have to deal with this as it represented a forward step in terms of the time (1950) in which it was made and the climate of the time. Seen for the first time in the second decade of the21st century when what may be called reverse ethnic cleansing has seen deification bestowed on everyone from Ghengis Khan to Hitler, Stalin, Papa Doc Duvalier, Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all we may well find nothing remarkable in a film that portrayed the Apache as a Human Being with a 'prick us, do we not bleed' point of view but in 1950 this was revolutionary. Albert Maltz - ironically blacklisted at the time - turned his screenplay over to the capable hands of Delmer Daves, James Stewart and Jeff Chandler, who treated it respectfully and wrought a fine movie out of it.

elvircorhodzic BROKEN ARROW is quite meaningful and romantic western. Nice to see some pacifist message, many symbols that extol tolerance and friendship, and eventually see the Indians (or rather Apache) is at least decent.One man can not reconcile the two warring sides without his own sacrifice. This is the essence. The director has tried to provoke extreme values. In the heart of the story is the kindness, friendship, trust, love ... and on the periphery of the story is hatred, ruthlessness, bigotry and desire to kill. I must admit that the vision and noble character of this film is certainly welcome.There are good and bad people. Indians are just people. Nothing more, nothing less.The story put into the context of brotherly love or Christian virtues is in my view totally unnecessary. Romance is pretty prude, or perhaps could not otherwise given the subject matter.James Stewart as Tom Jeffords is probably the main culprit for peace. Character that the look has all the cards up his sleeve and eventually stumbled on his own words. Lacking is the charm. I expected a lot more from Stewart in romance. Jeff Chandler as Cochise is a character full of strength, politeness and respect. Given the role, it is quite embarrassing to watch him in some affected comical situations. I think that it was necessary to make certain plot about his character.I think this movie is not particularly exciting nor quality, but has a "weird" beauty.

LeonLouisRicci Wholly Beautiful, Poetic, and Thoughtful, this Revisionist Western deserves its respectful Reputation as a "New" Portrayal and Personification of the Native American. Ironically the Movie frequently uses the Moniker "American" to describe the Whites. "Indian" is the Name given to the "Native Americans".Written by (no surprise) one of the "Hollywood Ten" the Blacklisted, Albert Marsh, the Screenplay does not Warmonger and Race Bait. A certainly unpopular and dangerous Ideology in the Segregated/McCarthy/Cold War Decade. The Film is Brave and Bold and telegraphed a Sign of Interracial Marriage and Christian Tolerance of those whose Skin was of a Different Pigmentation. In 1950 this was considered Subversive and almost Anti-American. It is a Wonderful Movie and does not deserve its Modern Criticism of having White Actors in the Role of the Noble Indian Tribe. Logistics, Time, and Practicality was the order of the Day and it Simply could not have been done in Any Other Way. This was not a Racist or Bigoted decision (the Film itself should clearly demonstrate where its Politics leaned). The only Criticism that is the least bit Valid is that the Sets, Costumes, and Environment in general are obviously Hollywood Clean. But that is a Minor Quibble. Other than its Story and Screenplay Shining a much needed Ray of Sun on the Indians in a different and more Objective Way, the Movie is in Gorgeous Technicolor with Oscar Nominated Cinematography. The Acting Headlined by James Stewart, Jeff Chandler (Oscar nominated), and Debra Paget is Fine all around with many a Supporters lending Gravitas to the Proceedings (look for Jay Silverheels in a Pre-Tonto role).Almost Perfect Picture with Minor Problems and Inconsistencies and is rightly Considered one of the Best Westerns of All Time.

gordonl56 BROKEN ARROW – 1950It is the early 1870's in the Arizona Territory, there has been a bloody and vicious war going on for a number of years. The settlers and the Apache tribe under the command of Cochise, have being having a no holds barred fight with various atrocities being traded back and forth. Former soldier and Army scout, Tom Jeffords (Jimmy Stewart) is out riding the hills doing a little gold prospecting. He comes across a young Apache lad suffering from a shotgun wound. He tends to the boy's wounds and helps him heal up. Several days later, a party of Apache show up. It is all the lad can do to stop them from doing in Stewart. The lad tells the leader, Jay Silverheels, that Stewart had saved his life.Silverheels lets Stewart go with a warning to never return. Stewart then witnesses the same group, ambush, and nearly wipe out a small group of prospectors. Stewart returns to town with this tale. Stewart decides that this war needs to end. He has a "tame" Apache teach him how to speak Apache along with their customs etc. A month later he rides off into the mountains, where Cochise, (Jeff Chandler) has his stronghold. The two meet and talk out a minor deal to let Pony Express riders through Cochise's territory. It is the first move towards peace. This effort is not met with joy from everyone. Some of the townsfolk think the only good Indian is a dead Indian. Cochise also has a few malcontents who only want war. When a group of Army troops gets a rather sound beating for trespassing on Apache land, it looks like full-fledged war is going to start up again. However, the U.S. government has sent out General Howard to make a treaty. Howard (Basil Ruysdael) is known as a straight shooter who keeps his word. Ruysdeal convinces Stewart to take him to see Chandler to begin talks for peace. Stewart arranges the meeting. Chandler is not all that inclined to believe a Blue Coat. Stewart tells Chandler that "he" trusts the General. Rules and terms are pounded out and it looks like it will work. Needless to say a group of Apache led by Geronimo (Jay Silverheels) decide to continue the fight. While all this has been going on, Stewart has fallen for Apache maiden, Debra Paget. Stewart wants to marry the girl, who feels likewise towards Stewart. Chandler points out all problems that might arise from such a joining, but Stewart is determined to close the deal. The treaty is a success with the odd hic-up caused by the Apache renegades and some settlers out looking for gold on Apache land. The wedding between Paget and Stewart goes off and the two seem very happy. Several weeks later a lad from town is brought into the Apache camp. He was found on Apache land. The boy, Mickey Kuhn, is the son of the leader, Will Geer, of the Indian haters in town. Kuhn says that two of his young ponies had been stolen and he tracked them to Apache land. Chandler says that if this is true, he will see they are returned. Chandler, Stewart, Paget and Kuhn head up the trail to where the pony tracks lead into Apache land. It turns out the whole thing is a plot to lure Chandler out of camp. 7-8 men led by Geer are waiting to ambush Chandler. Stewart spots the play and tells Chandler to beat it. This he does, but not before dispatching a few of the gunmen. Stewart stands his ground and likewise accounts for several before going down in a hail of lead. Chandler returns with some braves who set off after the remaining ambushers. He finds the wounded Stewart crying over the body of Paget. She had caught a few bullets during the battle and was killed. The death of Paget deepens the bonds of friendship between Chandler and Stewart. Stewart now rides off into the sunset. This film was one of the first to treat the North American Native as something other than brutal savages. It tries to play fair and equal when showing the mistakes and hatred that came from both sides in the conflict. Also in the cast is, Arthur Hunnicutt, John Doucette and Iron Eyes Cody. Iron Eyes Cody was from Louisiana and of Italian decent. He moved to Hollywood, changed his name and pretended to be Native Indian. He appeared in several hundred films and TV shows playing a Native. It was not till the 1990's that it was discovered who he really was. This very fine western was the first of a series of westerns made by director, Delmer Daves. Daves was a writer, producer and director. He started out with war films, DESTINATION TOKYO, PRIDE OF THE MARINES, switched to film noir, TO THE VICTOR, THE RED HOUSE, DARK PASSAGE, before finding himself a home with westerns. His westerns include, BROKEN ARROW, DRUM BEAT, JUBAL, THE BADLANDERS, THE LAST WAGON, COWBOY, THE HANGING TREE and 3: 10 TO YUMA. The film features some excellent camera-work from, 3 time nominated and one time Oscar winning cinematographer, Ernest Planer.The top flight score was from 8 time nominated, and 1 time Oscar winner. Hugo Friedhofer.The film itself was nominated for 3 Oscars with nods for, Best Writing, Best Cinematography and Best Supporting Actor, Jeff Chandler. This one is well worth a watch. (Color)