weezeralfalfa
According to this film, among the Apache, the breaking of an arrow in half was symbolic of a truce agreement. I understand this was actually a custom of the Blackfeet, not the Apache. The Chiricahua Apache, under Cochise and several other leaders, had been waging guerilla warfare against white intruders for at least a decade. The whites demanded protection from the military, who had been mostly ineffective, because of the rough terrain. A gold prospector and would-be peace emissary named Tom Jeffords(Jimmy Stewart) happened upon a wounded Apache boy and nursed him to health. This proved to be his ticket to talk to Cochise(Jeff Chandler) Initially, he finally extracted a promise not to bother the mail carriers who had to ride close to Apache territory. Later, he finally extracted a promise to consider a general truce, provided the terms met his approval. General O. Howard was sent by President Grant(this being 1872) to extract a peace treaty from Cochise. Jeffords guided him to meet with Cochise, and a treaty was signed, giving the Apache control of most of the SE corner area of Arizona territory. But soon some whites who really hated Apaches sprung an ambush on the little party of Cochise, Jeffords, and Jeffords' new wife: Sonseeahray(Morningstar)(Debra Paget). Cochise escaped, and later killed several of the ambushers, but Jeffords and Morningstar didn't find cover fast enough, Jeffords being knocked out by a bullet and left for dead, and Morningstar being killed. Later Jeffords 'wakes up', seemingly with no wound that would cause him to faint. Both Jeffords and Morningstar were crazy to fully expose themselves to multiple rifles, running toward the ambushers. Morningstar was brandishing a knife, so what did she expect?:A very awkward, if crucial, scene.This film is rather unusual for its times in several respects. Firstly, at a time when most westerns were still shot in B&W, it was shot in Technicolor, providing many colorful backdrops from various locations in AZ. Second, it tells the story more from the Native American perspective, as opposed to the usual European viewpoint, still rare, but not unique, at this time(Think "Fort Apache").Thirdly, most of the main characters are based on real people and how they actually interacted with each other. This included General Howard, as well as Jeffords and Cochise. However, Geronimo(Jay Silverheels),as the leader of the treaty-rejecting faction of Apache, didn't really fit into this historical context. Unfortunately, the treaty only lasted 4 years, before an incident caused the territorial whites to demand that the Apache be removed from their area and resettled in a reservation. During this time Jeffords was their government agent. Cochise lived only 2 of those years, dying of natural causes. Unfortunately, nearly all treaties between Native Americans and the US government were short-term expediencies, with the understanding by the US government that eventually all tribes would be confined to reservations, usually far from their traditional homeland, and where useful resources were few. General Howard was later assigned to try to keep the peace in eastern Oregon and Washington. The story of his interactions with Nez Perce Chief Joseph is told in the film "I Will Fight No More Forever": a famous quote from Joseph. Howard was the ideal military commander and treaty negotiator to sue for peace in both these instances. He was unusually tolerant of the Native American viewpoint. Incidentally, he was also a leader in promoting actual equal rights for African Americans, and was a cofounder of Howard University, in Washington, D.C.. If you look closely, you will notice that Howard is missing his right arm, which happened in one of the many Civil War battles he fought in. I found no record of the existence of Sonseeahray,thus assume she is probably fictional. I thought Debra played her a little too wooden and formal. Five years later she again played the lead Indian maiden, again with a rather wooden performance, in "White Feather", with a rather similar plot to the present film, but involving the Cheyenne. Some reviewers comment on the great age disparity between Debra and Stewart as bordering on pedophilia. Occasionally a producer wanted a very young actress to play the romantic lead with an aging male icon who was still very popular. As another example, back in 1941, 16 year old Joan Leslie played a romantic partner, in separate movies, for Gary Cooper and Humphry Bogart, both born at the turn of the century, thus 25 years older than Joan. The producers presumably assumed that very young actresses would be equated by audiences with naïve virginal maidens. In "White Feather", Debra was, more appropriately, only 3 years younger than her costar who, however, lacked Stewart's charisma.Debra and Jeff didn't really fool us as bona fide Apache. Just as whites sometimes were made up to resemble African Americans in musicals, usually the lead Indians in westerns in this era were played by whites, for whatever reason.I don't want to end without mentioning Will Geer, who played the main Apache-hating villain. Will had quite a diverse life, sometimes serving as a folk singer, live theatrical entertainer , political agitator, and botanist, in addition to film and TV assignments. Here, he's just the bad guy, who can't forgive the Apaches for their past transgressions. Will had a major role in another western released in 1950, also shot in Technicolor with spectacular AZ scenery in the background, also largely from the Native American point of view, but the screenwriter must have flunked US history(or hoped we did). It's called "Comanche Territory", and it's a lot more fun than this film or any other western I can think of. Available very cheaply as part of an 10 pack of westerns.
Jonathan Roberts
'Broken Arrow' was one of the first Westerns I ever watched. When I saw it, I didn't know who James Stewart was - and now he stands as one of my favourite actors. Every now and then I post a response to an IMDb thread asking readers which Westerns are their favourites, and 'Broken Arrow' sometimes makes an appearance in my list - a list which mostly consists of much bigger, more expensive and aspirational titles like 'The Searchers' and 'For a Few Dollars More'. What I like about Delmer Daves' comparatively modest Western is its spirit. 'Broken Arrow' appears to be a product of good intentions and intelligent reflection on the Western genre, especially concerning its generally unfavourable portrayal of Native Americans. 'Broken Arrow' wasn't the only Western to do this - 'Apache' did it, as did 'Fort Apache' towards the end. Delmer Daves' film delivers the message most effectively, though, and I attribute this in part to both the strong writing and the effective performances of James Stewart and Jeff Chandler. The Western has come a long way in its extensive history, and films like 'Broken Arrow' are of understated importance in shaping and improving it.
edwagreen
This film shows about bravery, friendship and willing to come to terms to secure a just and lasting peace. It is a story of how sacrifice in the end would attain that objective.In Wyoming, in the 1870s, with the Apaches running rampant-killing on both sides with massacres galore appeared to be the norm for this period.When one man, played by James Stewart, decides that he has seen enough of war, he sets out to convince Cochise (Jeff Chandler, nominated for best supporting actor), to come to terms.We see the Chandler character as war-like, with no trust and ready to do battle. We see a change in character as the film progresses, to someone who is willing to try peace and who realized the oncoming strength of America.Of course, there will be factions who will always try to avert peace by attacks and then blaming the other side. We see this in the tragic incident in the end.Stewart is kind, intelligent, and resourceful. Debra Paget, at age 17, appears as his Indian wife; the woman he loved, so sweet, intelligent and mature for her age.
