Broken Arrow (1950)
20th Century-Fox
Director: Delmer Daves
Starring: James Stewart, Jeff Chandler, Debra Paget
This post-war western takes a positive progressive viewpoint towards the genres favorite depicted enemies in Native Americans. Despite the continued Hollywood practice to whitewash leading racial roles Broken Arrow presents a sympathetic view towards the native people whose land was invaded by the ever-expanding American settlers delivering a motion picture that remains favored within the genre over the more politically correct films in years to come. A fictionalized story inspired by history this western aided in Jimmy Stewart’s reimagined leading man status a new genre for the star and introduced audiences to a rising face in Hollywood, Jeff Chandler.
Broken Arrow is a western about a former soldier that helps bring a peace between white settlers and the Apache nation in the Arizona territory. Former Union soldier finding his way in the American frontier Tom Jeffords’ (James Stewart) sympathies and understanding of the Apache language and customs leads to his recruitment to broker a treaty with Apache leader Cochise (Jeff Chandler) that allows safe passage of US mail through the natives’ territory. Through the negotiations he falls in love and marries a young Apache, Sonseeahray (Debra Paget), further cementing his connection with the local tribe with a hope for a prolonged peace. However, factions remain on both sides that continue to cause issue between settlers and Apache. Angered Apache warrior Geronimo leads an attack on a stagecoach, continuing the unrest. Attempting to keep the peace Jeffords investigates rumors of another rumored native attack when he is ambushed by an Apache hating white rancher, wounding Jeffords and while slaying his young bride. Cochise forbids Jeffords of retaliation knowing revenge will only bring about more hatred and death as Jeffords use comes to terms to remember Sonseeahay as the representative bond of peace for the Apache nation.
What this western does is utilize the growing popular genre aw a tool to promote social justice in the world, which is perhaps a less than popular idea in a setting that loved to demonize “Indians.” Though inspired by real events, Broken Arrow shares a message that retaliation is not the way to construction progress. Jimmy Stewart surprisingly proves to play well a rugged frontiersman with a heart for fair treatment in a kind story about justice, social equality, and a hint of romance. Beautifully shot on location in Arizona the natural beauty of the landscape is captured in vivid color. The greatest drawback to the picture cn be seen in white actors Chandler and Paget portraying Native Americans in make-up while so many supporting and background Apaches are portrayed by people of native blood. Concise, well written, and beautifully shot the film makes for a very solid, easy western for any typical viewer to watch.
Like many of the well written progressive films of the era Broken Arrow was penned by a member of the Hollywood black listed screenwriters during the Red Scare following WWII. Albert Maltz, credited under the pen name “Michael Blankfort,” was inspiration by credited co-writer and novelist Elliot Arnold’s work “Blood Brother” to structure a story about racism. Its quite mark on society was an entertaining western that challenged unwritten Production Code rules against interracial romances as well as well as its message about the mistreatment of people that are simply not white.
This feature would be Stewart’s first role in his transition into a western leading man as production began in the summer of 1949. However, his second western appearance in Winchester ’73 would release prior to Broken Arrow in 1950, therefore would be perceived as his second in a very successful year for Stewart. Despite his prior roles as meek, yet passionate men he delivers a tremendous performance as a weathered former soldier making his way in the western frontiers who helps broker peace between settlers and natives. Even his romantic relationship with the young Apache girl Sonseeahray, played by 15 year-old Debra Paget when production began, over 25 years his junior, appears to carry genuine weight in his performance. As a character Jeffords’ stiff yet varied emotions from sympathy, duty, anger, rage, and acceptance of sacrifice carries the picture that easily could be overshadowed by the action of a western where many viewers would simply look for fights between cowboys and Indians.
The greatest trouble this Delmar Daves directed project had leading up to shooting was finding the right actor to portray Cochise, the warrior leader of the Apache people with whom finds peace with Jeffords. Hollywood was still unwilling to hand over a meaty role to any ethic actor. This meant there was a need to find a white actor with an exotic enough look and delivery to fill the role. Producers wanted someone without an established screen presence, but could be easily easy on the eyes of the press and public, finding Jeff Chandler, a Brooklyn born actor with a distinctly chiseled jaw and features painted a darker shade to give a Native American appearance. Chandler was used in a similar manner in 1949’s Sword of the Desert, using his features to portray a man from the Middle East, but hear playing a more stoic Native American. Chandler gained great notoriety as the Apache leader earning an Academy Award nomination and boosting himself to a very successful career under Universal during the 1950s.
Broken Arrow was generally well praised upon release and become known as one of the great sympathetic westerns of the era noted for its sympathetic views towards Native Americans. In the time following WWII when America was wrestling with the demons of social injustice while riding economic success of a white middle class this film takes the opportunity to manifest life of a people on the other side of American history. The Apaches are not draw to look completely as savages, but a people forced to change and putting in an effort to do so to coexist. In some respect Native Americans disliked the film due to Cochise made to be the “Uncle Tom” of Apaches. But for this period in American popular culture this was progress, and that was better than nothing.
As a western Broken Arrow would continue to be well received in time, although criticized for Chandler and Paget being cast was Native Americans. Jay Silverheels, an Indigenous Canadian actor, had portrayed the angrier Geronimo while many local Arizona natives were cast as extras, but Hollywood’s practice of painting white actors to portray other ethnicities was still in use and it would hurt the film legacy in history. However, the film remains a favorite of the genre even above the more politically favorite 1990 Best Picture winner Dances with Wolves, which shares a very similar plot.
Broken Arrow was considered one of the top westerns at the end of the 20th century looking back on industry’s history, but as with any movie it continues to fade into history. For Jimmy Stewart fans it along with Winchester ’73 marks a significant change in star’s career as he moved into becoming a major player in westerns, further cementing the actor into the legend he has become.
Director: Delmer Daves
Starring: James Stewart, Jeff Chandler, Debra Paget
This post-war western takes a positive progressive viewpoint towards the genres favorite depicted enemies in Native Americans. Despite the continued Hollywood practice to whitewash leading racial roles Broken Arrow presents a sympathetic view towards the native people whose land was invaded by the ever-expanding American settlers delivering a motion picture that remains favored within the genre over the more politically correct films in years to come. A fictionalized story inspired by history this western aided in Jimmy Stewart’s reimagined leading man status a new genre for the star and introduced audiences to a rising face in Hollywood, Jeff Chandler.
Broken Arrow is a western about a former soldier that helps bring a peace between white settlers and the Apache nation in the Arizona territory. Former Union soldier finding his way in the American frontier Tom Jeffords’ (James Stewart) sympathies and understanding of the Apache language and customs leads to his recruitment to broker a treaty with Apache leader Cochise (Jeff Chandler) that allows safe passage of US mail through the natives’ territory. Through the negotiations he falls in love and marries a young Apache, Sonseeahray (Debra Paget), further cementing his connection with the local tribe with a hope for a prolonged peace. However, factions remain on both sides that continue to cause issue between settlers and Apache. Angered Apache warrior Geronimo leads an attack on a stagecoach, continuing the unrest. Attempting to keep the peace Jeffords investigates rumors of another rumored native attack when he is ambushed by an Apache hating white rancher, wounding Jeffords and while slaying his young bride. Cochise forbids Jeffords of retaliation knowing revenge will only bring about more hatred and death as Jeffords use comes to terms to remember Sonseeahay as the representative bond of peace for the Apache nation.
What this western does is utilize the growing popular genre aw a tool to promote social justice in the world, which is perhaps a less than popular idea in a setting that loved to demonize “Indians.” Though inspired by real events, Broken Arrow shares a message that retaliation is not the way to construction progress. Jimmy Stewart surprisingly proves to play well a rugged frontiersman with a heart for fair treatment in a kind story about justice, social equality, and a hint of romance. Beautifully shot on location in Arizona the natural beauty of the landscape is captured in vivid color. The greatest drawback to the picture cn be seen in white actors Chandler and Paget portraying Native Americans in make-up while so many supporting and background Apaches are portrayed by people of native blood. Concise, well written, and beautifully shot the film makes for a very solid, easy western for any typical viewer to watch.
Like many of the well written progressive films of the era Broken Arrow was penned by a member of the Hollywood black listed screenwriters during the Red Scare following WWII. Albert Maltz, credited under the pen name “Michael Blankfort,” was inspiration by credited co-writer and novelist Elliot Arnold’s work “Blood Brother” to structure a story about racism. Its quite mark on society was an entertaining western that challenged unwritten Production Code rules against interracial romances as well as well as its message about the mistreatment of people that are simply not white.
This feature would be Stewart’s first role in his transition into a western leading man as production began in the summer of 1949. However, his second western appearance in Winchester ’73 would release prior to Broken Arrow in 1950, therefore would be perceived as his second in a very successful year for Stewart. Despite his prior roles as meek, yet passionate men he delivers a tremendous performance as a weathered former soldier making his way in the western frontiers who helps broker peace between settlers and natives. Even his romantic relationship with the young Apache girl Sonseeahray, played by 15 year-old Debra Paget when production began, over 25 years his junior, appears to carry genuine weight in his performance. As a character Jeffords’ stiff yet varied emotions from sympathy, duty, anger, rage, and acceptance of sacrifice carries the picture that easily could be overshadowed by the action of a western where many viewers would simply look for fights between cowboys and Indians.
The greatest trouble this Delmar Daves directed project had leading up to shooting was finding the right actor to portray Cochise, the warrior leader of the Apache people with whom finds peace with Jeffords. Hollywood was still unwilling to hand over a meaty role to any ethic actor. This meant there was a need to find a white actor with an exotic enough look and delivery to fill the role. Producers wanted someone without an established screen presence, but could be easily easy on the eyes of the press and public, finding Jeff Chandler, a Brooklyn born actor with a distinctly chiseled jaw and features painted a darker shade to give a Native American appearance. Chandler was used in a similar manner in 1949’s Sword of the Desert, using his features to portray a man from the Middle East, but hear playing a more stoic Native American. Chandler gained great notoriety as the Apache leader earning an Academy Award nomination and boosting himself to a very successful career under Universal during the 1950s.
Broken Arrow was generally well praised upon release and become known as one of the great sympathetic westerns of the era noted for its sympathetic views towards Native Americans. In the time following WWII when America was wrestling with the demons of social injustice while riding economic success of a white middle class this film takes the opportunity to manifest life of a people on the other side of American history. The Apaches are not draw to look completely as savages, but a people forced to change and putting in an effort to do so to coexist. In some respect Native Americans disliked the film due to Cochise made to be the “Uncle Tom” of Apaches. But for this period in American popular culture this was progress, and that was better than nothing.
As a western Broken Arrow would continue to be well received in time, although criticized for Chandler and Paget being cast was Native Americans. Jay Silverheels, an Indigenous Canadian actor, had portrayed the angrier Geronimo while many local Arizona natives were cast as extras, but Hollywood’s practice of painting white actors to portray other ethnicities was still in use and it would hurt the film legacy in history. However, the film remains a favorite of the genre even above the more politically favorite 1990 Best Picture winner Dances with Wolves, which shares a very similar plot.
Broken Arrow was considered one of the top westerns at the end of the 20th century looking back on industry’s history, but as with any movie it continues to fade into history. For Jimmy Stewart fans it along with Winchester ’73 marks a significant change in star’s career as he moved into becoming a major player in westerns, further cementing the actor into the legend he has become.
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