Western Wednesdays: Broken Arrow (1950)

     Not to be confused with the John Woo film from the 1990's, Broken Arrow was released on July 21st, 1950. It is directed by Delmer Daves and with a screenplay by Albert Maltz (under the pseudonym Micheal Blankfort) from the novel Blood Brother by Elliott Arnold. It tells the true story of Tom Jeffords (James Stewart) an Indian agent who helped to secure the peace treaty with Cochise (Jeff Chandler).

     In many ways Broken Arrow anticipates Kevin Costner's Dances With Wolves. Both films feature largely positive portrayals of Native Americans and a more condemnatory view of our country's treatment of Native Americans. Both also focus on a white man who intermarries into a native tribe. This film was way ahead of its time. Many westerns of the 40's and 50s portray white/native relations in a critical way, but none, at least that I've seen, take it quite this far. Near the end of the film Jeffords' wife is killed by hateful white men, and this nearly breaks him. He is ready to pursue vengeance against these men and throw away the peace he has built with Cochise and it's Cochise himself who restrains Jeffords and saves the treaty.

Like most westerns, Broken Arrow takes some liberties with history. The biggest is the romance between Jeffords and Sonseeahray (Debra Paget), which is a complete fabrication. The real Jeffords was never married, much less to an Apache bride, and the marriage ceremony shown in the film is not an authentic Apache one. Besides this, however, the film is surprisingly historically accurate. Tom Jeffords really did befriend Cochise and help to forge the treaty which was overseen by General Oliver Howard also known as "the Christian General" (played in the film by Basil Ruysdael).
 

In general, the romance is the weakest part of the film. It feels rushed as the two characters simply don't have enough time to believably fall in love. With that said, director Delmer Daves does a good job with the scenes between Jeffords and Sonseeahray. Daves is a skilled director and makes good use of tracking shots and interesting framing throughout the film. The cinematography by Ernest Palmer, is not the best. The lighting is a little bland and the bright technicolor look does not suit the dark, violent nature of the narrative.

    For a film made in 1950, Broken Arrow is unexpectedly dark and violent. The film opens with Jeffords nursing a wounded young Apache back to life, only to be captured by his fellow tribesman. They let him go free but only after slaughtering a group of prospectors. Jeffords watches, bound and gagged, as the survivors are tied up and covered in syrup, so that ants can feast on their flesh. This kind of dark violence helps to give the film's message more weight. In the face of this kind of violence, Jeffords and Cochise's efforts toward peace is all the more admirable.

     Of the cast, Stewart and Chandler are clearly in command. They relationship between Jeffords and Cochise is easily the best part of the film, and a lot of that comes down to the performances. Stewart brings his usual mix of lovably affable and darkly short-tempered to Tom Jeffords. This is a man who could help to forge a peace with a desperate, warlike tribe but also one who reacts with violent outbursts when insulted or attacked. Chandler's Cochise is every bit the noble leader. His leadership of the Apaches is guided by prudence. He tells the elders of his tribe, "If a big wind comes, a tree must bend or be lifted out by its roots." At the same time he seems genuinely human, possessing a keen sense of humor and an obvious affection for those closest to him. As he and Jeffords grow in respect for each other, so do we as an audience.

     Broken Arrow broke (no pun intended) new ground for the portrayal of Native Americans on film. A western more grounded in historical fact then most, it also features solid direction from Delmer Daves and stellar performances from its two leads. For genre fans, it's indispensable.


Score: 8/10