BROKEN ARROW
US, 1950, 92 minutes, Colour.
James Stewart, Jeff Chandler, Debra Paget, Basil Ruysdael, Will Geer. Arthur Hunnicutt, Jay Silverheels.
Directed by Delmer Daves.
Broken Arrow is a classic western. It was considered to be the first western which presented the Indians in equality with white Americans. Some of the dialogue is still quite strong in its affirmation of the dignity of the Indian and his way of life. James Stewart was an excellent choice for the central character, a typical strong American of integrity who could make a bridge between white men and red men. Stewart is very much at home in the central role. Jeff Chandler sparked his successful but short career with a strong performance as Cochise (later to reprise it in the minor western Battle At Apache Pass. Debra Paget was at the beginning of her career as the Indian heroine. There is fine use of location photography, a blend of action, Indian customs and reflection on the wars with the Indians. There is tragedy as well as a hope for equality in the United States.
Direction is by Delmer Daves, a writer director who was working with thrillers at this time, moved into action adventures and was to make a number of very successful westerns including Jubal, 3.10 From Yuma, Cowboy. In the '60s he made a number of soap operas like A Summer Place, Susan Slade, Parrish. Broken Arrow led to a television series in the '50s, and to many films urging tolerance for Native American Indians.
1. A good western? Western themes, characters? An Indian western? Its insights into racism and race relationships?
2. The impact of the film in 1950? A classic western? Its taking up the cause of Indian rights? Its influence on film portraying Indians in the 1950s especially? Does the film now seem dated, especially in view of subsequent westerns?
3. Conventions of the western - location photography, Arizona, the open spaces, the towns, travelling? The battles between whites and Indians? The Indian western score?
4. The choice of the stars: James Stewart as the typical American? His persuasiveness in this dramatic as well as moralising role? Jeff Chandler and his interpretation of Cochise?
5. The device of Tom Jeffords' narrative? Authentic yet solemn? Personal yet moralising? Hopeful? James Stewart's speaking style, telling of the events, his feelings, the background, the repercussions? A persuasive device for the points being made?
6. Tom Jeffords as an American type? The way he told his story, involvement in the Civil War, the war with the Apaches? Prospecting for gold? Helping the young Indian boy - threatened by the Indians? His fears? The result of his life being saved? His motives for meeting Cochise? Learning the Apache language? The build up to the meeting with Cochise and his telling the truth? The Indian girl on the solemn night and her prayer? His pleading for the mail to go through? The meeting with the men, the hostility, the $300 bet? The success of the mail going through despite the Indian raids? White hostilities? Jeffords almost lynched? His being saved by the cavalry officer? The discussion about a peace treaty? His testing out the officer? His going to negotiate with Cochise? Geronimo and the breakaway group? The betrayal by the white group? His love for the Indian girl, courtship and rituals, the marriage ceremony, her death? His bitterness? Cochise's advice? His integrity and achievement?
7. The portrait of Cochise, dignity and strength of the Indian leader, his power with his people, his participation in the war? The admiration of his people yet Geronimo breaking away? The discussions about Indian rights, Indian tradition, Indian lore? The discussions with Jeffords on the good and bad of treaties? The wisdom of the armistice? The negotiations with the cavalry officer? The pledges of President Grant? The wisdom in the Indians not breaking the treaty?
8. The Indian girl and her prayer, encounter with Jeffords by the river with the mirror, their accidental meetings, the ritual dance, Jeffords' negotiations to marry her, the marriage ceremony, the pathos of her death? The point made about her being a pledge and sacrifice for the ratification of the treaty?
9. The Christian General and the attitudes of Washington? His powers of negotiation? Jeffords' friends? The white enemies? The brutality of the attempted lynching?
10. The white group and its racism towards the Indians? The ambush? A parallel with Geronimo and his pinning down the stagecoach group? Cochise coming to the rescue of the whites?
11. The typical Indian vs. whites sequences? Battles? Deaths? In the context of this film?
12. The possibilities of equality, peace? History in retrospect? The American heritage?
