Broken Arrow

A good choice for one of the few film portrayals of white and indigenous peoples relations. Filmed in the state where the majority of the events took place, it follows the factual bones of the story of Cochise and Tom Jeffords fairly well. Of course, Hollywood has to sneak in somewhere and the the romantic involvement holds the most obvious fantastical expansion. However, even that angle shares many tidbits about the Apache lifeways that hold true: the lack of kissing, men plucking facial hair vs. shaving, honeymoon wickiups, rituals for feminine coming of age, etc are culturally accurate of the Chiricahua Apache tribe. A glaring short-coming of the film is the depiction of lead Native Americans characters by white actors.

I used this film in my studies of AZ history and recommend it highly.

"Broken Arrow" is considered by most film historian and professors to represent Hollywood's first "big budget" effort to portray Native Americans in a more positive fashion. Yes, I am aware that other movies were also made that sought to more positively portray Native Americans, but "Broken Arrow" stands out for several reasons. First, it is perceived to be "favorably" portraying Cochise and, to a lesser degree the Apaches. [Please note that I will use the better known and more commonly used word, "Apache," when discussing the Dene (Southern Athabaskans). While "Broken Arrow" does use the word "Chiricahua" (the division for which Cochise was the primary leader) this refers to only one division of the Apache nations (Navajo, Western Apache, Chiricahua, Mescalero, Jicarilla, Lipan, and Plains Apache (formerly Kiowa-Apache)).] This is important because one of the most frequently portrayed "bad Indian leaders" prior to "Broken Arrow" was Cochise. Moreover, up to the release of "Broken Arrow" in 1950, the Apaches were portrayed as the "evil, savage, bad guys" more frequently in movies (and other media) than any other Native American nation. An unfortunate and sad irony is that this negative portrayal--overtly or covertly--has continued right up to today (e.g., 2003's "The Missing" with Tommy Lee Jones). Second, "Broken Arrow" was both actively advertised as a "new type of western" that "accurately" portrayed the Apaches, and was done so, at the time, on a very grand scale.

Very loosely based on Elliot Arnold's highly acclaimed historical fiction novel, "Blood Brothers," the writers, director, and producers took what they wanted from the novel and redefined its essence--hence, the movie title was changed to "Broken Arrow," to more accurately reflect the ideas the movie sought to promote. "Blood Brothers" is a richly detailed story that is fully character driven (albeit, Arnold acknowledges that most of the dialog, characterization, and story lines are purely fictional). As such, the greatness, the humanity, the charisma, and the ideals of Cochise dominate "Blood Brothers," while "Broken Arrow" presents only a glimpse at the character of Cochise. "Blood Brothers" is about the bond of true friendship between two very dynamic men in history--two men for which their is very little "historical" data because both were very quiet, private men whose lives were kept that way. "Broken Arrow" is about brokering "peace" and bringing two unique cultures to a position of "living in harmony" (a tangent theme discussed, but not truly resolved in Arnold's "Blood Brothers').

As such, "Broken Arrow" sets about positioning four "distinct" groups: 1) non-Apaches that want to end the fighting and killing ("personified" by James Stewart as Tom Jeffords and Basil Ruysdael as General O. O. Howard); 2) non-Apaches (vocally represented by Will Geer as Ben Slade, a "local" rancher--who has "homesteaded" on Apache land) who want to kill all Apaches; 3) Apaches who are "willing" to give peace a try ("grudgingly" seen in Jeff Chandler's Academy nominated portrayal of Cochise and the Apache extras who simply stand beside Cochise); and 4) Apaches who will not trust the "whites" to abide by their word--an unfortunate fact of history--and "stand alone" from Cochise (as "stoically" rendered by Jay Silverheels (uncredited) as Goyahkla, who proclaims his new name to be Geronimo--the name given to him by the Mexicans--and other "alleged" Apache leaders that opt to "stand alone"). "Broken Arrow" also utilizes a totally fictional romance between Jeffords and Debra Paget's Sonseeahray, or Morning Star, as "translated" by Cochise. (Cochise's ability to translate is an artifact of using English by all the actors; in reality Cochise spoke some Spanish and Apache only, so could not translate the name into English.) This romance is protracted as a force for "integrated" peace and as a foil to preventing the "peace" to occur. Hence, it is given a great amount of screen time, and allowed the film makers to include scenes of various Apache "ceremonies"--again, a film technique that enhanced the "positive" character of the movie and, as a "result," the Apaches.

"Broken Arrow" is a beautifully filmed, brilliantly acted (Western) movie classic. The movie is romantic (in more ways than one), uplifting, gratifying, and hopeful. "Broken Arrow" is a film that, I think, everyone should see at least once. While the DVD transfer is marginally better than the VHS version, it would have been nice if Fox had spent the time to render the film into wide screen formate and included some insightful extra features to enhance the viewing and understanding of this phenomenal movie.

That "Broken Arrow" broke the mold is unquestionable; that it set a trend is sadly incorrect. In setting up four distinct groups as protagonist and antagonists, "Broken Arrow" inadvertently established a pattern that future films would make extensive use of in portraying Native Americans. That is, as long as the film involves a sympathetic group ("tribe," "band," or nation), the film can go on to vilify any, and all, other Native Americans in the film. It was no accident that the Pawnee were selected as the "bad" Indians in "Dances With Wolves." The Pawnee frequently wore their hair in a style that has come to be known as a "Mohawk"--a row of hair down the middle of the head. Why? Because the "Mohawks" have, like the Apaches, been consistently portrayed as brutally violent people that "thrive on killing." And the "Mohawks" are an Eastern nation that is still perceived stereotypically by people, despite their level of understanding about Native Americans. Indeed, few people even recognize, let alone acknowledge that Di Nero's character in "Taxi Driver" "must" first become a "Mohawk" to go out and kill. It should also be noted that, unlike in the movie, the treaty had a number of stipulations, including making Jeffords the Indian Agent to the newly created reservation. While "Broken Arrow" suggests that things went well after the "treaty," the fact is they did not. Within a year or so, Cochise died, Jeffords was force out of his position, the reservation was "closed," and Cochise's people were moved to the larger, incredibly undesirable San Carlos Reservation. In essence, the "treaty" never really was fulfilled and "peace" would not come until nearly all Chiricahuas were made prisoners of war, first in Florida, then Alabama, and finally Oklahoma; while Tom Jeffords became, essentially, an embittered recluse.

From a scholarly point of view, one could argue that the "success" of "Broken Arrow" blinded people to the soon to be enforced policies of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (B.I.A.). Dillon S. Meyer, who directed the Japanese War Relocation Authority (1942-46), was named new Commissioner of Indian Affairs and convinced Congress to enact the "Indian Relocation Act" that moved Native Americans from reservations to urban centers (at first without their consent) and the various Indian land "Termination Acts" that abrogated treaties and "disenfranchised" various Indian reservations: Public Law 280, passed in 1953, gave the State governments the power to assume jurisdiction over Indian reservations. During 1953-1964, 109 tribes were terminated, approximately 1,365,801 acres of trust land were removed from protected status, and 13,263 Native Americans lost tribal affiliation. While President Nixon and Congress effectively ended these policies in 1974, they still stand on the books as a potential threat.

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The acting in this movie is great. It tells a story of whites and idians and how they could get along. It is also a love story. James Stewat and Jeff Chandler are what really makes this movie. If you like classic westerns this is one that I think you will enjoy.

In a way, this film is a forerunner for Kevin Costner's "Dances with Wolves" in the fact that it was one of the first films to show Indians in a more positive light. James Stewart as a real life character, Tom Jeffords, learns to understand the Indians thru his friendship with Cochise (brilliantly played by Jeff Chandler in an Oscar nominated performance)and subsequently marrying an Indian maiden (Debra Paget at her loveliest). Delmar Davies, a very under-rated director, could always put out a decent Western as he did with "Jubal" & "3:10 to Yuma", excels here in his senstivity and handling of his subject. Perhaps our soon to be gone President should've looked at this film before he made his fateful decision to start a war. The photography and Stewart's heart-felt performance make this a must-see for his fans and of course,Western buffs. It's a tribute to his artistry that he created 2 distinctly different characters in two Westerns that year--this one and of course, Anthony Mann's "Winchester 73". But do check this one out.

I just want to say that I am very pleased with this DVD. The picture and sound quality was excellent, and for anyone seeking wholesome family entertainment with a Western accent these days,this is an excellent choice. James Stewart's portrayal of Tom Jeffords is outstanding, as is Jeff Chandler's as Cochise. I doubt, though, that the real Cochise had blue eyes! Considering that this movie was made in 1950, it was definitely ahead of its time in its very fair treatment of Native Americans as human beings rather than as brutish savages. There are some nice bits of information on Apache social customs, too. Kudos to Amazon for offering such a great product at a reasonable price.