Broken Arrow

Watch Broken Arrow

"The Most Powerful Weapon is Courage.."
  • Approved
  • 1950
  • 1 hr 33 min
  • 7.2  (9,485)

Broken Arrow is a Western movie from 1950 that tells the story of Tom Jeffords (played by James Stewart), a former soldier turned scout who is trying to make peace between the Apache tribe and the white settlers. The movie starts with Tom Jeffords journeying through the wilderness when he encounters a young Apache boy who has been shot. After taking the boy to a nearby fort, Tom meets the boy's sister Sonseeahray (played by Debra Paget), who is not happy with the white men and their constant encroachment upon their lands. However, Tom is different from most white men and makes an effort to understand and respect their culture. He learns their language and even negotiates a peace treaty between his people and the Apaches.

As the story unfolds, we see Tom's genuine concerns for the Apaches and his efforts to bridge the gap between them and the white settlers. He becomes friends with the Apache leader Cochise (played by Jeff Chandler) despite initial tension between them. Cochise respects Tom's honesty and is willing to work with him to ensure a peaceful coexistence between their two peoples.

However, not everyone is happy with the peace treaty. Some white settlers are looking to drive the Apaches out of their lands and are not afraid to use force to do so. Tom becomes a target of their anger and must navigate the dangerous political climate to ensure the peace treaty stays intact.

Broken Arrow is notable for its sympathetic portrayal of Native Americans, which was rare for a Western movie at the time. The movie portrays the Apaches as complex and human instead of the typical Hollywood stereotype of savage, bloodthirsty warriors. The movie was also groundbreaking in its depiction of an interracial relationship between Tom and Sonseeahray.

James Stewart delivers a solid performance as Tom Jeffords, portraying him as a man of integrity and compassion who is willing to go against the status quo to do what he believes is right. Jeff Chandler also gives an impressive performance as Cochise, the conflicted Apache leader who is trying to protect his people while navigating the treacherous waters of politics and war.

The movie's cinematography is also noteworthy, with stunning landscapes of Arizona's Monument Valley providing a stunning backdrop for the action. The movie also features a memorable score by composer Hugo Friedhofer, which adds to the movie's emotional impact.

Overall, Broken Arrow is a classic Western that tackles issues of race, culture, and tolerance in a thoughtful and nuanced way. Its groundbreaking portrayal of Native Americans and interracial relationships helped pave the way for more diverse representation in Hollywood movies.

Broken Arrow is a 1950 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.

Broken Arrow
Description
Where to Watch Broken Arrow
Broken Arrow is available to watch free on Peacock, Plex and Tubi TV. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Broken Arrow for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1950
  • MPAA Rating
    Approved
  • Runtime
    1 hr 33 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.2  (9,485)