According to this film, among the Apache, the breaking of an arrow in half was symbolic of a truce agreement. I understand this was actually a custom of the Blackfeet, not the Apache. The Chiricahua Apache, under Cochise and several other leaders, had been waging guerilla warfare against white intruders for at least a decade. The whites demanded protection from the military, who had been mostly ineffective, because of the rough terrain. A gold prospector and would-be peace emissary named Tom Jeffords(Jimmy Stewart) happened upon a wounded Apache boy and nursed him to health. This proved to be his ticket to talk to Cochise(Jeff Chandler) Initially, he finally extracted a promise not to bother the mail carriers who had to ride close to Apache territory. Later, he finally extracted a promise to consider a general truce, provided the terms met his approval. General O. Howard was sent by President Grant(this being 1872) to extract a peace treaty from Cochise. Jeffords guided him to meet with Cochise, and a treaty was signed, giving the Apache control of most of the SE corner area of Arizona territory. But soon some whites who really hated Apaches sprung an ambush on the little party of Cochise, Jeffords, and Jeffords' new wife: Sonseeahray(Morningstar)(Debra Paget). Cochise escaped, and later killed several of the ambushers, but Jeffords and Morningstar didn't find cover fast enough, Jeffords being knocked out by a bullet and left for dead, and Morningstar being killed. Later Jeffords 'wakes up', seemingly with no wound that would cause him to faint. Both Jeffords and Morningstar were crazy to fully expose themselves to multiple rifles, running toward the ambushers. Morningstar was brandishing a knife, so what did she expect?:A very awkward, if crucial, scene.This film is rather unusual for its times in several respects. Firstly, at a time when most westerns were still shot in B&W, it was shot in Technicolor, providing many colorful backdrops from various locations in AZ. Second, it tells the story more from the Native American perspective, as opposed to the usual European viewpoint, still rare, but not unique, at this time(Think "Fort Apache").Thirdly, most of the main characters are based on real people and how they actually interacted with each other. This included General Howard, as well as Jeffords and Cochise. However, Geronimo(Jay Silverheels),as the leader of the treaty-rejecting faction of Apache, didn't really fit into this historical context. Unfortunately, the treaty only lasted 4 years, before an incident caused the territorial whites to demand that the Apache be removed from their area and resettled in a reservation. During this time Jeffords was their government agent. Cochise lived only 2 of those years, dying of natural causes. Unfortunately, nearly all treaties between Native Americans and the US government were short-term expediencies, with the understanding by the US government that eventually all tribes would be confined to reservations, usually far from their traditional homeland, and where useful resources were few. General Howard was later assigned to try to keep the peace in eastern Oregon and Washington. The story of his interactions with Nez Perce Chief Joseph is told in the film "I Will Fight No More Forever": a famous quote from Joseph. Howard was the ideal military commander and treaty negotiator to sue for peace in both these instances. He was unusually tolerant of the Native American viewpoint. Incidentally, he was also a leader in promoting actual equal rights for African Americans, and was a cofounder of Howard University, in Washington, D.C.. If you look closely, you will notice that Howard is missing his right arm, which happened in one of the many Civil War battles he fought in. I found no record of the existence of Sonseeahray,thus assume she is probably fictional. I thought Debra played her a little too wooden and formal. Five years later she again played the lead Indian maiden, again with a rather wooden performance, in "White Feather", with a rather similar plot to the present film, but involving the Cheyenne. Some reviewers comment on the great age disparity between Debra and Stewart as bordering on pedophilia. Occasionally a producer wanted a very young actress to play the romantic lead with an aging male icon who was still very popular. As another example, back in 1941, 16 year old Joan Leslie played a romantic partner, in separate movies, for Gary Cooper and Humphry Bogart, both born at the turn of the century, thus 25 years older than Joan. The producers presumably assumed that very young actresses would be equated by audiences with naïve virginal maidens. In "White Feather", Debra was, more appropriately, only 3 years younger than her costar who, however, lacked Stewart's charisma.Debra and Jeff didn't really fool us as bona fide Apache. Just as whites sometimes were made up to resemble African Americans in musicals, usually the lead Indians in westerns in this era were played by whites, for whatever reason.I don't want to end without mentioning Will Geer, who played the main Apache-hating villain. Will had quite a diverse life, sometimes serving as a folk singer, live theatrical entertainer , political agitator, and botanist, in addition to film and TV assignments. Here, he's just the bad guy, who can't forgive the Apaches for their past transgressions. Will had a major role in another western released in 1950, also shot in Technicolor with spectacular AZ scenery in the background, also largely from the Native American point of view, but the screenwriter must have flunked US history(or hoped we did). It's called "Comanche Territory", and it's a lot more fun than this film or any other western I can think of. Available very cheaply as part of an 10 pack of westerns.

Wholly Beautiful, Poetic, and Thoughtful, this Revisionist Western deserves its respectful Reputation as a "New" Portrayal and Personification of the Native American. Ironically the Movie frequently uses the Moniker "American" to describe the Whites. "Indian" is the Name given to the "Native Americans".Written by (no surprise) one of the "Hollywood Ten" the Blacklisted, Albert Marsh, the Screenplay does not Warmonger and Race Bait. A certainly unpopular and dangerous Ideology in the Segregated/McCarthy/Cold War Decade. The Film is Brave and Bold and telegraphed a Sign of Interracial Marriage and Christian Tolerance of those whose Skin was of a Different Pigmentation. In 1950 this was considered Subversive and almost Anti-American. It is a Wonderful Movie and does not deserve its Modern Criticism of having White Actors in the Role of the Noble Indian Tribe. Logistics, Time, and Practicality was the order of the Day and it Simply could not have been done in Any Other Way. This was not a Racist or Bigoted decision (the Film itself should clearly demonstrate where its Politics leaned). The only Criticism that is the least bit Valid is that the Sets, Costumes, and Environment in general are obviously Hollywood Clean. But that is a Minor Quibble. Other than its Story and Screenplay Shining a much needed Ray of Sun on the Indians in a different and more Objective Way, the Movie is in Gorgeous Technicolor with Oscar Nominated Cinematography. The Acting Headlined by James Stewart, Jeff Chandler (Oscar nominated), and Debra Paget is Fine all around with many a Supporters lending Gravitas to the Proceedings (look for Jay Silverheels in a Pre-Tonto role).Almost Perfect Picture with Minor Problems and Inconsistencies and is rightly Considered one of the Best Westerns of All Time.

" . . . to your Secret Place." So Tom Jeffords takes a breather from his archery lessons by Apache Chief Cochise to take some "Me Time" with his bride, Sonseeahray, at their honeymoon Wikiup that she'd built. But it would take nearly a century for the U.S. Supreme Court to declare mixed-race marriages legal in America, so the Red State One Per Centers--shouting "God made Adam and Eve, NOT Adam and Sonseeahreeve!"--begin taking potshots at the happy couple while the scabs on their hands from the wedding ceremony are still crusty. You just know that a marital union is getting off on the wrong foot when the bride is sporting a through-and-through belly would during Week One. Young kids today often question why all 887 Tribal Nations enumerated in the 1490 Western Hemispheric Census "surrendered" to the One Per Center Fat Cats "just visiting" from Europe. "Isn't even ONE of the 887 making a stand against these Nazi forefathers today?" they ask incredulously. BROKEN ARROW illustrates why "Indian Reservations" in the U.S. and elsewhere are "Sovereign Nations" in name only. Though there may be tiny pockets of free range people scattered across South America's Rain Forests, Mr. Dollar continues to hold every man, woman, and child in the U.S. hostage. The Oscar-nominated writer of BROKEN ARROW had to work under an assumed name to avoid being lynched by the Mad Dog Monied Interests of 1950.

BROKEN ARROW – 1950It is the early 1870's in the Arizona Territory, there has been a bloody and vicious war going on for a number of years. The settlers and the Apache tribe under the command of Cochise, have being having a no holds barred fight with various atrocities being traded back and forth. Former soldier and Army scout, Tom Jeffords (Jimmy Stewart) is out riding the hills doing a little gold prospecting. He comes across a young Apache lad suffering from a shotgun wound. He tends to the boy's wounds and helps him heal up. Several days later, a party of Apache show up. It is all the lad can do to stop them from doing in Stewart. The lad tells the leader, Jay Silverheels, that Stewart had saved his life.Silverheels lets Stewart go with a warning to never return. Stewart then witnesses the same group, ambush, and nearly wipe out a small group of prospectors. Stewart returns to town with this tale. Stewart decides that this war needs to end. He has a "tame" Apache teach him how to speak Apache along with their customs etc. A month later he rides off into the mountains, where Cochise, (Jeff Chandler) has his stronghold. The two meet and talk out a minor deal to let Pony Express riders through Cochise's territory. It is the first move towards peace. This effort is not met with joy from everyone. Some of the townsfolk think the only good Indian is a dead Indian. Cochise also has a few malcontents who only want war. When a group of Army troops gets a rather sound beating for trespassing on Apache land, it looks like full-fledged war is going to start up again. However, the U.S. government has sent out General Howard to make a treaty. Howard (Basil Ruysdael) is known as a straight shooter who keeps his word. Ruysdeal convinces Stewart to take him to see Chandler to begin talks for peace. Stewart arranges the meeting. Chandler is not all that inclined to believe a Blue Coat. Stewart tells Chandler that "he" trusts the General. Rules and terms are pounded out and it looks like it will work. Needless to say a group of Apache led by Geronimo (Jay Silverheels) decide to continue the fight. While all this has been going on, Stewart has fallen for Apache maiden, Debra Paget. Stewart wants to marry the girl, who feels likewise towards Stewart. Chandler points out all problems that might arise from such a joining, but Stewart is determined to close the deal. The treaty is a success with the odd hic-up caused by the Apache renegades and some settlers out looking for gold on Apache land. The wedding between Paget and Stewart goes off and the two seem very happy. Several weeks later a lad from town is brought into the Apache camp. He was found on Apache land. The boy, Mickey Kuhn, is the son of the leader, Will Geer, of the Indian haters in town. Kuhn says that two of his young ponies had been stolen and he tracked them to Apache land. Chandler says that if this is true, he will see they are returned. Chandler, Stewart, Paget and Kuhn head up the trail to where the pony tracks lead into Apache land. It turns out the whole thing is a plot to lure Chandler out of camp. 7-8 men led by Geer are waiting to ambush Chandler. Stewart spots the play and tells Chandler to beat it. This he does, but not before dispatching a few of the gunmen. Stewart stands his ground and likewise accounts for several before going down in a hail of lead. Chandler returns with some braves who set off after the remaining ambushers. He finds the wounded Stewart crying over the body of Paget. She had caught a few bullets during the battle and was killed. The death of Paget deepens the bonds of friendship between Chandler and Stewart. Stewart now rides off into the sunset. This film was one of the first to treat the North American Native as something other than brutal savages. It tries to play fair and equal when showing the mistakes and hatred that came from both sides in the conflict. Also in the cast is, Arthur Hunnicutt, John Doucette and Iron Eyes Cody. Iron Eyes Cody was from Louisiana and of Italian decent. He moved to Hollywood, changed his name and pretended to be Native Indian. He appeared in several hundred films and TV shows playing a Native. It was not till the 1990's that it was discovered who he really was. This very fine western was the first of a series of westerns made by director, Delmer Daves. Daves was a writer, producer and director. He started out with war films, DESTINATION TOKYO, PRIDE OF THE MARINES, switched to film noir, TO THE VICTOR, THE RED HOUSE, DARK PASSAGE, before finding himself a home with westerns. His westerns include, BROKEN ARROW, DRUM BEAT, JUBAL, THE BADLANDERS, THE LAST WAGON, COWBOY, THE HANGING TREE and 3: 10 TO YUMA. The film features some excellent camera-work from, 3 time nominated and one time Oscar winning cinematographer, Ernest Planer.The top flight score was from 8 time nominated, and 1 time Oscar winner. Hugo Friedhofer.The film itself was nominated for 3 Oscars with nods for, Best Writing, Best Cinematography and Best Supporting Actor, Jeff Chandler. This one is well worth a watch. (Color)