Such a frustrating disappointment

Lack of good storyline.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

This mediocre film barely whispers Fellini or Ford, but the creepiness of Stewart's character bedding a 15 yr. old character destroys any notion of quality. The casting of a nubile Debra Paget is unforgivable. Supposedly Stewart was told she was 17 but when the truth surfaced Jimmy allegedly besotted with guilt. Legend or not, the smooching between Paget and Stewart is downright scuzzy. A noble tale about Cochise is ravaged into obscure perversion and the viewer is screened from levels of qualitly that the script suggests. The seduction by a 41 yr. old hack cowboy onto a 15 yr old tissue child is criminal. Why this film proceeded past hollow reads is a vaunted mystery. Spare yourself the ignominy and avoid this abortion.

Westerns are not only entertaining but instructional as we learn about our early history and wild times. Include Jimmy Stewart, Jeff Chandler, a few other familiar faces, some whiskey dust, horses, Indians and gunplay and we get another version of history to enjoy. Oh yes, a love interest too. This was the real West where you rifle, your pony and yourself made a life come what may. It was up to you. No excuses and truly you reap what you sow. Enjoy

'Broken Arrow' was one of the first Westerns I ever watched. When I saw it, I didn't know who James Stewart was - and now he stands as one of my favourite actors. Every now and then I post a response to an IMDb thread asking readers which Westerns are their favourites, and 'Broken Arrow' sometimes makes an appearance in my list - a list which mostly consists of much bigger, more expensive and aspirational titles like 'The Searchers' and 'For a Few Dollars More'. What I like about Delmer Daves' comparatively modest Western is its spirit. 'Broken Arrow' appears to be a product of good intentions and intelligent reflection on the Western genre, especially concerning its generally unfavourable portrayal of Native Americans. 'Broken Arrow' wasn't the only Western to do this - 'Apache' did it, as did 'Fort Apache' towards the end. Delmer Daves' film delivers the message most effectively, though, and I attribute this in part to both the strong writing and the effective performances of James Stewart and Jeff Chandler. The Western has come a long way in its extensive history, and films like 'Broken Arrow' are of understated importance in shaping and improving it.

Excellent Delmer Daves western loosely based on the real-life story of Tom Jeffords, whose friendship with Cochise helped end the Indian wars in the Arizona territory. Jeffords is played by Jimmy Stewart in one of his many great westerns from the '50s. Jeff Chandler playing Cochise may ruffle some feathers today but he gives a sympathetic, noble performance as the Apache chief. It's this film's sympathetic portrayal of American Indians that it's perhaps best known for. In the decades since, that sort of thing would become the norm in westerns but this is one of the earliest mainstream films to portray Indians as something more than bloodthirsty savages. Also in the cast are beautiful Debra Paget, Will Geer, Jay Silverheels, and Arthur Hunnicut. A must-see for Stewart fans.