Broken Lance

Broken Lance is a captivating Western film directed by Edward Dmytryk, released in 1954. The movie features a star-studded cast, headlined by legendary film star Spencer Tracy, who is joined by a young Robert Wagner and talented actress Jean Peters. The script, written by Richard Murphy, is based on a story titled "Broken Lance" by Philip Yordan. The film notably offers a realistic, thoughtful, and subversive presentation of the traditional Western genre, making it a remarkable piece of 1950s cinema.

The film portrays the story of the Devereaux family, where Spencer Tracy plays the role of tough, hard-headed patriarch Matt Devereaux. He is a self-made cattle baron who has built a vast ranching empire in the Old American West through sheer will, determination, and toughness. He has three sons from a first marriage and one son, Joe (played by Robert Wagner), from a second marriage to a Native American woman.

Tracy's portrayal of Matt Devereaux as a multi-dimensional character with a balance of sternness and benevolence continually keeps the audience engaged throughout the story. The powerful father figure possesses traits of prejudice and stubbornness that shape the lives of his sons, who each have distinctively different attitudes towards their father and his strict code of life.

Robert Wagner as Joe Devereaux distinctly stands out with his laudable performance. As a half-Native American son, he demonstrates an unwavering loyalty to his father despite facing conflicts with his brothers and dealing with the social prejudices of the time. His character offers a stark contrast to his brothers, who are played by Richard Widmark, Hugh O'Brian, and Earl Holliman.

Jean Peters plays the role of the love interest, Barbara, providing the film with a touch of romantic drama, while also highlighting the cultural distinctions in the era's relationships and marriages. Matt Devereaux's second wife and Joe's mother, portrayed as a gentle and kind woman by actress Katy Jurado, greatly contributes to the movie's emotional depth. Her portrayal earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards.

The film's compelling narrative pivots around family dynamics, conflicting values, prejudice, respect, shifting power dynamics, and the struggle for the American West. This is not just a movie about cowboys herding cattle; it is a thoughtful and complex familial drama set in the picturesque territories of late 19th-century America, an era marked by the intersection of the Old West and the incoming tide of industry and commerce. The film brilliantly presents beautiful landscapes, juxtaposing them with conflicts both within the Devereaux family and their surrounding environment.

Additionally, the film provides an intriguing exploration of the dynamics of power, law, and justice in the American West. It tantalizingly exposes the tensions between the old and the new, individual will versus governmental control, and Native American rights versus Anglo-Saxon expansion. The movie's sensitive portrayal of the Native American character in particular provides a nuanced discussion rarely seen in 1950s cinema.

The brilliant cinematography by cinematographer Joe MacDonald successfully captures the striking beauty of the Western landscape, offering the audience a visual feast. This stunning photography combined with an evocative score by Leigh Harline enhances the film's dramatic magnitude, contributing to its visual and auditory impressions.

In sum, Broken Lance is a powerful family drama that combines the traditional Western genre with complex characters undergoing dynamic familial and social conflict. Its thoughtful examination of race, power and justice within a rapidly transforming American landscape adds depth to the classic Western schema. The film's stellar cast, outstanding cinemat-script, compelling narrative, striking cinematography and poignant score make it an unforgettable viewing experience.

Though released in 1954, the themes of Broken Lance's story resonate with audiences even today, adding to its status as a classic film. Its riveting plot and characters engage the viewer from the first scene until the credits roll, making Broken Lance a must-watch for any classic movie or Western genre enthusiast.