When BROKEN LANCE came out in 1954 westerns were still
making decent box office dollars. But studios were aware that the tried and
true plotlines had to advance from the simple good guy meets bad guy for them
to continue. That became apparent with several films of the decade, this one
among them. The genre would hang on through the sixties when spaghetti westerns
poured new blood into it but would fade out shortly after only to raise up
periodically with great films but never a frequent guest at the cinema table
any longer.
The story takes place in late 1800s Arizona, revolving
around the Deveraux family. Young Joe (Robert Wagner) has just been released
from prison, serving a three year sentence for something he didn’t do. Returning
home he finds the family mansion in a shambles. In flashback we find out how
Joe ended up here.
Matt Deveraux (Spencer Tracy) was a hard as nails rancher
having battled everyone from claim jumpers to Indians to create a homestead he
could be proud of. Along the way he lost his first wife, the father of three of
his sons. Taking on a second wife, a Comanche, he had another son as well, Joe.
Matt never believed in making things easy and required his sons to work as hard
if not harder than anyone else on the ranch. This resulted in resentment from
all three (Richard Widmark, Hugh O’Brien and Earl Holliman).
When a mining company pours their waste into the river
killing his cattle, Matt and sons head to their camp to tell them to stop
pouring the chemical into the river. When they refuse he and his sons tear down
their drainage chute and sparking a possible gun battle, accusations are made
against Matt by the mining company. Corrupt politicians put the word in to take
down Matt and to prevent his father from facing time in jail Joe pleads guilty
to the charges.
Years later Joe has now returned to claim his inheritance.
Things have changed and the odds of them ending peacefully are slim. Only time
will tell what will happen.
Not only does this film offer us a real western it throws in
many concerns of the time into the mix. The main one of these is the racist
attitudes on display here when it comes to both Joe’s mother and Joe who the
rest consider a half-breed. Not only do his brothers hold him in distain but
the rest of the town does as well. The film also brings into question the
practices of the mining company, decades before environmentalist would focus
the countries attention to the problems. What makes the film exceptional is
that they tackle both problems using a style that provokes thought rather than
protest. In so doing it makes the viewer consider the problems rather than
scream in outrage.
As with nearly every single film they release, Twilight Time
offers the best transfer to be found of the movies they release. The beautiful
vistas of the west are on display here making those who aren’t don’t see them
on a daily basis jealous of having the chance to do so. Extras are fairly slim
but still good considering how old the movie is. Included are an isolated score
track, audio commentary with actor Earl Holliman and film historian Nick
Redman, a Fox Movietone Newsreel and original theatrical trailers.
If you love classic westerns then this is one that should
become an addition to your shelf.
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