Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786301528566
Format: Closed-captioned
ISBN: 6301528565
Label: 20th Century Fox
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: 1998-01-01
Running Time: 96
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Theatrical Release Date: 1954-09-25

Broken Lance is a noble entry in the trend of adult Westerns of the early 1950s, scoring on a couple of fronts: (1) as a multigenerational saga, with Shakespearian overtones, of a family bickering over a giant ranch, and (2) as a grown-up look at the dilemma of the Native American... its title perhaps inspired by the Indian-friendly Broken Arrow? Spencer Tracy stars as the blustery patriarch of a cattle spread, threatened by pollution from a nearby copper mine as well as the shiftiness of his older sons (Richard Widmark, Hugh O'Brian, and Earl Holliman). Tracy's bluff characterization--as ever, he seems to be yanking at the script like a cat unraveling a ball of yarn--carries the film effortlessly along. The central character is actually his youngest and wisest son, played by Robert Wagner, who's not especially convincing as the mixed-race issue of Tracy's second marriage, to an Indian woman (Oscar nominee Katy Jurado). Edward Dmytryk directs in a style that could be called "intelligent," which is another way of saying "not very exciting." The early CinemaScope probably accounts for some of the static set-ups, although there are exteriors that are breathtaking (watching this film in its full-screen version would be crazy). The cast is certainly tops; Widmark is overqualified to play a third lead, but who's complaining? Most memorable is the loving relationship between Tracy's cattleman and his Indian wife, although the subject of Native Americans is secondary here (check out The Devil's Doorway and Apache for more overt Fifties looks at the topic). Veteran screenwriter Philip Yordan won an Oscar for his "original story," a curious and long-defunct Academy Award category. --Robert Horton

Customer Rating:
Summary: EDWARD DMYTRYK, OPUS 34
Comment: ***1/2 1954. This film, a remake of Joseph L. Mankiewicz's House of Strangers (Fox Film Noir) was directed by Edward Dmytryk. Academy award earned by Philip Yordan (screenplay) and a nomination by Katy Jurado (Supporting role). Description of the relation between an authoritarian father and his four sons. BROKEN LANCE is a true Fox classic with a little violence and a lot of psychological considerations. Spencer Tracy, Richard Widmark and Katy Jurado clearly outshine the rest of the cast, especially Robert Wagner who's as expressive as a stone. Recommended.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: KING LEAR Goes West
Comment: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: From the Secret Files of Harry Pennypacker
Cheyenne Warrior: The Original Screenplay with Author Commentary
Shadow Watcher
Nobody Drowns in Mineral Lake

Spencer Tracy stars in BROKEN LANCE (1954), a powerful drama patterned after Shakespere's KING LEAR.

In truth, this western, which won a Writing Oscar for Philip Yordan, is a remake of a modern day film, HOUSE OF STRANGERS (1949) that featured Edward G. Robinson in the Tracy role.

Tracy, appearing only in flashback sequences, is a ruthless cattle baron with four sons. The three eldest, including Richard Widmark, he treats like hired hands, favoring his youngest boy (Robert Wagner), who agrees to serve a three-year jail term in place of his father.

While he is incarcerated, the other sons double-cross Tracy, which results in his death and causes Wagner to seek revenge upon his release.

Jean Peters, Katy Jurado and Hugh O'Brian co-star in this excellent western.

© Michael B. Druxman, author of ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Broken Lance
Comment: Spencer Tracey and Robert Wagner give outstanding performances in this Western with a difference.When they find their water supply has been polluted by the neighbouring mine owners battle begins. The ensuing trial brings a surprise outcome.
Great viewing - highly recommended.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Broken Lance
Comment: This Classic is done very well, The Actors were very good. The time period this movie is set in is very accurate. Those of us who grow up in the cattle country have been told by family that were there. About the real Problems of clean water,the Wire,the Rustling, & the Eastern Big Business Practices this movie protrays.
Jerry

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Customer Rating:
Summary: CINEMASCOPE AT ITS BEST !!!!
Comment: This is the way movies used to be photographed in Cinemascope ! Unfortunately all too often todays films seem to forget they are made for the wide screen and seem to be shot for the square tv screen with everything happening in the middle. This film has broad scope and wonderful scenery! Spencer tracey is great as usual and Robert Wagner looks like he does now except for a few wrinkles , some gray hair and a few more pounds! I enjoyed this movie and its grand spectacle greatly!!!

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