Film Overview"Broken Lance" is a 1954 CinemaScope color Western film directed by Edward Dmytryk and produced by Sol C. Siegel. The movie stars legendary entertainer Spencer Tracy, together with Robert Wagner, Jean Peters, Richard Widmark, and Katy Jurado. The plot revolves around a stern and aging livestock rancher, Matt Devereaux (Spencer Tracy) and his complex relationship with his 4 kids.
PlotThe story of "Broken Lance" unfolds through the narrative of the youngest child, Joe (Robert Wagner), who is half Native American through his mother, "Senora" Devereaux (Katy Jurado). The narrative moves back and forth in between Joe's present-time in jail, having actually taken the rap for his dad's illegal activities, and flashbacks of his past where the seeds of the familial discord are sowed.
Matt Devereaux is a tough cattle baron who built a sprawling cattle ranch empire. His relationships with his children are strained due to his aggressive, tyrannical nature. He has a favorite boy in Joe, his only child born to his 2nd better half, a Native American. His older sons, Ben (Richard Widmark), Mike (Hugh O'Brian), and Denny (Earl Holliman) bear resentment for their half-brother and their father's visible partiality towards him. Their bitterness intensifies when they are made to work as cattle ranch hands while their dad prefers Joe and keeps him out of the tough labor.
Dispute and ClimaxThe stress amplifies when Matt Devereaux takes a drastic step to secure his water rights and winds up vandalizing a copper smelter that has been contaminating his water. As an outcome, he winds up in prison, leading his 3 older children to take control of the cattle ranch and turning it into a copper mine, much to their dad's dissatisfaction. Finally succumbing to the tension, their father dies.
Joe, faithful to his dad, takes the blame for the attack on the smelter in an effort to safeguard his daddy and serves a three-year prison sentence. After being released, Joe returns to the ranch to discover his bros' actions and is determined to set things right.
ResolutionIn an intense climax, a fight takes place during a court case when Joe attacks his bro Ben for their dad's death. This fight results in a high-speed horse chase through the town, ending in a deadly mishap where Ben gets impaled and dies. Recognizing the turmoil within the family, a senior judge affectionately enables Joe to leave the state rather than deal with legal consequences for his sibling's death.
In conclusion, "Broken Lance" is a reflection of family characteristics and power battles. The story is an effective representation of the altering times in the old West, representing moral, familial, and ethnic discords. Amazing efficiencies, specifically by Tracy and Wagner, remarkable sequences, and compelling storytelling have made it a traditional in the Western genre.
Awards and Recognition"Broken Lance" was extremely appreciated and won an Academy Award for Best Story. Katy Jurado was chosen for Best Supporting Actress for her notable performance. Furthermore, the film showcases the prowess of Spencer Tracy, making it a must-watch for each film lover.
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