1954 | Not Rated | 1h 36m | Adventure, Drama, Western
The 1950s saw a massive proliferation of American Westerns and, while many were excellent, an equal number could be considered mediocre or worse. “Broken Lance” (1954) is definitely from the former camp and takes the genre into the realm of familial drama. It’s based on an earlier film produced in 1949 titled the “House of Strangers.”
Helmed by Edward Dmytryk (who also directed the outstanding film, “The Caine Mutiny” in 1954), this Western features incredible cinematography and a strong cast, including Spencer Tracy, Robert Wagner, Jean Peters, and Richard Widmark.
The film opens in front of a prison, where young Joe Devereaux (Wagner) is being released. A gaggle of lawmen escort Joe (basically against his will) to the local town, where he’s been summoned to a private meeting with the governor, Horace (E.G. Marshall). However, when Joe arrives, the governor reveals that he’s arranged for the lad to be offered a proposal from his three half-brothers, Ben (Widmark), Mike (Hugh O’Brian), and Denny (Earl Holliman)….