Week 1: Broken Arrow 

Film #1: Broken Arrow (1950), dir. Delmar Daves

A meld of fact and fiction, Broken Arrow portrays the efforts of a real-life historical figure, former Union captain Tom Jeffords, to restore the peace between white frontiersmen and Chiricahua Apaches, led by real-life historical figure Cochise, after a long decade of ferocious and incessant war. Tired of the endless hostilities, Jeffords strongly believes that there is still hope for peace between both sides through honest and meaningful dialogue--and with this in mind--he manages to mediate a peaceful resolution of the conflict, in 1872. But, sadly, this is a fragile treaty, and now, it's up to the Indigenous chief to put an end to the furious vengeance--wherever it comes from. Film historians have noted the film for being one of the first major Westerns since World War II to portray Native Americans sympathetically.

• The two principal Apache characters are played by non-Indigenous actors, with Brooklyn-born Jeff Chandler portraying Apache leader Cochise, and White American Debra Paget playing Jimmy Stewart's Apache love interest. Notably, Native Canadian Mohawk actor Jay Silverheels played Geronimo, a small part in the film but recognized at the time as there were few Indigenous actors in Hollywood. The majority of extras were played by Apache peoples. As you watch the film, think about common stereotypes of Indigenous peoples ("primitive" and "savage") we see in fiction--does this film break those stereotypes in some aspects, and conform to them in others? How so?

CLASS SLIDES:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/11407Phv_dr4uxrjfYTRasMo3jFJDBq0TSUfF9hSX6-k/edit?usp=sharing 

CLASS RECORDING:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RLtpuEgTlD87zUNb6ecBnHbDtWxa62hv?usp=sharing