A ranch divided

Broken Lance (1954)

Based on the novel “I'll Never Go Home Any More” this Western is directed by Edward Dmytryk and stars Spencer Trancy, Robert Wagner and Richard Widmark. After being released from prison the youngest son of a rancher deals with his brothers treachery.

There is a great performance from Spencer Tracy as the grouchy old ranch owner in this film but other than that there is not a lot to raise this film above the average of a cluttered genre. While the film does contain some anti racism elements it does not really broach the subject in the depth of a film like The Searchers (1956). It is also interesting to note that Tracy's second wife who is supposed to be a native American but referred to as Senora as that is more acceptable to the conservative locals is actually played by a Mexican actress.

3/5