To be blunt, Jeff Chandler often acted like a wooden Indian - all sculpted physique and nobility, with a deep voice and stilted nature, so the role of Cochise, in hindsight, was a Godsend for him. He's extremely effective here, because the action is driven by James Stewart, as the cowboy determined to bring peace between Indians and whites. Chandler gets to be regal and charismatic, which he can do, but not act too much, which is good because he struggles.
This Western has aged very well, in part because it doesn't hide from the viciousness of both sides - the Apaches aren't cuddly: they have internal intrigues, they torture their prisoners by having them eaten alive by ants; the whites scalp Indians and are treacherous, greedy and out for revenge. Everyone's human, in other words.
The romance between Stewart and Debra Paget is more traditional - she's a bit bland, but it's vital dramatically, and gives the climax tremendous kick. (John Milius must have been greatly influenced by this - many of his screenplays feature a native girl lover of the white hero who kicks the bucket. Of course Broken Arrow didn't invent this but they popularised it after World War Two.)
The story is strong and tackles an important issue - the necessary of holding the line when it comes to keeping peace. The screenplay excellent and director Delmer Daves handles things pretty well. Only occasionally does it hit a bung note, such as the studio setting for a few scenes which really jar. This wasn't a massive hit on release but it was a solid one and the movie was extremely influential in treatment of Indians - Westerns with liberal cowboys trying to keep the peace became all the rage in the 50s. Deservedly so because it's a really good film.
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