Broken Lance (1954): Cast & Plot
Broken Lance is a 1954 drama western directed by Edward Dmytryk, starring Spencer Tracy as Matt Devereaux, Hugh O'Brian and Earl Holliman. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 36m (96 min)
- Director
- Edward Dmytryk
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- 20th Century Fox
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Broken Lance About?
The premise of Broken Lance without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In the violent West, cattle baron Matt Devereaux attacks a copper smelter polluting his water and then parcels out his land among his sons. Joe, who takes the blame for the raid, serves three years in prison. After Matt suffers a stroke—exacerbated by his wayward sons—and dies, Joe is released and plots revenge.
Broken Lance Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- half brother half brother relationship
- remake
- dysfunctional family
- father son conflict
- interracial relationship
- father son relationship
- cattle ranch
- death of father
- flashback
- racial slur
- jumping into water
- feud
+38 more Show fewer
- self sacrifice
- reference to chief joseph
- mixed race brother
- comanchero
- sibling rivalry
- mixed race indian
- dispute
- buy out offer
- court trial
- family ranch
- death of family patriarch
- indian lance
- man woman romance
- cattle rancher
- uncle niece relationship
- drinking polluted water
- racism
- irish man
- state governor
- kiss
- family betrayal
- stroke
- attempted murder
- fistfight
- romantic reunion
- falling into water
- horse and carriage
- horse
- 1880s
- cattle rustler
- graveside ceremony
- classical western
- dmytryk and tracy
- dmytryk and wagner
- tracy and wagner
- tracy and widmark
- arizona
- arizona territory
Broken Lance Cast & Characters
Spencer Tracy leads the cast as Matt Devereaux, with Hugh O'Brian as Mike Devereaux and Earl Holliman as Denny Devereaux. Directed by Edward Dmytryk; 68 actors are credited in all.
- Director Edward Dmytryk
-
Spencer Tracy as Matt Devereaux - Hugh O'Brian as Mike Devereaux
- Earl Holliman as Denny Devereaux
-
Robert Wagner as Joe Devereaux
Also Starring in Broken Lance
· 64 more- Katy Jurado Señora Devereaux
- Eduard Franz Two Moons
- Jean Peters Barbara
- George E. Stone Paymaster (uncredited)
- E.G. Marshall Horace (The Governor)
- King Donovan Clerk (uncredited)
- Franklyn Farnum Juror (uncredited)
- Frank Mills Miner (uncredited)
- Heinie Conklin Man in Courtroom Hall (uncredited)
- Forbes Murray Lawyer (uncredited)
- Al Hill Miner (uncredited)
- Ethan Laidlaw Mac Andrews Henchman (uncredited)
- Edmund Cobb Court Clerk (uncredited)
- Russell Simpson Judge (uncredited)
- Richard Alexander Man Outside Courtroom (uncredited)
- Richard Widmark Ben Devereaux
Show all 68 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Paul Bradley Juror (uncredited)
- Arthur Q. Bryan Bit Part (uncredited)
- Paul Kruger Bailiff (uncredited)
- Art Felix Trial Spectator (uncredited)
- Harry Carter Prison Guard (uncredited)
- Jack Kenny Miner (uncredited)
- Roy Jenson Bailiff (uncredited)
- Julian Rivero Manuel (uncredited)
- Joe Gilbert Juror (uncredited)
- Robert Burton Mac Andrews
- Roy Bucko Cowboy (uncredited)
- Robert Adler O'Reilly (uncredited)
- Artie Ortego Trial Spectator (uncredited)
- George Sowards Trial Spectator (uncredited)
- Norman Stevans Lawyer (uncredited)
- John Roy Miner (uncredited)
- Ben Corbett Trial Spectator (uncredited)
- Carl Benton Reid Clem Lawton
- Nacho Galindo Francisco the Cook (uncredited)
- Jack Low Minor Role (uncredited)
- Rudy Bowman Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Tex Driscoll Miner (uncredited)
- John Breen Townsman (uncredited)
- Jack Mather Prison Gateman (uncredited)
- Philip Ober Van Cleve
- George Huggins Miner (uncredited)
- Sam Savitsky Miner (uncredited)
- Robert Strong Miner (uncredited)
- Kansas Moehring Man in Courtroom Hall (uncredited)
- Lars Hensen Miner (uncredited)
- Bill Wallace Minor Role (uncredited)
- Marco López Indian (uncredited)
- Anthony Marsh Miner (uncredited)
- George Bell Cowboy (uncredited)
- James Stone Stable Owner (uncredited)
- Bob Whitney Trial Spectator (uncredited)
- Ford Raymond Miner (uncredited)
- Fritz Ford Miner (uncredited)
- Frosty Royce Cowboy (uncredited)
- George Robotham Miner (uncredited)
- Robert Ivers Cowboy Working Cattle (uncredited)
- Steve Raines Cowboy (uncredited)
- Clint Sharp Ranger (uncredited)
- Bob Burrows Cowboy (uncredited)
- John Epper Ranger (uncredited)
- Robert Grandin Capitol Clerk (uncredited)
- Chief Gernonimo Kuth Le Chief (uncredited)
- O.A. Smith Preacher (uncredited)
Broken Lance Plot Summary
What happens in Broken Lance from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Matt Devereaux is a powerhouse rancher who has built an enormous empire around cattle and mining, and he rules his domain with a fierce, unyielding work ethic that comes from a hard‑fought, Irish‑settler heritage. He raises his four sons to carry that same relentless drive, but his insistence on total control leaves a chilly, fatherly warmth in short supply. The eldest three—Ben, Mike, and Denny—grow up under his command, managing the day‑to‑day operations of the vast operation while he maintains final say on every move, down to the smallest decision. That iron grip sows quiet resentment in them, and the family rift grows with each passing year.
Full summary
The whole story of Broken Lance, scene by scene
Broken Lance Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Broken Lance.
How Well Do You Know Broken Lance?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the patriarch of the Devereaux family?
Seen Broken Lance?
Movies Like Broken Lance
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Broken Trail, Broken Arrow and What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?.
Broken Lance FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Broken Lance, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Broken Lance?
Broken Lance runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).
When was Broken Lance released?
Broken Lance was released on September 25, 1954.
Who directed Broken Lance?
Broken Lance was directed by Edward Dmytryk.
More films by Edward Dmytryk Who is in the cast of Broken Lance?
Broken Lance stars Spencer Tracy as Matt Devereaux, Hugh O'Brian as Mike Devereaux and Earl Holliman as Denny Devereaux, among 68 credited actors.
Does Broken Lance have a post-credit scene?
No. Broken Lance has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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