Despite having a typically terrific performance by Spencer Tracy (he could do this kind of grizzled character in his sleep), "Broken Lance" is a mixed bag of a movie. As long as Tracy is in it, I found myself pretty engaged. But when attention shifts to anyone else, I found my attention wandering away with it. Robert Wagner isn't an actor I like very much, so I always have inherent trouble rooting for him as a protagonist. Richard Widmark is an actor I like, but he's not enough to carry his parts of the film. Katy Jurado was inexplicably nominated for an Oscar for her performance as Tracy's wife. She's not in the movie much and doesn't do a whole lot when she is.
"Broken Lance" won the Oscar for Best Motion Picture Story, a category that would be dissolved three years later when it was merged into the category for Best Original Screenplay.
Grade: B.
"Broken Lance" won the Oscar for Best Motion Picture Story, a category that would be dissolved three years later when it was merged into the category for Best Original Screenplay.
Grade: B.