Broken Arrow

Broken Arrow

Year: 1996

Runtime: 108 min

Language: English

Director: John Woo

ActionAdventureThriller

During a training exercise, a rogue Air Force pilot, Vic Deakins, jeopardizes national security by planning to sell nuclear weapons. Riley Hale, another pilot, must join forces with a resourceful park ranger to track down Deakins and prevent a catastrophic event. A thrilling pursuit unfolds as they race against time to stop the dangerous scheme and recover the stolen weapons.

Broken Arrow (1996) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Broken Arrow (1996) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the stark, sun‑baked canyons of the American West, a top‑secret Air Force training exercise turns the vast sky into a pressure cooker of precision and danger. The military’s cutting‑edge technology hums against the backdrop of rugged wilderness, creating a world where every maneuver could tip the balance between order and chaos. The film’s tone is a pulse‑quickening blend of high‑octane action and relentless suspense, inviting the audience to feel the weight of a mission that could reverberate far beyond the desert air.

Riley Hale is a disciplined pilot whose confidence is forged by years of demanding flight drills and a sharp wit that keeps him one step ahead of any challenge. Opposite him stands Vic Deakins, a charismatic yet unsettling colleague whose brilliance is matched only by his willingness to bend the rules. Their relationship crackles with a mix of camaraderie and unspoken rivalry, setting the stage for a conflict that threatens to upend the very core of their service. When the exercise spirals into something far more serious, Hale finds an unlikely ally in Terry Carmichael, a resourceful park ranger whose intimate knowledge of the terrain proves invaluable. Together they form a reluctant partnership that balances military rigor with wilderness ingenuity.

The story unfolds as a race against an invisible clock, where the stakes are as massive as the landscape itself. A looming national security crisis looms, and the pursuit stretches from jagged cliffs to remote valleys, each setting amplifying the tension. The film’s style marries the sleek, high‑tech world of the Air Force with the raw, unpredictable forces of nature, creating a relentless chase that tests loyalty, courage, and the will to prevent disaster before it can ignite.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 13:31

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High-Stakes Cat-and-Mouse Thrillers like Broken Arrow

A relentless pursuit between adversaries in a race against the clock.If you liked the tense chase and strategic battle of wits in Broken Arrow, this collection features movies with similar high-stakes cat-and-mouse dynamics. Find other action-packed thrillers where heroes race against time to stop a villain's dangerous scheme.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a clear protagonist-antagonist structure, often beginning with an act of betrayal or a theft that sets the chase in motion. The plot is driven by escalating confrontations and narrow escapes, building towards a final, decisive confrontation where the hero must use their wits and skills to prevail.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on suspenseful pursuit, high personal and global stakes, and a fast-paced, action-driven plot that maintains a consistently tense and urgent mood from start to finish.

Military Conspiracy and Betrayal Movies like Broken Arrow

A trusted insider turns rogue, threatening security from within.For viewers who enjoyed the theme of a rogue pilot and stolen nukes in Broken Arrow, this section gathers similar movies about military insiders gone bad. Discover other thrilling stories of betrayal, conspiracy, and heroes fighting to prevent a catastrophe from within their own ranks.

suspensefulconspiracybetrayalhigh-stakesmilitarytenseurgentheroic

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern typically involves a sudden, shocking betrayal by a high-ranking official or expert, which legitimizes the immense threat. The hero, often a colleague or former friend, must use their insider knowledge to track down the villain, frequently while being misjudged or hunted by their own organization, leading to a climactic showdown.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a common focus on the theme of betrayal from within a powerful institution, the threat of advanced technology falling into the wrong hands, and the visceral tension of a hero fighting against a system they once trusted.

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Broken Arrow Summary

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Broken Arrow Summary

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Broken Arrow Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Broken Arrow

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Broken Arrow

More About Broken Arrow

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