Broken Lance

Broken Lance

Year: 1954

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: Edward Dmytryk

WesternDramaAdventure

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 (1954) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Broken Lance (1954) 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 a rugged, sun‑scarred corner of the American frontier, the land is as unforgiving as the people who try to tame it. Vast cattle drives crisscross open plains while a copper smelter belches smoke into the wind, its runoff threatening the very water that sustains the herds. The clash between raw ranching power and the encroaching iron of industry creates a tense, atmospheric backdrop where every decision feels like a gamble with nature itself.

Matt Devereaux commands this world with the relentless drive of a self‑made magnate. He has built an empire of cattle and mining, ruling his sprawling domain with an iron hand forged by an Irish‑settler legacy. His four sons are expected to echo his exacting work ethic, yet his need for absolute control leaves little room for paternal warmth, fostering quiet resentment that simmers beneath the surface of daily chores and heated boardroom meetings.

Joe moves through this environment as an outsider within his own family, the biracial child of Señora Devereaux and the patriarch. Though the community regards him with a mixture of curiosity and condescension, his father’s status shields him from the worst of that prejudice. Loyal to a fault, Joe steps into the line of fire when an incident threatens the family’s reputation, accepting the consequences of a three‑year sentence. Upon his release, the echo of his father’s stroke and death hangs over the ranch, and Joe finds himself caught between the call for peace offered by his mother and a simmering desire to settle old scores. The film lingers on this charged tension, painting a portrait of honor, legacy, and the quiet storm that follows a family torn between duty and yearning.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 09:33

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Family Feud Dramas like Broken Lance

Stories dominated by a powerful father whose legacy tears his family apart.If you enjoyed the intense family dynamics of Broken Lance, explore more movies like it. This collection features powerful stories about patriarchal control, bitter sibling rivalries, and the heavy weight of legacy, perfect for fans of heavy, character-driven dramas set against epic backdrops.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives typically begin with a domineering patriarch firmly in control, whose actions sow discord among his heirs. The story unfolds as long-simmering resentments and competing ambitions boil over into open conflict after a catalyst, such as the father's death or a pivotal decision, forcing the children to confront their shared history and divided loyalties in a destructive feud.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the destructive power of a familial patriarch, the complex web of loyalty and resentment among siblings, and the high-stakes battle over an inheritance—be it land, power, or a name. They share a heavy emotional weight and tense, often bleak, tone.

Gritty Western Revenge Stories like Broken Lance

Western dramas where personal vengeance clashes with the harsh code of the land.For viewers who liked the revenge plot and frontier setting of Broken Lance, this list recommends similar Westerns. Discover movies about sacrifice, personal justice, and the bleak beauty of the American West, featuring complex characters and stories that end on a bittersweet, thoughtful note.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protagonist wronged by a close associate or family member, often leading to imprisonment or exile. Their return is driven by a need for reckoning, but the path to vengeance forces them to navigate a harsh moral landscape. The climax typically involves a fatal confrontation that resolves the central conflict but leaves the characters—and the audience—with a sense of profound loss and weary resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their Western setting, which acts as more than scenery—it embodies a brutal moral code. They share a focus on a personal quest for revenge that is emotionally heavy and tense, leading to a conclusion that is bittersweet, acknowledging the price of peace and the enduring scars of conflict.

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Broken Lance Summary

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Broken Lance Summary

Broken Lance Timeline

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Broken Lance Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Broken Lance

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Broken Lance

More About Broken Lance

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