The Broken Land is a 1962 CinemaScope DeLuxe Western film directed by John A. Bushelman, and starring Kent Taylor, Diana Darrin and Jack Nicholson.

Plot

The film is about a cowboy who rides into a small town that is ruled with an iron fist by a corrupt sheriff. He becomes involved with a pretty young town girl and some residents who are trying to oust the sheriff, resulting in a robbery, a murder and his being pursued by a vengeful posse.

Cast

Production

The film was filmed in Apache Junction, Arizona during the summer of 1961. It was financed by Robert L. Lippert's Associated Producers. It gave an early role to Jack Nicholson. Nicholson later appeared in and wrote a number of films for Lippert, including Thunder Island.

Reception

Reviewing the film in 2015 for the cinephile website Once Upon a Time in a Western, Mark Franklin wrote: Some folks will likely want to watch this because of Nicholson's involvement. It actually marked his sixth appearance on the big screen. He'd fair better in the twin 1966 Westerns The Shooting and Ride in the Whirlwind. As the female lead, this was an unusually large role for Diana Darrin, who normally wound up in supporting parts. And, yep, that’s Joel McCrea’s son, Jody, as the deputy who turns on Cogan because of his cruelty. Another problem with the film: Cogan doesn’t seem all that cruel.