 |
There are some tremendous actors in this film, and some tremendous acting. Everything about this movie is BIG -- and it's intentional. We begin with a big, orchestrational music score and a panoramic view of a big countryside. The actors and their characters are often bigger than life too. Burl Ives, Charles Bickford, Chuck Connors, and Charlton Heston bow to no man as they support Gregory Peck's character. The female actors make no apologies either. Jean Simmons and Carroll Baker do an excellent job of making their characters come to life. Two hate-filled, bitter old men are determined to lead their families and the entire area into an all-out war. Simmons' character, and ultimately Peck's character, are destined to be caught in the middle. From the beginning to the end of this film, the viewer is drawn into the action. I highly recommend this film.Read full review
Gregory Peck is the main star of this multi-acted western about what does it take to be a man. Directed by 4 time Academy Award winning director William Wyler, this 1958 movie features Peck playing Jim McCay, who met his sweetheart in Baltimore and who has come west to marry her. Patsy Terrill (Carroll Baker) greets him wholeheartedly but later becomes disenchanted. But I am getting ahead of myself. In the big country of the west at this time, there are two families squabbling over water rights owned by a mere schoolteacher, Julie Maragon (Jean Simmons). The Terrills, headed by Major Henry Terrill (Charles Bickford) are more sophisticated, give lavish parties, and are the main focus of the movie. The Hannassies, on the other hand, headed by Rufus Hannassy (Burl Ives) are low-class, dirty, and wild. Jim gets involved in this rivalry when he arrives on the scene and meets Pat, his fiancee. Strike One against him happens when he is harrassed on the way to the Terrill ranch by the Hannassy sons, headed by Buck (Chuck Connors), and he refuses to fight. Strike Two happens against him when he refuses to ride Old Thunder, a contrary horse that won't allow riders. Strike Three happens against him when he refuses to fight the Terrill foreman, Steve Leech (Charlton Heston), who is also in love with Pat and is jealous of the newcomer. In spite of all of this, Jim loves the West. When he secretly becomes friends with Julie and makes an offer to buy her key land with the provision that water rights will be allowed to both families, the movie heats up. Burl Ives won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for 1958 for his portrayal of Rufus Hannassy. The movie had no other nominations. However, its wonderful music score became the music for "The Virginian" TV series, a sprawling 1-1/2 hour weekly western of the 1960s. If you like Westerns, you will enjoy this movie. The plot is there, and the great cast delivers. It will not let you down.Read full review
Great characters, great story line that kept you engaged till the very end. Even some good life lessons taught by those characters. Every one was perfectly cast. One of my favorite western movies!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Excellent scenery & an entertaining plot. Jean Simmons in her first Western rides her own horse & displays excellent horsemanship. Burl Ives won an Academy Award for Best Support Actor. I've enjoyed watching this movie/DVD as much the 4th time as I did the first time.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
The Big Country has to be considered one of the top westerns of all time. Certainly its not as good as say, Shane or High Noon, but its certainly well done and well acted. The movie basically revolves around the clashes between two different families over the water rights to save thier cattle. Both main leaders of the families hate each other and will do just about anything to kill each other from surviving and actually, the ending of the movie provides just that where there is a final standoff between the two leaders of the families. The basic line that the movie makers are trying to say is that hating will, in the long run, be your un-doing. If the families would just work together thier lives would be so much better, but because of the main leaders hatred for each other, they both go down in flames. The movie is well directed, well acted and has a great script and plot line. It features, in my opinion, probably the greatest theme music in movie history and it runs throughout the movie. Also the photography is spectacular! It really is a BIG COUNTRY. Certainly there are some problems to the film but it isnt too bad. There are parts of the film that are a little slow and the final big clash is a little overplayed but thats basically it. I would consider this film on the Top 10 best western films of all time.Read full review
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
