Big Jake
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Movie Reviews of Big Jake
Movie Review: One of Wayne's later films that holds up very well, especially with Richard Boone
Summary: 5 Stars
My youngest son and I are enjoying going through a range of Westerns together and he coined the term Waynesterns for the whole category of John Wayne Westerns. I enjoyed him coming up with that a great deal. This is a very good Waynestern and has so many of the classic elements we enjoy. Wayne is a loner "Big Jake" McCandles, oh he's married and has three sons and even an eight year old grandson he has never seen. His estranged wife, Martha (played by Maureen O'Hara), is very rich and runs a beautiful spread. Everyone on her staff is devoted to her and keeping their ranch running like a well oiled machine.
But when John Fain (wonderfully done by Richard Boone) and his gang ride into the ranch and shoot up the place, paradise is lost. Several of Martha's employees die or are terribly wounded trying to defend the place against the unprovoked and unexpected assault. One of those wounded is one of Martha's sons, the father of her grandson. It turns out that the goal of the assault is to kidnap the Little Jake (Ethan Wayne, one of John Wayne's real life sons). The kidnappers want a million dollars delivered to a place of their choosing. Everyone realizes that getting the boy back is a long shot even if the ransom is paid.
Word gets to Big Jake and he comes back to help deliver the money and get the boy back. The army and the newly motorized Rangers also offer their help, as do two of Jake's other sons, James (Patrick Wayne), and Michael (Christopher Mitchum). The story of the journey to the inevitable final confrontation is full of good stuff. Of course the older boys resent their father abandoning the family. They offer a theory or two, but we are never really told why Big Jake is estranged, but father and sons find ways to unite again even if they can't resolve their generational and technological differences with their father. It is 1909 after all! There is also some humor along the way, especially the way Big Jake decides to create a diversion by singling out the orneriest guy in a saloon. Another running joke in the film happens every time Big Jake identifies himself to a stranger, but I'll let you watch the film and enjoy the responses.
At one point on the trail Big Jake delivers this line to Fain (without either admitting their identities to each other), "And now you understand. Anything goes wrong, anything at all... your fault, my fault, nobody's fault... it won't matter - I'm gonna blow your head off. No matter what else happens, no matter who gets killed I'm gonna blow your head off." What could more classic Wayne than that!
The final confrontation is well handled and has some twists and bends that keep it from being just another Western shootout or even a Waynestern shootout. I think this is a very good movie and very much worth seeing.
Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI
Movie Review: Your fault, my fault, nobody's fault-this is one great movie!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great and rather curious John Wayne movie, made during the later phase of his long career. This Western is set in 1909 as the west was changing into modern times. The movie was made in the late 1960s as the family Western movie was also giving way more serious, violent and sexy themes.
In the movie, the long lost Jake McCandles (John Wayne)is summoned by his estranged wife to rescue thier gradnson after her cattle ranch was ransacked by a group of viscious bandits who have demanded ransome money.
Richard Boone makes for one of the most memorable villians of a John Wayne movie. As the leader of his gang of thugs he is ruthless, as he instructs the Duke that if anything goes wrong with the delivery of the money, antything at all-"your fault, my fault, nobody's fault-you're going to get the boy's head back in a basket".
What's most interesting, however, is the tension between Duke and Patrick Wayne who is the Duke's son and also plays the Duke's son in the movie. Knowing something of the Duke's unstable family relationships, I can't help but wonder if any real-life tension transfered to the screen.
The hero, Jake McCandles (Duke) is also a flawed character. As is his character in "True Grit", he is a failure as a father and husband. But one can't help but speculate at the end of the movie, that he might just get another chance at forming a quality relationship with his grandson who he rescues (interestingly played by Duke's youngest real-life son).
This exciting family Western touches quite a bit on the father-son relationship and redemption. There is some fine acting here. John Wayne and Patrick Wayne really give of themselves in this movie. Indeeed all the charcters from the perfectly villianous Richard Boone to Duke's silent Native American sidekick to his more easy-going, understanding but reckless second son; are carried over with much verve.
I enjoy watching "Big Jake" over and over again.
Movie Review: "Wayne rides high in the saddle once again..."
Summary: 5 Stars
John Wayne rides high in the saddle once again in "Big Jake", which proves to be one of his better films from the 1970's.
Wayne plays Jacob McCandles, an aging rancher who goes after the group of men who attacked his ranch, killed some of his workers, and kidnapped his grandson. However, "Big Jake" doesn't plan on letting these no-goods get away lightly. He teams up with his sons James and Michael (played by Patrick Wayne and Chris Mitchum, respectively) and an old Indian friend named Sam Sharpnose (Bruce Cabot) to distribute some rugged Western justice. It has been many years since Jake has even seen his family; he doesn't even know about his grandson until his estranged wife (Maureen O'Hara) sends for him. A man also out of his time, Jake is surprised with inventions such as the motor-car that has made horse-riding obsolete, and the automatic pistol Michael carries for protection. Although it is 1909, he still prefers to use a horse and six-shooter, just like the old days. Whether they use "advanced" technology or not, Jake and his pals have a lot of trouble on their hands as they try to catch up with the men who have his grandson while fighting off local robbers who know about the alleged 1,000,000 dollars Jake possesses for his grandson's ransom.
The action scenes are surprising violent (compared to some of Wayne's older films), but they're not extreme to the point of earning "Big Jake" an R-rating. The dialogue, especially between Jake and his sons, is enjoyable and simple. A cast of familiar Western actors only adds to the fun, as familiar faces appear throughout the film. Some of the actors include Harry Carey Jr., John Agar, Jim Davis, and plenty more.
"Big Jake" is a film that John Wayne fans and action fans alike won't want to miss. Unfortunately, there are no special features on the DVD edition.
Movie Review: they took his grandson,now big jake is going to take them all
Summary: 5 Stars
john wayne was in his later years here and he made movies that he wanted to make with people he liked working with. and the truth be told anytime wayne gets into the saddle and puts on his six shooter you know a fun time is to be had by all.
this story of the thought to be dead(a running gag throughout the movie)jake maccandles, is called back to his ranch by his estranged wife(maureen o'hara a life long friend and co-star,in every way wayne's equal and looking stunning as always) when one of his sons is shot and his grandson(wayne's real life son ethan) is kidnaped. well we know you don't do that to the duke and get away with it,so along with two other son pat wayne(john's older son) and chris mitchem(robert's son), and and indian friend(bruce cabot),sets out to get what's his back and deal out some home style payback. richard boone another long time friend is the very nasty and evil badman who doesn't know what he is in for because he's the man that has jake's grandson,and boy does he ever live(for a little anyway)to regreat it.
the whole thing is great fun with lots of hummor and a good deal of shootouts. wayne is in fine form and it looks like everyone involved is having the time of their lives. they truely don't make them any better than this . sit back, pop some popcorn, unplug the phone,turn down the lights,and ride with the duke as he takes what is his back in grand style
Movie Review: JACOB MCCANDLES GOES AFTER HIS KIDNAPPED GRANDSON!
Summary: 5 Stars
I love John Wayne movies, he is a cowboy legend, no one does it better than John Wayne! In this movie Jacob McCandles(John Wayne), is the owner of a vast ranching empire, along with his wife Martha(Maureen O'Hara), and their sons, eventhough Jacob and Martha still loved each other, Jacob left the ranch ten years ago, he preferred living on the range, and he was not about to change, even with the changing times of the West.
Jacob, and Martha always knew how to find each other, when the other one needed help! Martha asked for Jacob's help, when a band of outlaws, seriously wounded their oldest son Jeff McCandles, and killed alot of people and their families, that worked on the McCandles ranch, and kidnapped, Jacob and Martha's grandson (Ethan Wayne), and helded him for ransom. Jacob came back home to help his family, and along with his other two sons James(Patrick Wayne), and Michael(played by Robert Mitchums son)they went after the kidnappers.
At first James, resented his father Jacob for staying gone for ten years, but after James and Michael, and their father Jacob, got to know each another again, they earned each others respect. I just loved Patrick Wayne who played James, he is so handsome! WOW! This is a very good western movie, and I have always loved the awesome chemisty ,between John Wayne, and Maureen O'Hara!