The Big Country
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Movie Reviews of The Big Country
Movie Review: The Big Country
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie has somewhat of a strange storyline, a former ship captain moves west to marry the girl of his dreams and become the son in law of a ruthless cattle baron. But a funny thing happens on the way to the alter. Actually the way to the alter is a bit of a misnomer as other than a grand ball for the betrothed couple, there is surprisingly little reference to any pending wedding. Instead, we see exactly how mismatched this couple truly is. Jim McKean (Gregory Peck) is unfazed by anything around him. He plays his role of the ship captain away from the sea perfectly. The local bullies try to humiliate him, the bucking bronco tries to throw him, the future father-in-law tries to bully him, and his fiance tries to make her into a younger version of her father, but Jim navigates these waters as if still aboard his ship. Instead of allowing these external influences to change him, Jim charts his own course. He stays behind during a failed raid by his future father-in-law's thugs, he buys the coveted ranch with the best local water supply, he refuses to accept the phoniness of his girl as she attempts to win him back. He even refuses to kill the bully who made a fool of him in the beginning of the movie.
The Big Country had one Oscar winner, Burl Ives, but there should have been more. Gregory Peck co-produced the film as the director was onto bigger projects by the time the film was in post production. Peck's efforts paid off as this film holds a gripping storyline, has a believable plot, has the drama of a father and a wayward son, and includes a strong cast. It is a longer movie than most 1950s westerns, but this one has much more impact than the basic Gene Autry or Roy Rogers endeavor.
Movie Review: Possibly the best western I've ever seen
Summary: 5 Stars
I would recommend this movie to people who don't even like Westerns. Charlton Heston plays a bad guy. Gregory Peck's character has a personality that's constant throughout the movie, and one that you can't help but admire and wish you'd be more like. The women are great in the movie, and how their stories play out as the movie goes on is terrific. Chuck Connors is hilarious as the bad guy. And Burl Ives. He REALLY deserved the Oscar he won. When I watched this movie, I stayed up way later than I should've. But I couldn't turn it off, just because Burl Ives kept stealing scenes. As the country hick father who's battling for water rights and against the snob on the hill, he doesn't compromise his integrity and he's not too old to learn new things.The fight between Peck and Heston is fantastic. Actually, everything about this movie was fantastic. There are some movies that are simply impossible to dislike or be bored with. Some movies that come along that are just plain Good.
The Big Country is one of those movies. The plot is great, the characters are great, the acting is great, the scenery is great, the dialogue is great, and the action is great. It's a long movie, and I wish it were even longer.
I bought this movie based on how great the other reviews were. Never even viewed the movie prior to buying it. I'm kinda daring in that way once in a while (On the flip side, I bought the Englishman who went up a hill and came down a mountain, and thought it was a total Bore). I recommend this movie as one you could buy without even renting it first. If you like Peck, it's reason enough to own it.
Movie Review: The Big Country is exactly that
Summary: 5 Stars
I'd been told The Big Country was a great movie and remember it vaguely from seeing it as a child. I purchased a copy on the advice of a friend and the music and scenery are excellent. The characters are a mixture. Gregory Peck's character is strong and fearless as a ship's captain should be. The character of his intended wife leaves you wondering what he saw in her. The Major, his intended's father, is a self appointed Lord of his domain. He will brook no interferance in his plans or decisions which sets off a chain of events. GP's character is misunderstood by almost everyone; he ends up breaking a wild stallion with only a audience of himself and a ranch hand while being thought a coward, he navigates his way around their hundreds of miles of ranchland with a compass and is thought a fool and liar, he buys up the best land with a river "The Big Muddy" intending to share it with everyone and is thought of as playing one side against the other. In the end the characters of GP and Burl Ives stand out. Burl Ives plays an uncouth old rancher who has a nobility about him while living with his worthless son and competeing against the unscrupulous Major. (Spoiler alert). In the end, the only people with much nobility are Burl Ives, GP, Jean Simmons, and the Mexican ranch hand. Charlton Heston only reveals his nobility in the end and Burl Ives ends up beign part of his own "final solution". I can see how you might be irritated by the people in this movie but it's a great western with not so clear cut villians or heros but people you root for and those you are happy to see fall.Movie Review: Hatfield and McCoy Meet the Founding Father of Flower Children.
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't like westerns much but, as other reviewers have pointed out, this isn't a typical western. In order to avoid retelling the plot, which was explained beautifully by the spotlight reviewer, I only have to say that this was the first western I began to watch and couldn't tear myself away from until it was over. Great all-star cast, beautiful music score, and an addictive storyline all under the direction of William Wyler made this more than a pleasure to watch. I love a movie with a moral, and this one may be long, but it makes its point with no mistaking its intention.
Gregory Peck has always been my mother's favorite actor, and this is very well one of his best roles as well as that of Atticus Finch. Let's just say I'm becoming a fan for lots of good reasons. Burl Ives gives an outstanding performance as Rufus Hannessey--so much so that you figure out rather quickly who the real menace in the storyline is. His character's integrity makes him empathetic as opposed to the bullying, wealthy adversary. Both men, however are fools, and the end of the story can't help but turn out as it does--I won't give it away if you haven't seen it.
Big Country is a big western with big actors and big production. It's a grand, sweeping saga full of beautiful scenery and high emotions. Even if you don't ordinarily like westerns (like yours truly), I guarantee you will love this one, particularly for the moral it involves. I fell madly in love with it and would gladly watch it over and over, which is saying a lot. Check it out; you won't be sorry.
Movie Review: A Western that has stood the test of time !!
Summary: 5 Stars
When you think of the great books and movies;some immedistely come to mind.
The Civil With the Wind"
Untouchables"
Depression Grapes of Wrath"
Longest Day"
Sea and Air battles........ "Tora,Tora,Tora"
Prisoner on the River Kwai"
Christmas "The Bells of St Mary's"
and when we think Westerns,
"The Big Country"
This movie came out in 1958 ,was as good as any big western at the time,and remains as good as any produced since;at least in my opinion. That is not to say there aren't some just as good, but this remains right up there with the best of them.
When you see the all-star cast,Gregory Peck,Charlton Heston,Burl Ives,Chuck Connors,Jean Simmons,Carol Baker,Charles Bickford and Alfonso Bedoya; coupled with the direction of William Wyler,it's little wonder it is a magnificent movie.
This 1958 movie shows these legendary actors about 45 years ago at the height of their careers and at their best performances.
This movie is 2 hours 46 minutes
of excellent,photography,music,excitement,plot and acting that grabs your attention at the beginning and keeps you enthralled up to the end. It is so well done,that the viewer gets so involved that it feels you are right there with all that is going on.
Like many of the great movies,it bears watching over and over again.