The Big Country
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Movie Reviews of The Big Country
Movie Review: "Now hear me now! You set foot in Blanco Canyon..."
Summary: 5 Stars
The Big Country is one of my favorite movies. As others have stated, music throughout is stunning. Soundtrack is up there with Guns of the Magnificent Seven. I own both the videocassette and DVD editions of Big Country. The videocassette version looks better on my old analog TV, but I prefer watching the wide screen DVD on my newer 46" lcd. Nothing is cropped so you really see "the big country" as intended. I've read that a certain large national chain will begin selling a 5.1 Blue-Ray edition in May. Can't wait.
Off topic, but I've had chance encounters with several stars of both small and big screen. Most were narcissistic jerks. Contrast this with the following story.
When I was a boy, my family received tickets to a congressional fund raising dinner. By the time we arrived the auditorium was full, so they placed us in an overflow room. Perhaps ten of us at a large table. A door to the auditorium was open, so we could hear the speakers. Gregory Peck was the big name guest speaker. After the speeches there was loud applause, and that was it, or so we thought. All of a sudden Gregory Peck entered our little room, said hello, and proceeded to recite his entire endorsement speech all over again. He took his time, and looked everyone individually in the eye. It seemed more like a talk than a speech. He didn't have to do this. He was tall, handsome, and every inch a movie star. Rest in peace Mr. Peck. You were a class act.
Movie Review: All the elements are right
Summary: 5 Stars
Arguably, the greatest western score, a wonderful cast, a unique interpretation of a story that is always good: the tale of a moral man challenged, misunderstood, and outnumbered. I believe this is hollywood at one of it's most mature and artistic moments.The Heston and Connors characters are multi-dimensional. Heston as foreman Steve Leech has known and lived by a rough western code of honor. Though it is clear that he inspires loyalty among men, he has given his own loyalty to an unscrupulous man. Of course Leech is jeolous of Jim McKay and resents being replaced by him in the Terrell houshold (the Terrell meanness has its effect on him as does the Hannassey meanness on Buck). Leech's showdown with Mckay, who might be considered to be almost Christ-like, is a crossroad for him. Buck's showdown with McKay is a crisis of a different type. Buck Hannassey, who the story places on a level with Steve Leech is really different. Buck is hopeless, beyond repair or salvation. I felt for him. Though he can be charming and immature, he can also be menacing and cowardly. In Rufus's exchanges with him, it was clear he has had no small part in shaping his son.
I felt empathy for everyone in this movie. The story leaves much unsaid. How did things get to this point? What happens next for Steve and Pat? Does Steve become the new owner of the Big Muddy's foreman?
Movie Review: A Great Western
Summary: 5 Stars
Although it has never gained the stature of classics like HIGH NOON or THE SEARCHERS, THE BIG COUNTRY (1958) must be counted as one of the "great" westerns.
William Wyler directed the sweeping drama, adapted from Donald Hamilton's novel, that is filled with rousing action, compelling, multi-layered characters, splendid cinematography and a magnificent music score by Jerome Moross.
Gregory Peck stars as a sea captain who comes West to marry Carroll Baker, daughter of cattle baron Charles Bickford. Almost immediately, he reluctantly finds himself caught up in a vicious range war between his future father-in-law and Burl Ives, who won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance.
Other key characters include Charlton Heston as Bickford's foreman and Baker's former lover who continually cast aspersions at Peck's manhood. This results in one of the most interestingly staged fistfights in film history.
Also present are Jean Simmons, cast as Baker's friend and the owner of a piece of land that both Bickford and Ives want to secure, and Chuck Connors, as Ives' abhorrent son, who is smitten with Ms. Simmons.
THE BIG COUNTRY is a film that I can't recommend too highly to both western buffs and anybody else who just likes a good movie.
© Michael B. Druxman
Movie Review: Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
Is it just me, or does anyone else come to realize how tragic the character Burl Ives plays becomes. I actually feel for him. I think before one watches this movie, you have to develop an empathy for the time and lives these people led BEFORE this moment in their lives. I views the movie again with my wife (Her first viewing) and realized that if this had been me, I would felt more of a liking for Hannasey than the Major. He was a least a man of rough honor. I think most are missing this in their reviews. Ives character had a more character than all but McKay, and in a way they were more alike than one would suspect. The scene when he is preparing the dueling pistols is very poignant, where he gruffly dismisses McKays advice on how to prep the dueling pistols, that he had handled "flintlock and cap and ball" before McKay was even born, and chastises his son because he had never faced danger with "only one shot" between him and death, instead of a "fast draw" and and six shooter. Think about this when viewing, and also when he crashes the engagement party. This man had cajones! I have known few men in life with this type of character, and I feel bad for people who never have been blessed by this type of association. What a tribute to the American personality!Movie Review: Big Country stays BIG
Summary: 5 Stars
Ok, so the sound has never been upgraded but the CD's reproduction of the original print is excellent. This is one of those films that just completely grabbed me the first time I watched it and THAT must have been forty years ago. I still remember most of the dialogue and, to my wife's complete surprise, can quote it thirty seconds in advance. The csst is marvelous and the cinematography is among the best of that era. It also includes what I believe to be the only truly 'realistic' fight scene (between Peck and Heston) I've ever seen in a western - one where the guys hit each other and actually fall down, then 'pause' before throwing their own; both end up throwing punches while on their knees because they can no longer stand....simply terrific. Jean Simmons has always been a shining star on the screen but Carol Baker is the one who surprised me. She's the epitome of a spoiled brat in this film but I know of no one who could have played it more convincingly. Burl Ives, who received a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his work here has never been better and his son, played by Chuck Connors (The Rifleman for those of you old enough to remember!) is really good in a complex role. Any fan of westerns who has yet to see this should treat themselves soon.