The Big Country [DVD]

I'm biased when it comes to Westerns anyway, as I dearly love the genre, but this is an outstanding film - not just Western. Cinematography, music, acting, philosophical discussion, pacing of film to match the setting: they are all set to 11. It's ageing incredibly well. Burl Ives is properly amazing as the gnarly, angry old man who's forgotten his own wisdom. Connors is exceptional as the coward (especially given how courageous and strong he actually was in real life) and that's just the top 2 character actors - I'm not even going to bother highlighting the 'Top Gun' acting/charsima oozing from the principle cast.It's a classic film regardless, but still has a lot to say about how a film can be done beyond well (like Man on Fire). It's long, but it's worth immersing yourself into the big country it presents to you.

I honestly thought I wouldn't enjoy this and was roped in to watch it during family time. But I do love Gregory Peck and as usual he didn't let me down. The casting is great full stop, the tale is heart-warming and gripping. The soundtrack is amazing, works so well and I'd listen to it on its own. Perfect film for a Sunday afternoon with the family.

Sweeping western set against an epic backdrop of the American mid west.Gregory Peck plays the ex-sea captain travelling 2000 miles to marry the woman he met 'back east' and falls straight into a range war.Charlton Heston plays a great supporting roll as the spurned suitor of the Peck's fiancee.Excellent script and a great cast all go to produce a thoughtful and somewhat different western.

This has long been one of my favourite films. I had a copy for many years which unfortunately went AWOL so I have just re-bought it. How I love it. For me it is one of the ultimate epics. The music starts just before the opening credits and sweeps through the whole film. Wonderful wide open country with the sun always shining. But nobody sweats and although dust clouds are raised everything is always spotlessly clean. A large cast of experienced actors. Young Gregory Peck extremely handsome, and young Charlton Heston sultry and menacing. Burl Ives gives a commanding performance. The first time we see him a back view head and shoulders shot against the colourful ball scene at his rival's house. It is a classic story of the hatred of two old men: young love, property and power in the wild west. It has been around for a long time so I am sure everyone who wants to see it has seen it but here are a few lines from me, for what they are worth. Oh yes and of course the lovers ride off together in the end, not into the sunset but to a viewpoint overlooking the panorama of the amazing rolling countryside, and presumably live happily ever after.

Retired sea Captain James McKay (Gregory Peck) arrives in the sprawling land of the West to marry fiancée Patricia Terrill (Carroll Baker). With an amiable, almost pacifistic approach to life, McKay confounds the ranchers he is now mixing with. Particularly the Terrill ranch foreman Steve Leech (Charlton Heston) who takes an immediate dislike to him. Not only that but it seems that James has landed right in the middle of a family rivalry between the Terrill's and the Hannassey's: just as it's about to fully ignite into war.Directed by William Wyler (Ben-Hur/Mrs. Miniver), The Big Country is adapted from a short story called Ambush at Blanco Canyon that was written by Donald Hamilton. Beautifully photographed by Franz Planer on location at the Red Rock Canyon in Mojave, California and at the three-thousand acre Drais ranch in Stockton, the film is epic in many ways. Tho the story, with its twin themes of violence begets violence and you don't have to act tough to be tough, is a thin one, it's given such an operatic make over by Wyler it's not hard to be swept away by it all. Helped enormously by the afore mentioned Planer, music composer Jerome Moross and an impressive and on form cast (Heston in superb tough guy mode and Burl Ives delivering a Oscar winning performance as head Hannassey patriarch Rufus).Overall, The Big Country sees a small story made big as it's told in an astutely classic style. With memorable acting, gorgeous scenery, big music and notable moments of action {a fist fight between Peck & Heston alone is epic and apparently took three days to get right} it's a must see for the Western enthusiast. 8/10

This is one of my all-time favourites, could watch this film over and over. A fabulous colour western from Gregory Peck and the Estate of William Wyler 1958 with some legendary names in the world of movies, Jean Simmons, Charlton Heston, Burl Ives, Chuck Conners, Charles Bickford and Carroll Baker. This magnificently entertaining epic (165 min) will take your breath away with suspense, excitement and explosive drama on a grand scale. PAL, Region 2.

The stagecoach rolls into town, out steps an immaculately dressed tricenarian gentleman, complete with bowler hat: the 'dude'. An ex ship's captain who has navigated the oceans of the world. He is here to marry the daughter of a wealthy ranch owner. On the way to the ranch, the dude gets a 'friendly' duffing up from the local trash: a name bestowed upon them by the girl's father, whom has been feuding with their patriarch for decades...............The film has a strong cast, with an atmospheric Western sound track. The film is almost three hours long and perhaps a little drawn out in places. Nevertheless, it is an enthralling story and deserves my 5 stars.

Classic film, that has over the years been shoved to one side. It's a big film, with a big cast and a big great score.Should have won more Oscars, How was the music score left out at Oscar time!!!. Did I say it's a forgotten film.Forget the 3* and lower reviews, as its BIG in every way, but for its extras, It seems films like this can only havea paltry bit film about "The Big Country" and a film trailer, that's all, such a shame.