The Big Country1958
The Big Country (1958)
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Movie Info
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Cast
as James McKay
as Julie Maragon
as Patricia Terrill
as Steve Leech
as Rufus Hannassey
as Maj. Henry Terrill
as Ramon
as Buck Hannassey
as Rafe
as Dude
as Cracker
as Hannassey Woman
as Terrill Cowboy
as Terrill Cowboy
as Terrill Cowboy
as Terrill Cowboy
Critic Reviews for The Big Country
All Critics (11) | Fresh (11) | Rotten (0) | DVD (1)
An excellent Western. Jerome Morris' score is one of the all-time greats, standing in the company of Elmer Bernstein's The Magnificent Seven theme and Ennio Morricone's Spaghetti Western contributions as the genre's best.
Wyler showcases our own big country by demonstrating just how very small we are in comparison, the violent struggles of a few mere blips on the face of the sprawling landscape.
Burl Ives won the Supporting Actor Oscar for playing a patriarch in William Wyler's sprawling, overlong Western, though the award also might have been given to him for similar part in Cat on Hot Tin Roof.
Wide open-spaced mega western, full of stars, color, and a great Jerome Moross score.
As Charlton Heston explained ..., 'it's connected with the American ethos - America was made for Westerns.'
Audience Reviews for The Big Country
William Wyler's tricky Western about what happens when a big city (and perhaps college educated?) sophisticate (Gregory Peck) ventures into a volatile rural small town milieu, tricky because the "small town" is, in fact, the titular Big Country. "Ever seen country this big," one rube boasts. "Yes, I have," he replies before abruptly leaving the confused questioner. Interestingly, this is a two hour reply to the popular, pithy "book smart" insult. The reply is cleverly woven into several situations: a water rights dispute, a love affair power struggle, and a couple of father/son difficulties. The actors, the music, the cinematography are all good even if the story, and its point, are overlong. Worthy.
Super Reviewer
A classic pacifist Western that feels always fluid (even with a long running time of almost three hours) and is most certainly an intelligent allegory of Cold War, boasting a memorable score and a great cast, especially Burl Ives in an Oscar-winning performance.
Super Reviewer
Excellent Movie, Charlton Heston arrives in a western town looking like a typical gentlemen from the east, he has to prove himself not only to local cow hands but also to the father of his future bride. Story has many turns and twist. Interesting to see Burl Ives and Chuck Connors in this movie. A Classic that should be of value in any collection. 5 Stars
Super Reviewer
The Big Country Quotes
| Pat Terrill: | Hello, throw something off a chair and sit down. Would you like to try a cigarette? |
| Julie Maragon: | Where'd you get those? |
| Pat Terrill: | In the east. Don't look so shocked. I saw a woman smoking one; very elegant. [inhales - exhales] Oh well, I don't care about anything anyway. |
| Pat Terrill: | In the east. Don't look so shocked. I saw a woman smoking one. Very elegant. Oh well, I don't care about anything anyway. |
| James McKay: | Now tell me Leech, what did we prove? |
| Steve Leech: | All I can say, McKay, is you take a hell of a long time to say goodbye. |
| Maj. Henry Terrill: | What makes you think he wont [get lost in the Big Country] |
| Maj. Henry Terrill: | What makes you think he wont? |