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The Big Country (1958)
Rate:
10
Viewed:
5/14, 5/19
5/14:
Is The Big Country the Citizen Kane of Western films?
Absolutely yes. It hits many points well in a deep, allegorical manner the same way as many have felt about
The Searchers. Moreover, it's unique for being antithetical of everything that Western films usually are.
Of the star-studded cast, Gregory Peck has done it for me because he hits the right notes in diffferent situations. He also makes it
fun to watch because his character is interesting and offers a righteous model for everybody to follow. If not for him, I
doubt The Big Country would be the film as it is.
Charlton Heston, in an ironical twist, plays Messala for Steve Leech, and he's terrific. So is Chuck Connors who must be made
of granite rock. Alfonso Bedoya, as Ramon, is a pleasant equalizer. Burl Ives and Charles Bickford are masterful,
but an Oscar win for Burl? I don't think so. Jean Simmons is a nice surprise if I see how her character has become
the focal point of the story.
I never liked Carroll Baker's character, Patricia Terrill, from the get-go because there was something about her that didn't
seem compatible with Peck's character. Over time, it would be more and more pronounced. Throughout, I was hoping he
would come to his senses and dump her; hence, I wasn't let down.
The Big Country has more bad than good people; in fact, only three are good as compared to scores of them which makes
it a tough viewing, but director William Wyler navigates me through it with subtle reassurances. Afterwards, I must
say I was impressed with the final product although the running length did test me at times.
Here is a nice trivia from IMDb: "Then U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower gave the movie four consecutive showings at the
White House and called it 'simply the best film ever made. My number one favorite film.'"
All in all, The Big Country is a magnificent Western film.
5/19:
The Big Country is so good that you won't find more than a few that pack many lessons in one film.
It's one of my favorite Westerns with fine performances from everybody including Gregory Peck, Charlton Heston, Charles
Bickford, Burl Ives, Alfonso Bedoya (who died of a heart attack a month after the film was completed as a result of years of
heavy drinking), and Chuck Connors. Along with Burl Ives who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, many of them should've
been nominated as well. They're all outstanding and have varying definitions of what it means to be a man.
The Big Country is one of the best examples of how a widescreen shot should be properly implemented, showcasing the
vast land of California and Arizona. It's what makes an epic. Against it is the beautiful cinematography that does favors
for all characters involved. A reviewer from Amazon commented:
"One of my favorite parts: in the credits/introduction scene the film opens with a wagon moving fast on a dusty road. Smoke is
pouring out of the wheel axle. Not many people know that the axles had to be regularly greased on a trip of any distance and a
practical unit of distance back then was 'wagon greasings.' That being the number of times you had to stop to do the greasing."
Another made a funny but wise comment: "The Big Country is only the greatest western ever made! As a dad of
daughters, I had my girls watch this film numerous times beginning at young ages. I told each of them: Be like Julie, and NOT
like Pat. I told each of them: Find and marry a man like Jim McKay NOT like Steve, and certainly NOT like Buck Hannassey."
All in all, perfectly illustrating the feuds between neighboring families, The Big Country proves everybody who partakes
of them will be a loser at the end.