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From Amazon.co.uk
William Wyler directed this epic Western, about the clash of East and West, intellect and action. Gregory Peck stars as a sea captain who moves way out West to marry Carroll Baker and become part of the ranch owned by her father (Charles Bickford). But he discovers that daddy's top hand (Charlton Heston) carries a torch for Baker and doesn't particularly like Peck stepping into his place. Peck also finds himself caught in the midst of a power struggle between Bickford and his surly neighbour, Burl Ives (and his reprehensibly bullying son, Chuck Connors). The Big Country is a long, sprawling tale that works because its characters are played by movie stars who know how to command the big screen in a big story. --Marshall Fine
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The Big Country [DVD]
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
54 of 55 people found the following review helpful
By MentalLentil
Format:DVD
Despite what a previous reviewer said this is a full length version. The running time is 160 minutes which is slightly shorter than the NTSC version because of PAL conversion, nothing is cut from this film. Perhaps people could see the film before reviewing it.
The mistake was made because the original packaging said 95 minutes, this mistake is repeated on the Amazon listing (and most others).
51 of 52 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a sprawling, glorious saga that will be appreciated by people who don't even like the Western genre. With fabulous cinematography, an excellent script, and two of my favorite actors, it's a film I never tire of watching.
Gregory Peck is the sea captain with principles who goes west to meet his future bride, only to find feuds and fighting, and some lawless varmints who need his "non violent" ways of resolving territorial issues. He is terrific as James McKay, who is sort of an Atticus Finch in boots, and looks mighty fine as well.
Charlton Heston has the smaller part as Leech, a foreman who is seething with jealousy and obeys the orders of his unscrupulous boss (rancher Terrill, played with subtle menace by Charles Bickford) as he yearns for his daughter. Heston is brilliant as this rather complex character, and would a year later star in director William Wyler's next epic, "Ben Hur", which is perhaps my all-time most viewed and enjoyed film.
Gregory Peck is the sea captain with principles who goes west to meet his future bride, only to find feuds and fighting, and some lawless varmints who need his "non violent" ways of resolving territorial issues. He is terrific as James McKay, who is sort of an Atticus Finch in boots, and looks mighty fine as well.
Charlton Heston has the smaller part as Leech, a foreman who is seething with jealousy and obeys the orders of his unscrupulous boss (rancher Terrill, played with subtle menace by Charles Bickford) as he yearns for his daughter. Heston is brilliant as this rather complex character, and would a year later star in director William Wyler's next epic, "Ben Hur", which is perhaps my all-time most viewed and enjoyed film.
Both female leads are wonderful, and are portrayed with enormous strength; Jean Simmons, with her luminous eyes is the schoolteacher, and Carroll Baker is the tough daughter of rancher Bickford, and is too much like her daddy to make a suitable bride for Peck.
Among the many strong performances in the supporting parts are Burl Ives, and received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his gnarly old Rufus, Chuck Connors is his bad to the bone son, and Alfonso Bedoya, is a delight as Ramon, who along with a horse named "Old Thunder", provides some of the humor in the film.
The score by Jerome Moross is lovely (and received an Oscar nomination) and the cinematography by Franz Planner spectacular. The film was shot in the Yuba and San Joaquin Counties in California, as well as canyon country in Chinly, Arizona, and it is breathtakingly beautiful.
If you like a good screen fight like I do, this has a great one, "mano a mano" between Peck and Heston; it initially has no music, just the pounding of the fists and the men gasping for breath, and is very effective.
Romance, drama, and lots of action make this a film that appeals to many, and is suitable for the whole family.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is an unreservedly great film, in so many respects. Previous reviewers have made good points about it that need no repetition from me. What intrigues me is that The Big Country is a neglected piece of cinema (I think the Radio Times Film Guide makes this very point). It shows what an astonishingly good actor the late Gregory Peck was, a master of quiet understatement and dignity. I believe he was a co-producer of the movie, so it was something of a labour of love. Whether you view it as an allegory of the Cold War, i.e. the pointlessly destructive head-to-head belligerence of two giant opponents, or you see it as a a cracking good western, you can't be disappointed. I think what intrigues and impresses me above all is that the style of the film doesn't date at all. It looks as if it could have been made last year, not nearly fifty years ago, and in fact looks better than slightly later Western classics such as The Magnificent Seven. It just has a fresh feel about it and is one of very few films that I could watch over and over again (if I had the time..!|). There is subtlety and nuance in every frame and the pace doesn't flag. The plot is clever and not stereotyped. Oh yes, and Jerome Moross' fabulous music score is unforgettable. And the cinematography. Oh well, everything about it really. Fantastic film. Watch. Enjoy.
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous film
One of the best films ever made.
Gorgeous music, fabulous cast, great story.
If you love old movies this is a must buy.
Gorgeous music, fabulous cast, great story.
If you love old movies this is a must buy.
Published 2 months ago by Part Time Sally
4.0 out of 5 stars
What a Revelation
If you like the film, this is a must. Not perfect owing to some flicker on a small number of bright background scenes but a revelation of detail and overall picture quality... Read more
Published 2 months ago by DaveCheltenham
5.0 out of 5 stars
'QUALITY' OLD-SCHOOL WESTERN' ( 1958 )
with severel 'A'-list stars from yester-year included it makes for
a quality watch.
greenhorn 'james mcCay' travels west to marry 'patricia terrill'( who's
father... Read more
a quality watch.
greenhorn 'james mcCay' travels west to marry 'patricia terrill'( who's
father... Read more
Published 2 months ago by rbmusicman
5.0 out of 5 stars
A GREAT FILM
An old favorite of mine when I was a child.
Loved it then and still do, makes a change to see someone NOT need to show off .
Loved it then and still do, makes a change to see someone NOT need to show off .
Published 3 months ago by paul
5.0 out of 5 stars
As asked for. Arrived rapidly, well wrapped.
Thanks for the Disk. My old one had developed a problem,Cats? Now I can make up for all the time missed.
Published 4 months ago by Iain Sanderson
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Big Country- Blu ray US import
Firstly, this US import Blu ray plays in the UK, I mention this as it is not clear on the UK Amazon listing that this disc is region free or at least playable in Europe. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Motion picture man
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Big Country DVD
This is a good and interesting DVD if you like more traditional stuff. It arrived in perfect condition and was promptly delivered. I recommend this DVD to others.
Published 4 months ago by drrdf
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointed
This is my all- time favourite western. I was disappointed by the soundtrack quality. Poor in parts and with some annoying visual flashing at the bottom of the screen. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mark Bowen
3.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing soundtrack
Fabulous film. Definitely in my Best Westerns List. Unfortunately, the soundtrack on this version was pretty poor requiring a lot of adjustment to satifactorily hear dialogue. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Fisherphil
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb 50's Western
This is one of my favourite Westerns. Everyone is on top form.
William Wyler and Charlton Heston reunite with intriguing results, Jean Simmons fizzing with Caroll Baker,... Read more
William Wyler and Charlton Heston reunite with intriguing results, Jean Simmons fizzing with Caroll Baker,... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Man from poundstretcher
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