Synopsis
Retired wealthy sea captain Jim McKay arrives in the Old West, where he becomes embroiled in a feud between his future father-in-law, Major Terrill, and the rough and lawless Hannasseys over a valuable patch of land.
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Cast
- Gregory PeckJames McKay
- Jean SimmonsJulie Maragon
- Carroll BakerPatricia Terrill
- Charlton HestonSteve Leech
- Burl IvesRufus Hannassey
- Charles BickfordMajor Henry Terrill
- Alfonso BedoyaRamón Guiteras
- Chuck ConnorsBuck Hannassey
- Chuck HaywardRafe Hannassey
- Buff BradyDude Hannassey
Recommendations
- 88
Slant Magazine
Although The Best Years of Our Lives remains Wyler’s most essential assessment of the American psyche, The Big Country is stunning for how it meshes the intimate strife of a particularly white American stripe of self-resentment with the epic vista of Technirama Technicolor. - 80
Empire
Epic, heartbreaking cowboy story. - 80
TV Guide Magazine
A huge, sprawling western with just about everything: brilliant photography, superb music, an intelligent script, and excellent performances, including one from Heston that is one of the best of his career. - 80
The Observer (UK)
Strong allegorical undertones reflecting the Cold War, then at its height, and an unforgettable score by Jerome Moross. [31 Dec 2006, p.12] - 75
Entertainment Weekly
William Wyler’s sprawling Western about iron-willed ranchers squabbling over desirable land, The Big Country, is one of the prime wide-screen epics of the late ’50s, but today it’s remembered mostly for composer Jerome Moross’ magnificent Big Sky score. - 75
Orlando Sentinel
The Big Country is a sprawling western that is handsomely photographed by Franz Planer and meticulously directed by William Wyler. [02 Oct 1994, p.51] - 70
Variety
Although the story – based on Donald Hamilton’s novel, with Jessamyn West and Robert Wyler credited with the screen adaptation – is dwarfed by the scenic outpourings, The Big Country is nonetheless armed with a serviceable, adult western yarn. - 63
The Seattle Times
The characterizations now seem a tad thin, but Ives still impresses, and so does Charlton Heston as the most conflicted character, caught in the middle of this Cold War allegory about two feuding families and an outsider (Gregory Peck) with pacifist leanings. [29 Feb 1996, p.D3]
