The Big Country (B or 3/4 stars)
'The Big Country' (a sprawling saga directed by William Wyler & co-produced by Gregory Peck) concerns a long standing feud btwn. stubborn Major Henry Terrill (Charles Bickford) & imperious patriarch Rufus Hannassey (Burl Ives), rugged individualists who covet the same river spot for their cattle to use. The river is open to both camps since it is the property of Julie Maragon (Jean Simmons), a headstrong schoolteacher who has been willed the property by her grandfather. Major Henry Terrill is the big rancher of the area, with a gorgeous home, an enormous property, a large head of cattle, a beautiful daughter, Patricia (Carroll Baker), & a full crew of ranch hands. On the other end of the spectrum, Rufus Hannassey - who lives on a land referred to as the "Big Muddy" - has very little, with an unruly brood of uncouth sons (led by an ominous Chuck Connors), a bunch of dilapidated shacks, & a host of 'white trash' kin folk.
Into this hateful atmosphere enters James McKay (Gregory Peck), a mild-mannered New Englander who happens to be to engaged Patricia Terrill (Baker). Non-violent James upsets Patricia when he refuses to ride a wild horse & backs away from a fight with Steve Leech (Charlton Heston), Major Terrill's cocksure foreman who pines for Patricia, himself. With time, James proves himself to be anything but cowardly and takes-off; deciding to distance himself from the machismo overload on the Terrill ranch. After seeing the "Big Muddy" for himself, James makes his way to Julie's house; falls for her; she gets kidnapped; and, now square in the middle of the feud btwn. the 2 warring ranch houses ... he decides to take action. And our reluctant hero must finally engage in violence as a last resort.
Gregory Peck gives a very steady performance; mostly because he sticks out like a sore thumb out in the West - which is kind of the point. Burl Ives is great (although, he doesn't have to stretch his talent) as the rough, tough, but ultimately fair-minded Rufus Hannassey. A late scene with his son (the Chuck Connors character) is his best. Charles Bickford is very good, if underused, as the ruthless, unforgiving Major. Carroll Baker is a lovely actress. Her performance is quite good; even if I didn't care for the nature of her role. Chuck Connors is very convincing as Burl Ives' son; who attempts to rape the Jean Simmons character.
Speaking of Simmons, I've really grown to enjoy/appreciate this underrated actress. I've now seen her in several movies from the late 50s/early 60s and I find her to be very talented. Just the same year ('58), I found Simmons to be incredible in Home After Dark - a drama in which she plays a mentally unstable woman who must fight herself as well as her loathsome, greedy family. The decision she makes in the final scene of that film is fantastic! But back to this movie, she's wonderful here. She looks delicate, but is a real tough cookie. And I get a kick out of how much she resembles another great actress, Vivien Leigh.
Other strengths of the film include the expansive landscape cinematography -- simply glorious. Just watching this film makes you want to jump through the screen, hop on a horse, & ride out on the golden plains into the sunset. Jerome Moross' iconic musical score also aids the film throughout. The biggest issue I have with this movie is that it is a tad too long, too sprawling, & too languorous; punctuated with great moments throughout (usually fights/duels btwn. Heston & Peck, Connors & Peck), but those great moments don't happen often enough. When breaking down the fine story, I find that the plot is actually too small to warrant the 166 minute run time; so my engagement/investment went in & out, at times. Still, while I've enjoyed other Westerns more so, this one still has many merits.
Into this hateful atmosphere enters James McKay (Gregory Peck), a mild-mannered New Englander who happens to be to engaged Patricia Terrill (Baker). Non-violent James upsets Patricia when he refuses to ride a wild horse & backs away from a fight with Steve Leech (Charlton Heston), Major Terrill's cocksure foreman who pines for Patricia, himself. With time, James proves himself to be anything but cowardly and takes-off; deciding to distance himself from the machismo overload on the Terrill ranch. After seeing the "Big Muddy" for himself, James makes his way to Julie's house; falls for her; she gets kidnapped; and, now square in the middle of the feud btwn. the 2 warring ranch houses ... he decides to take action. And our reluctant hero must finally engage in violence as a last resort.
Gregory Peck gives a very steady performance; mostly because he sticks out like a sore thumb out in the West - which is kind of the point. Burl Ives is great (although, he doesn't have to stretch his talent) as the rough, tough, but ultimately fair-minded Rufus Hannassey. A late scene with his son (the Chuck Connors character) is his best. Charles Bickford is very good, if underused, as the ruthless, unforgiving Major. Carroll Baker is a lovely actress. Her performance is quite good; even if I didn't care for the nature of her role. Chuck Connors is very convincing as Burl Ives' son; who attempts to rape the Jean Simmons character.
Speaking of Simmons, I've really grown to enjoy/appreciate this underrated actress. I've now seen her in several movies from the late 50s/early 60s and I find her to be very talented. Just the same year ('58), I found Simmons to be incredible in Home After Dark - a drama in which she plays a mentally unstable woman who must fight herself as well as her loathsome, greedy family. The decision she makes in the final scene of that film is fantastic! But back to this movie, she's wonderful here. She looks delicate, but is a real tough cookie. And I get a kick out of how much she resembles another great actress, Vivien Leigh.
Other strengths of the film include the expansive landscape cinematography -- simply glorious. Just watching this film makes you want to jump through the screen, hop on a horse, & ride out on the golden plains into the sunset. Jerome Moross' iconic musical score also aids the film throughout. The biggest issue I have with this movie is that it is a tad too long, too sprawling, & too languorous; punctuated with great moments throughout (usually fights/duels btwn. Heston & Peck, Connors & Peck), but those great moments don't happen often enough. When breaking down the fine story, I find that the plot is actually too small to warrant the 166 minute run time; so my engagement/investment went in & out, at times. Still, while I've enjoyed other Westerns more so, this one still has many merits.