The Big Country
The Big Country

The Big Country

1958
Movie
167 min
English

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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Insights

IMDb7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes80%
Google Users90%
Director: William WylerGenres: Western, Drama, Adventure

Plot Summary

A retired, non-violent sailor from the East Coast inherits a large ranch in the West. He becomes embroiled in a bitter land dispute between two powerful families, the Terrills and the Hannassey's. Despite his peaceful nature, he is repeatedly drawn into violent confrontations as he fights for his honor and the woman he loves.

Critical Reception

The Big Country was critically acclaimed for its stunning cinematography, epic scope, and compelling performances, particularly from Gregory Peck and Charlton Heston. It is often praised as a mature and nuanced Western that explores themes of honor, revenge, and the destructive nature of pride.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its breathtaking widescreen cinematography and sweeping score.
  • Lauded for its mature handling of classic Western themes and character development.
  • Appreciated for its epic scale and thoughtful exploration of conflict resolution.

Google audience: Audiences widely appreciate the film's grandeur, strong performances, and its departure from typical shoot-'em-up Westerns, highlighting its dramatic depth and memorable score.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song ('The Big Country').

Fun Fact

The film's iconic score by Jerome Moross was initially rejected by the studio, but director William Wyler insisted on its inclusion, and it has since become one of the most recognizable themes in Western cinema.

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TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Gregory Peck ("McKay") is a well off, retired, sea captain who arrives to marry his fiancée "Pat Terrill" (Carroll Baker) and finds himself amidst the mother of all turf wars between her father "Major Terrill" (Charles Bickford) and his arc...
John Chard

John Chard

I'm not going to go on living in the middle of a civil war. Retired sea Captain James McKay (Gregory Peck) arrives in the sprawling land of the West to marry fiancée Patricia Terrill (Carroll Baker). With an amiable, almost pacifistic ap...