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The Big Country

"Big they fought! Big they loved! Big their story!"

1958-09-30 Drama 2hr 46m

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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The Big Country
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Storyline

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.

  • Released
    1958-09-30
  • Revenue
    $3,500,000
  • Budget
    n/a
  • Runtime
    2hr 46m
  • Genre
    Drama, Western, Romance
  • Status
    Released
  • Language
    English, Español
  • imdb-logo
    7.9
  • Production
    United Artists, Anthony Productions, Worldwide Productions

Crew

William Wyler
Director
Donald Hamilton
Novel
William Wyler
Producer
Keywords:
epic love triangle parent child relationship ranch honor cattle cowboy family feud pistol duel sea captain damsel in distress water conflict american west water rights gun fight neighbor feud domineering father retired army man cattlemen cattle stampede father daughter relationship land rights daughter of the boss beautiful landscapes preserved film fist fight

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Contingencies

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Broadcast News

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Cast

Gregory Peck

Gregory Peck
James McKay
Jean Simmons

Jean Simmons
Julie Maragon
Carroll Baker

Carroll Baker
Patricia Terrill
Charlton Heston

Charlton Heston
Steve Leech
Burl Ives

Burl Ives
Rufus Hannassey
Charles Bickford

Charles Bickford
Major Henry Terrill
Alfonso Bedoya

Alfonso Bedoya
Ramón Guiteras
Chuck Connors

Chuck Connors
Buck Hannassey
Chuck Hayward

Chuck Hayward
Rafe Hannassey
Buff Brady

Buff Brady
Dude Hannassey
Jim Burk

Jim Burk
Blackie / Cracker Hannassey
Dorothy Adams

Dorothy Adams
Hannassey Woman
Chuck Roberson

Chuck Roberson
Terrill Cowboy
Bob Morgan

Bob Morgan
Terrill Cowboy
John McKee

John McKee
Terrill Cowboy
Slim Talbot

Slim Talbot
Terrill Cowboy
Roddy McDowall

Roddy McDowall
Hannassey Watchman (uncredited)
Richard Alexander

Richard Alexander
Party Guest - Oceans (uncredited)
Harry Cheshire

Harry Cheshire
Party Guest (uncredited)
Ralph Sanford

Ralph Sanford
Party Guest (uncredited)
William Hoehne Jr.

William Hoehne Jr.
Lefty Hannassey cowhand (uncredited)
Donald Kerr

Donald Kerr
Liveryman (uncredited)
Chuck Hamilton

Chuck Hamilton
Party Guest (uncredited)

Videos and Photos

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Movie Reviews

Reviews for The Big Country
reviewer avatar

A Review by John Chard 8

Written by John Chard on 2017-02-07

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 ... read more

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 approach to life, McKay confounds the ranchers he is now mixing with. Particularly the Terrill ranch foreman Steve Leech (Charlton Heston) who takes an immediate dislike to him. Not only that but it seems that James has landed right in the middle of a family rivalry between the Terrill's and the Hannassey's: just as it's about to fully ignite into war. Directed by William Wyler (Ben-Hur/Mrs. Miniver), The Big Country is adapted from a short story called Ambush at Blanco Canyon that was written by Donald Hamilton. Beautifully photographed by Franz Planer on location at the Red Rock Canyon in Mojave, California and at the three-thousand acre Drais ranch in Stockton, the film is epic in many ways. Though the story, with its twin themes of violence begets violence and you don't have to act tough to be tough, is a thin one, it's given such an operatic make over by Wyler that it's not hard to be swept away by it all. Helped enormously by the afore mentioned Planer, music composer Jerome Moross, and an impressive and on form cast (Heston in superb tough guy mode and Burl Ives delivering a Oscar winning performance as head Hannassey patriarch Rufus), it's a big production in many ways. Overall, The Big Country sees a small story made big as it's told in an astutely classic style. With memorable acting, gorgeous scenery, big music and notable moments of action (a fist fight between Peck & Heston alone is epic and apparently took three days to get right) it's a must see for the Western enthusiast. 8/10

reviewer avatar

A Review by Geronimo1967 7

Written by Geronimo1967 on 2023-04-13

Gregory Peck ("McKay") is a well off, retired, sea captain who arrives to marry his fiancée "Pat Terrill" (Carroll Baker) and finds himself ... read more

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 arch rival "Rufus Hannassey" (Burl Ives) and his disparate sons. Add to the mix, quite a bit of rivalry from Charlton Heston ("Leech") who is the Major's right hand man, and a man who has designs on "Pat" and finally Jean Simmons who own the "Old Muddy" - the river that both are essentially fighting over and we've got a great recipe for a top class action adventure. It has the greatest of cinematography, a score that you instantly recognise and performances - especially, I felt, from Ives that really do resonate - they engender a sense of just how tough, dangerous, uncompromising and beautiful life for these pioneers must have been. Also how civilised it could be with men of honour and principle prepared to stand their ground - however misplaced that might have been. It's well written, with potent, occasionally sparse dialogue and William Wyler is on top form bringing the big country to the big screen; the bigger the better....

Read Full Review (The thoughts and opinions expressed here are solely those of the reviewer.)
A Review by 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...

reviewer avatar

A Review by John Chard 8

Written by John Chard on 2017-02-07

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...

read more
reviewer avatar

A Review by Geronimo1967 7

Written by Geronimo1967 on 2023-04-13

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...

read more