Posts from ethanedwards in thread „The Big Country (1958)“

  • The Big Country (1958)

    The Big Country is a 1958 American epic Western film directed by William Wyler
    and starring Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker, Charlton Heston and Burl Ives.
    The supporting cast features Charles Bickford and Chuck Connors.


    The picture was based on the serialized magazine novel Ambush
    at Blanco Canyon by Donald Hamilton. and was co-produced by Wyler and Peck
    The opening title sequence was created by Saul Bass.
    The film is one of very few pictures in which Heston plays a major supporting role instead of the lead.


    Ives won the Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor for his performance
    as well as the Golden Globe Award.
    The film was also nominated for an Academy Award for the musical score by Jerome Moross



    The Big Country, I enjoyed, even if it was a little drawn out!
    Coming in at nearly three hours, was tiresome at times!


    Gregory Peck, who also produced the film, was magnificent,
    as was Charlton Heston, who originally thought his part was below him,
    but gave a strong, solid, performance.
    The film was somewhat stolen by the tough burly neighbour,Burl Ives,
    who played the arch enemy with such skill,
    he won an the Academy Award for Best Supporting actor.
    Along with Jean Simmons, Carrol Baker and Chuck Connors,
    William Wyler's movie, was well received,
    and what about that theme music??
    It was brilliant!

  • The Big Country (1958)

    THE BIG COUNTRY


    DIRECTED AND PRODUCED BY WILLAM WYLER
    ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS GREGORY PECK/ ROBERT WYLER



    Information From IMDb


    Plot Summary
    Retired, wealthy sea Captain Jame McKay (Gregory Peck) arrives in the vast expanse of the West to marry fiancée Pat Terrill (Carroll Baker). McKay is a man whose values & approach to life are a mystery to the ranchers & ranch foreman Steve Leech (Charlton Heston) takes an immediate dislike to him. Pat is spoiled, selfish & controlled by her wealthy father, Major Henry Terrill (Charles Bickford). The Major is involved in a ruthless civil war, over watering rights for cattle, with a rough hewn clan led by Rufus Hannassey (Burl Ives). The land in question is owned by Julie Maragon (Jean Simmons) & both Terrill & Hannassey want it.
    Written by E.W. DesMarais


    Full Cast
    Gregory Peck ... James McKay
    Jean Simmons ... Julie Maragon
    Carroll Baker ... Patricia Terrill
    Charlton Heston ... Steve Leech
    Burl Ives ... Rufus Hannassey
    Charles Bickford ... Maj. Henry Terrill
    Alfonso Bedoya ... Ramón Guiteras
    Chuck Connors ... Buck Hannassey
    Chuck Hayward ... Rafe Hannassey
    Buff Brady ... Dude Hannassey
    Jim Burk ... Blackie / Cracker Hannassey
    Dorothy Adams ... Hannassey woman
    Chuck Roberson ... Terrill cowboy
    Bob Morgan ... Terrill cowboy
    John McKee ... Terrill cowboy
    Slim Talbot ... Terrill cowboy (as Jay Slim Talbot)
    Richard Alexander ... Party guest (Oceans) (uncredited)
    Harry Cheshire ... Party guest (uncredited)
    Jay W. Jensen ... Cowboy (uncredited)
    Donald Kerr ... Liveryman (uncredited)
    Carey Paul Peck ... Boy (uncredited)
    Jonathan Peck ... Boy (uncredited)
    Stephen Peck ... Boy (uncredited)
    Ralph Sanford ... Party guest (uncredited)


    Writing credits
    Donald Hamilton (novel)
    Jessamyn West (adaptation) &
    Robert Wyler (adaptation)
    James R. Webb (screenplay) &
    Sy Bartlett (screenplay) and
    Robert Wilder (screenplay)


    Original Music
    erome Moross


    Trivia
    * The character played by Charles Bickford was supposed to represent then US President Dwight D. Eisenhower.


    * According to Gregory Peck, director William Wyler intended the film to be a left-wing allegory for the Cold War.


    * Aged 47 at the time of filming, Burl Ives was only 11 years older than Chuck Connors, who played his son.


    * The film is credited with starting the trend for pacifist westerns.


    * Charlton Heston initially turned down the role of ranch foreman Steve Leech because he didn't think the part was big enough. His agent convinced him that it would be worth it just for the opportunity to work with Gregory Peck and William Wyler.

    Goofs
    * Crew or equipment visible: When McKay first arrives in town and meets Julie at the gate, some object (boom mike?) is visible above their heads (center screen).


    * Continuity: Towards the end of the scene where McKay is learning to ride the bucking horse he is thrown from the horse, lands, removes the straw from his hair and then removes the straw from his hair again when he is helped up.

    Filming locations
    California, USA (exteriors)
    Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Chinle, Arizona, USA
    Farmington, California, USA
    Marysville, California, USA
    Mojave Desert, California, USA
    Red Rock Canyon State Park - Highway 14, Cantil, California, USA
    Stockton, California, USA