The Big Country (1958)

A New Englander arrives in the Old West, where he becomes embroiled in a feud between two families over a valuable patch of land.

Director:

William Wyler

Writers:

James R. Webb (screenplay), Sy Bartlett (screenplay)

Stars:

Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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 Gutierrez
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

Storyline

Retired, wealthy sea Captain James McKay arrives in the vast expanse of the West to marry fiancée Pat Terrill. McKay is a man whose values and approach to life are a mystery to the ranchers and ranch foreman Steve Leech takes an immediate dislike to him. Pat is spoiled, selfish and controlled by her wealthy father, Major Henry Terrill. The Major is involved in a ruthless land war, over watering rights for cattle, with a rough hewn clan led by Rufus Hannassey. The land in question is owned by Julie Maragon and both Terrill and Hannassey want it.

---

Plot Keywords:

revisionist western | rancher | family feud | utah | based on book | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Romance | Western

---

Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

October 1958 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Big Country

Filming Locations:

Ione, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Anthony Productions, Worldwide Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

166 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director William Wyler absolutely hated Jerome Moross's score for "The Big Country", and insisted on hiring another composer to redo the job. But preview audiences were so enthusiastic about the music, especially the opening theme, that star and co-producer Gregory Peck persuaded Wyler to back down. Moross went on to earn an Oscar nomination and his score for "The Big Country" is now considered one of the classic western soundtracks.

---

Goofs

As Steve and the major ride into Blanco canyon, Steve's bandanna is tied over his right shoulder, he looks back to see riders coming and it is over his left shoulder.

---

Quotes

Rufus Hannassey: Why ain't you dead? You let 'em run my cows off and you come back standing up!
Buck Hannassey: What could we do, Pa? There was twenty of them... just a few of us!
Rufus Hannassey: Them cows is worth more than the whole lot of ya.

---

Connections

Featured in Interactive Film Quiz (2006)

User Reviews

Male and Female styles and values

Alec West said spoke well in his post about the movie. It is one of my favorite movies for similar reasons. I would only add that I have used the film to illustrate different male and female values and styles. In Jim and Leech, and Buck as well, we see quite different versions of maleness: their world-views and how they present themselves to others. The contrast between Terrill and Hannassay is another interesting study. Pat and Julie offer a couple wonderful contrasts of female ways of being in the world. As a therapist, I have seen present day versions of these characters' values and behaviors time and again. My favorite character is Jim, but the character of greatest interest to me is Steve Leech. I admire his loyalty and find his transformation through his interactions with McKay well drawn.