The Big Valley (1965–1969) User Reviews

Barbara Stanwyck's Own Western

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 27 August 2006]

I just read a biography of Barbara Stanwyck and one thing that was made abundantly clear, the woman really liked westerns. She loved doing them from the earliest time in her career right up to her stint with The Big Valley. In fact one of the great disappointments in her life was not doing a film with John Wayne. Who knows why that didn't happen because the two of them were in sync politically.

But she did a bunch of them with co-stars like Joel McCrea, Ronald Reagan, Walter Huston, Barry Sullivan, Ray Milland, etc. So when it came time to choose a television project, Barbara went west.

The Big Valley cast her as Victoria Barkley, matriarch of the Barkley ranch with three sons and a daughter to hold the fort against all comers. The pilot of the show introduced her husband's illegitimate son into the household played by young Lee Majors. Her children were Richard Long, Peter Breck, Linda Evans, and Charles Briles.

Briles got dropped after eight episodes as the youngest, Eugene. They just sent him off to college in the east and he wasn't heard from again. Reading the IMDb notes on him, I find he got himself drafted. All I can say is BUMMER.

Richard Long as Jarrod was also college educated, an attorney, which was a good plot device allowing the show to get off the ranch and into town. Peter Breck was Nick, who was a tough son of a gun. I met Peter Breck a few years before The Big Valley. His family lived in Rochester, New York across from my grandparents house and he was visiting while starring in another shortlived series Black Saddle. My siblings and cousins got to meet him then. A very gracious and nice man.

Of course Linda Evans and Lee Majors both had really great careers after the show. Linda as Audra was a sweet and innocent child, not anything like Crystal Carrington. And Lee Majors got to be The Fall Guy and The Six Million Dollar Man after he was Heath Barkley. I would love to have that man's residuals.

Richard Long did Nanny and the Professor and tragically died right after the run of that show. He was always a player of great class and I enjoyed seeing him in anything he did.

The Barkleys ran into all manner of people and were constantly helping them out of their various predicaments. They were pretty rich of course, as rich as Bonanza's Cartwrights. But I really think they outdid themselves even more than Ben and his sons. Every episode seemed to end with some financial assistance to help somebody get on their feet. I'm surprised Jarrod didn't run for office with all those potential voters available.

With Lee Majors, Linda Evans, and Peter Breck still with us and even Charles Briles, I'm not sure why a Big Valley reunion hasn't been attempted. I'd like to see the Barkleys ride the range into the 20th century.

Big Valley - Season 1

[robfollower · 9/10 · 22 April 2020]

The series, which ran on ABC for four seasons from 1965 until 1969, followed the adventures of the Barkleys, the millionaire family that held (with a wise and caring hand) great power over the San Joaquin Valley and neighboring Stockton, California, during the 1870s. Miss Barbara Stanwyck stars as matriarch Victoria Barkley, sophisticated, warm, but no stranger to adventure in her youth; the wise eldest brother Jarrod (Richard Long) has returned home to practice law; hotheaded Nick (Peter Breck) runs the family businesses with a hands-on approach; young Audra (Linda Evans) is the naive little sister. Into their lives comes Heath (Lee Majors), the illegitimate son of the late Tom Barkley.

"The Big Valley" gained plenty of momentum from a series of first rate guest stars, among them: Lynn Loring( Wildcat) Maybelle E15. Martin Landau, James Whitmore, William Shatner (!), Bruce Dern (appearing in two episodes as two separate characters), Charles Bronson, Ron Howard, Anthony Zerbe, Claude Akins, Yvonne Craig, George Kennedy, and Jill St. John, just to name a handful. All of those listed, and many more, pack so much into their performances, leaving us captivated episode after episode.

"The Big Valley" one of those rare television series that remained consistently entertaining, intelligent, and impressive throughout. The show's first season is hit after hit after hit, episodes that even rival Hollywood's theatrical output of the time. Every single episode is a standout. The Barkleys and their San Joaquin Valley were larger than life, and "The Big Valley" does them plenty justice.

The Barkleys of the West and Not Broadway ****

[edwagreen · 9/10 · 6 December 2007]

Barbara Stanwyck on television?

After a lengthy memorable film career, Ms. Stanwyck embarked on a television series, a western, known as "The Big Valley."

As matriarch Victoria Barkley, Stanwyck etched still another unforgettable character.

With a wonderful supporting cast who made up her "children," each week brought a new exciting episode with a great host of guest stars.

There were times that Stanwyck looked her age, if not older, but her acting was her usual great self.

Another rousing theme back this show.

Best Western

[Poseidon-3 · 11 July 2002]

It's hard to believe that a mid-1960's western could be the favorite TV show of a preteen boy in the 1970's but it's true. This was in reruns at 4:00pm daily and I could not WAIT to get home and see it. My sister felt the same way. I know, based on www pages out there, that I am not alone in my love for "The Big Valley", but I have to admit that it's a strange thing to be addicted to. There's something about the camera-ready cast, the quality of the stories and guest stars, the majestic opening theme and background music in the episodes and the overall aura of "The Barkleys" that is just irresistible to me. The series was just one of many, many TV westerns, but what sets this apart is the female slant and the striking use of color. Was there ever a bluer shirt than Victoria Barkley's? Hair more golden than Audra's? Leather more black than Nick's? Watching reruns of "Gunsmoke" and "Bonanza", they really look like dusty, brown, more authentic (especially with "Gunsmoke") presentations. "BV" started out that way, but soon progressed into an almost surreal blend of authentic locales mixed with '60's styles and colors. How else to describe Lee Majors' sideburns, the clean lines of the womens' riding gear or the ladies' false eyelashes? But I wouldn't change any of it for the world. The Barkleys' world is a world I'd want to live in. Everything is beautiful and they stand for truth, justice and the American way! They are defenders of right and will suffer to preserve integrity. (Kinda like The Super Friends, but with less wacky costumes...) The blend of types in the show is expert. You have scholarly, level-headed Jarrod, tough, explosive Nick, sensitive, handsome Heath, thoughtful, gloriously beautiful Audra and stern, fair, in charge Victoria (...oh, and then some poor kid who was let go right off the bat and never heard from again. That's the breaks, Eugene!) Together, in any combination, or separate, they are a captivating lot. Certain images burn the memory......Victoria cocking her rifle and ordering outlaws away, her croaking Audra's name when the girl has stumbled into trouble, Heath anytime he removed his shirt, Nick raging through the front door, Audra's black riding hat with chin string sitting atop her mane of the most beautiful hair in Hollywood...... Some of the stories were rehashes of other previous works (including Stanwyck's own movies! See "Jeopardy" some time!), but most of the time they were compelling and always they were filmed with skill and class. This is one of the best TV shows ever made.

I'm just a kid and i'm in love with this show!

[powers_lily · 10/10 · 4 October 2007]

i'm really a 10 year old girl and i absolutely love that show!I'v always wanted to look like Audra.my mom and watch the big valley all the time on encore westerns.we love watching it.we always try to think that Audra and heath really are not related so they can be together.we have the first season on DVD,and we are probably gonna get the rest of it on DVD too.i'm always searching for episodes where there are a lot of Audra/heath moments.my mom and i just watched the Caesar's wife episode.it was pretty good.and i just saw some recent pictures of Linda Evans and Lee Majors,and i felt depressed,but i always think of them in the 60's.

Well thats all i have to write,now i think i'm gonna go watch an episode on DVD.bye!

One of my all-time favorites!

[res3158 · 10/10 · 15 May 2004]

I've been watching Bonanza recently and don't like it as much as The Big Valley. It seems like Bonanza is shot in a small building. The background always seems to be painted on the walls and sound seems to echo. I'm unable to see BV anymore (can't get Hallmark) but I remember most outdoor scenes looking like they were indeed outdoors (probably because they were). I also loved their house and have often wondered where it's located, what it was originally used for and if it's still standing today.

I liked the cast and the fact that most of them were in most episodes, although Audra seems to be missing from many episodes near the second half of the last season. I don't think Eugene was ever supposed to be part of the regular cast since he never appeared in the opening theme. Not sure why they had him in there to begin with.

I'd love to find this on VHS or DVD but have never seen it out there anyplace.

Good Family Western

[AngelHonesty · 7/10 · 9 January 2020]

Growing up I loved watching this show! I loved how this family worked together as a loving team to make it through the day. The episodes weren't boring, but actually enjoyable to watch. The cast chosen in this series did a great job at playing their parts. The Big Valley is a great family series with good morals and a little western action.

What Unspeakable Act Did Eugene Do?

[Ramar · 9/10 · 26 November 1998]

The Barkley family led by Victoria were a close loving family sons Jarrod the well respected lawyer, Nick who ran their large ranch and daughter Audra. So understanding was Victoria that she let her late husband's son , Heath, from an illegitimate affair into the family as full son. In the first season son Eugene was seen as a college student who would be home for a few shows, but didn't return for second season. What did he do that was so terrible? Fail a course? Embezzle faternity funds?

Awesome, but why did Linda ruin her good looks with plastic surgery?

[keelhaul-80856 · 7/10 · 13 September 2017]

This show was a good western, and perhaps more serious, if not as fun, as Bonanza and other shows.

Nick was always taking on 30 people in a bar fight, and ready to rumble in every situation, even stupid ones.

Heath was the bastard son who had actually had to earn his keep and find his place in the world. The lady's man, yet rugged, with a hidden past.

Jared was the stuffy lawyer, available for whatever trials and tribulations the family faced. He always looked like he had been in a tanning bed for 50 hrs. and could almost match George Hamilton.

Audra was a stunning blonde beauty. Why the hell did she get plastic surgery? She was ruined after that. Really made me sick to see her looks wasted like this.

Victoria was still a good-looking woman, and a Hollywood royalty actress, who played her part well enough.

I think Eugene, the little brother, actually left the show to serve in Vietnam or something, so we never developed him much.

Good show overall, and never got as ridiculous and long-winded as some of its counterparts.

The Big Valley was a major part of my life!

[WilliamJDeal · 10/10 · 6 October 2006]

My husband recently gave me the 1st season on DVD for my 50th birthday present. What a surprise and a treasure! I grew up on a small farm in Pennsylvania and The Big Valley came into my life around my 9th birthday. It never left me! I always loved horses but loving the show opened up a wholesome, healthy world of pretend and play. Our big old barn was transformed (in my mind) into the gorgeous Barkley home, and I usually played Nick on Coco. When I look back to how much time I spent playing with my horses, and bringing my friends and siblings into my Barkley world, I'm so thankful. I remember creating new story lines and acting them out. I often recruited other kids to be the rest of the Barkleys, and also Fred the Sheriff, Silas, and other neighbors. Those who wouldn't ride were usually Audra and Victoria. When some kids went on to become interested in not-so-safe ventures, I began writing screenplays and stories, some of which I used as reports for English Comp. class in High School. I have so many good memories of this wonderful show. I believe my own kids watch it out of kindness to me, but I know the underlying moral issues of the stories may take root in their minds too and someday they will appreciate it too. How thankful I am to everyone responsible for bringing this wonderful piece of my personal history to life, and a special thanks to Victoria, Jarod, Nick, Heath, and Audra. And thank you to so many folks, just like me, who take the time to write such positive messages about such wonderful entertainment, and to share your memories too.

Watched the re runs

[mm-39 · 7/10 · 5 July 2019]

Watched the re runs with my sister and we loved The Big Valley; AWWW ....there was the Western music, wide shots of the Western Valley, and the frontier back drop. What made the show. Each The Big Valley episode was different from the others. Evens would have a stalker, and or love interest episode. Lee Majors had to face a evil sheriff Major would let win mock gun fights. The Mormon with 2 wives that had a neighbor that was going hurt the family are memorable episodes. There was many notable Western actors like Bruce Dern play the usual creep! The mix of characters and story lines made a versatile show. The Big Valley episodes had violence, other episode where soap opera ish, and others family matters. The variety of cast and characters keep the viewer entertained. Better than the average Western. 7 stars.

The Big Valley

[wsst-1 · 10/10 · 12 September 2007]

This was a wonderful show that had an all star cast. The writing and directing were also well done and that made the show a western classic. Barbara Stanwyck was perfect as the head of the Barkley family. She was petite but she could be mean when she had to be. Richard Long was her oldest son Jarrod. He was an attorney as well as being more citified. You could see that he didn't care that much for the day to day workings of the ranch. Peter Breck was her younger son Nick. He could brawl with the best of them. He and Jarrod could argue and never stop but if something happened to one of them the other one knew it. Lee Majors was Tom's son. He made the show interesting in exploring unfaithfulness in a television show. Linda Evans was her daughter Audra. She didn't seem to have very good luck with men. Charles Briles was the baby Eugene. He only appeared in a very few episodes and was eventually dropped. I wish he had been kept. He could have been a vital part of the family. The show was a super western and I hope that the remaining seasons of it are released on DVD.

Watch For Stanwyck

[januszlvii · 7/10 · 3 August 2021]

While I love western movies, I do not care for most western series ( The High Chaparral, Zane Grey Theatre and the James Garner episodes of Maverick are exceptions). Big Valley was better then average because of Lee Majors ( Heath) and ( especially) Barbara Stanwyck as Victoria Barkley. I do not think people really get what made the series above average which was the presence of Stanwyck. Stanwyck by many critics was one considered of the two greatest female western stars of all-time ( her and Maureen O'Hara). For example I have seen comments here about Stanwyck's dresses but overlook Barbara putting on the jeans and getting down and dirty ( like with Charles Bronson in the coal mine ( similar to when she got down and dirty in the mud with David Janssen on Zane Grey a decade earlier)). Of course, this is the actress who instead of using a stunt woman took a punch from Clark Gable in Night Nurse 35 years earlier and got knocked out ( but earned the respect of Gable, Director William Wellman and everyone else on the film). The problem with Big Valley was the rest of the cast: Richard Long (Jerrod) who could not do action scenes due to his bad heart ( which eventually killed him), Peter Breck ( Nick) who rarely had episodes that featured him and (especially) Linda Evans (Audra), who although nice to look at, simply brought nothing to the table ( it seemed like lots of her episodes were Audra as the "Damsel In Distress." Again, watch for Stanwyck. 7/10 stars.

a Western soap opera aimed at female viewers

[grizzledgeezer · 3/10 · 14 April 2013]

I'm about to turn "The Big Valley" into "The Big Landfill". In fairness... The pressure to churn out a new episode of a TV show every 7 to 10 days makes it difficult to produce consistently good work. But not impossible.

"The Big Valley" is a poor program that deserves the trashing I'm about to administer, but it's no worse than hundreds of others. The cruelest thing I can say about "TBV" isn't that it's bad (though it is), but that it's typical of too much TV programming. Outstanding programs like "Wiseguy", "Frasier", "Futurama", and "Xena, Warrior Princess" are the too-rare exceptions. *

"The Big Valley" is an obvious ripoff of NBC's successful "Bonanza". It differs in ways designed to appeal to a wider demographic -- a female movie star who can actually act, and be a role model for young women; three sons (an intellectual, a leather-clad rowdy, and a nice guy), two of whom are hunks; ** and an airhead daughter for young hetero males. "Bonanza" had a Chinese cook; "Valley" had a shuffling Negro servant, the plausibility of which apparently deflected criticism.

"The Big Valley" is, most of the time, trashy melodrama. The "acting" is usually loud and "in your face". Characterizations are anything but subtle. Long-worn-out plots rise from the dead (brides-to-be are murdered, a blow to the head conveniently induces amnesia). And when the writers can't think of anything else, Bad People show up to harass the Barkleys for 45 minutes, then are offed in the last five.

The result is that the viewer (this one, anyway) is far more likely to laugh his/her a** off at the concocted tragedies and disasters that befall the Barkleys, et al. I refuse to apologize for laughing uncontrollably when Ma Barkley hurtles over a cliff in a stagecoach without seat belts or airbags and survives, or a wagon full of nitro (and the people driving it) blows up in a cheap faux explosion that couldn't have used more than two air cannons.

There were plans to turn "The Big Valley" into a feature film. It's ripe for an "Airplane!"-style trashing. I'm getting ideas...

ADDENDUM: This review was written after watching a bit more than the first season. I stand by my blunt criticism. However, the series improved in following seasons, with occasional solid episodes. But it is, overall, not much different from "Bonanza" -- and that's no compliment.

* The rise of cable TV created a demand for programming to fill the hours. Producers had little choice but to hire talented writers and directors whose work was "too good" for broadcast television.

** None of the Bonanza boys were particularly desirable matrimonial fodder. Little Joe appealed only to women who wanted a boy to mother. Adam was surly. And Hoss was... well, he had a nice personality.

Why The Big Valley means so much to me.

[disney5367 · 22 January 2005]

I began watching The Big Valley back when I was seven years old. That was thirty years ago. Little did I know then that the show would become something that would help me. I went through years of abuse through two different family members. If it weren't for the show The Big Valley I probably would have committed suicide at an early age. Instead of turning to drug or alcohol abuse, or other forms of hurting myself, I focused instead on the cast of this amazing show. The affection and love they had for each other made a big impression on me. I longed to be part of a family that cared for each other like the Barkley's did. They became so real to me at times that it blocked out how bad I was feeling about what I was going through and it gave me something positive to focus on instead of the pain and shame of living with what was happening to me. I am grateful to the entire cast of the show for giving me a way out of a bad situation and focusing on something good, something that wouldn't hurt me or anyone else. They mean a great deal to me and always will. I hope that sometime I will get to see one of them with my own eyes. I don't have to meet them personally. Just to see them will be enough. The show gave me a feeling of peace just to watch. It always made me laugh at times when I really needed it, and thrilled me at other times. The men on the show were the best looking men I have seen on any show (then or since) and I've yet to see a television show that shows a family that cares the way that they did on The Big Valley. It gave me such joy to be able to come home and watch the show. Certain episodes stayed with me from the time I first started watching it. One in particular showed what a caring man Nick was. In the episode "The Prize" where Heath brings home little Joey. The scene where Nick is trying to get to sleep but can't because Joey is teething and very fussy I still remember to this day, even though I haven't seen the episode in over twenty-five years. When he referred to himself as "Uncle Nick" and Audra was watching from the doorway I thought was one of the best scenes in that series. Another episode was "The Iron Box" where Nick and Heath were arrested for cattle theft and put in a chain gang I thought was incredible acting by Peter and Lee. I have hoped for years that someday a Big Valley reunion will be filmed. I know that Barbara and Richard are gone, but I think it would be great to see Peter, Lee and Linda reunited in a Big Valley reunion. This series will always hold a special place to me. It's been a part of me for as long as I can remember and will always remain a big part of me.

Improved Bonanza

[drystyx · 9/10 · 25 November 2013]

This Western TV series was much like "Bonanza", and in fact seems to be an answer to the drawback of the Lorne Greene series.

We have a matriarch instead of a patriarch here, but that isn't the real difference. We have three sons in both, with THE BIG VALLEY adding a daughter.

The daughter was one thing that was lacking in BONANZA. The young girl and the mother provided women viewers people to identify with, and they were very reasonable characters, as most TV action series leads should be.

The daughter was a "woman's woman" too, the sort that women think of themselves as being like. She was pale and blond, an average girl, maybe a bit more attractive in the face than most. She could easily get lost in a crowd, though. But so could the mother, played by classic actress Barbara Stanwyck.

The biggest improvement over the Lorne Greene series was the second son. Both series had a handsome oldest son with intellect, and a handsome youngest son who usually wound up being the one to shoot a man dead in self defense. However, lets be honest. Blocker as Hoss, the second son, was not someone a kid wanted to be like. Families across America would watch this, but the second sons would always be alienated. Very few wanted to watch themselves be portrayed as fat clowns.

That's where this series made itself better. The second son here was the tough one, like Hoss, but he wasn't the eyesore. He was just as romantic looking as the other sons.

Westerns Are Not Good As Good As They Come like Big Valley!

[ShelbyTMItchell · 9/10 · 4 November 2013]

Barbara Stynwick must had been shown a lot of money. In order to get to TV. As her movie career was winding down. She plays the headstrong but sympathetic head of the owner of the ranch. Which was controversial at the time.

She played a mom that had her hands full, raising her children as a single mother who's husband died six years prior to where the show began.

There was even tempered and calmer attorney Jarrod, hot tempered but sympathetic Nick, illegitimate son Heath who had to prove his worth to the family, and only daughter Audra who was stubborn but yet, one action gal.

They do not make westerns like they used to like "Bonanza" or the "Big Valley!"

Very good acting and very defined characters

[mlbroberts · 9/10 · 25 April 2021]

Lee Majors and Linda Evans were newcomers and not the best actors at the time, but who can argue that Stanwyck wasn't a pillar of her profession here? Richard Long had been in films and TV for 20 years, Peter Breck for 10, and they were both well trained and excellent old hands at their profession. Add to that, the characters they portrayed really were characters of some depth. Jarrod and Nick were nothing alike, and not identical to characters Long and Breck had played before. Their skill and professionalism showed. Victoria was the boss but a feminine boss, not a Ben Cartwright knock-off and not like some of the wild women Stanwyck had played through the years. Majors and Evans needed a lot of work - Majors especially needed a long, long sit down with Stanwyck to get set in the right direction - but they had an excellent, well seasoned cast to work with in Stanwyck, Long and Breck, and that made all the difference. This was one of the most well-rounded family of characters on TV at the time. The series was sometimes hamstrung by less than stellar writing, but Stanwyck, Long and Breck saved more than one weak script. It was an excellent series.

A fine Western series

[Zriter59 · 8/10 · 30 January 2011]

Not trying to review any particular episode, but the series:).

I saw most of "The Big Valley" during syndication in the early 1970s, and have lately been watching it again on Me TV. I still believe that it is one of the best Westerns produced by American television.

The initial plot is intriguing, because Heath (Lee Majors' character) is the illegitimate son of the late Tom Barkley. The wealthy yet hard- working Barkleys eventually concede the evidence and acknowledge Heath as one of their own. Thereafter, we see Jarrod, Nick and Audra Barkley gradually accepting Heath as their brother, as he begins to accept them as his close siblings.

Also interesting was Heath's evolving relationship with Victoria. She was not his biological mother, although her late husband was Heath's father. Even so, she promptly begins thinking of him as her son, even as he starts calling her "Mother." During the first season, there's an episode in which Heath and Victoria take a long trip that turns disastrous when he's virtually buried under the wagon. Victoria fights like hell to save him, enlisting an escaped convict (Bruce Dern) to help her. Throughout, she calls Heath "my son."

The last scene shows Heath -- exhausted but not seriously injured -- ensconced in Victoria's arms.

The late Richard Long portrayed Jarrod, the Barkleys' eldest and a licensed attorney, as strong and steady. Middle son Nick was big, strong and fearless, although emotional and impulsive as well; Peter Breck conveyed those qualities superbly.

Linda Evans was at the peak of her young and overwhelming beauty as Audra Barkley. Evans played Audra as an impetuous young woman -- perhaps gullible with potential lovers (like Robert Goulet's Brother Love), yet quite as fearless as the other Barkleys.

Then there's "Miss" Barbara Stanwyck as Victoria Barkley. I am such a Stanwyck fan that I should probably recuse myself here. Suffice it to say that this role required strength and force, balanced by charm, humor and at least some vulnerability (some characters -- usually played by Bruce Dern -- slapped or even punched Victoria; yet she kept fighting for the freedom that she eventually won:))

BS was also damn sexy, even in her late 50s and early 60s (she was born in 1907). Those splendid cheekbones and that laser-like gaze can still buckle a strong man's knees:).

Big valley review

[musclebird · 10/10 · 19 July 2015]

One of the great western series of all time. With her husbands passing mrs.Barkley (Barbara Stanwyck) is the glue that holds the family together with love,compassion Richard Long plays lawyer and oldest son Jarrod. Peter Breck plays quick to fight Nick Barkley, Lee Maijors plays Heath Barkley tough and rugged.Linda Evans plays Audra Barkley beautiful and pure. Youngest son Eugene isn't in but first 8 episodes and is off to college. What separates Big Valley is the strong cast also Heath Barkley was recently passed Tom Barkleys son . Twist is he didn't know he existed. Heath enters the Barkleys lives and becomes part of what he has wanted his whole life a real family. Some very good episodes very entertaining truly classic television. They show a toughness and family bond that cannot be broken.

Can't believe i sat thru this

[QueenoftheGoons · 1/10 · 8 March 2022]

I'll watch anything that has one of my goons in it, no matter how bad. However the Long ride ep with Richard Anderson and Allen Jaffe and Hagen was good. Lou Rawls was on one and John Milford as always delivered 3x i believe. Never liked Heath or Jarrod, can't stand Stanwyck and miss Barbie Doll oh i was hoping she'd die but i know better. This was brutal. However i always liked Nick. Always had a thing for Villains. He wore the same outfit on his movie "A man for hanging."

Boy Howdy!!

[willowgreen · 12 February 2003]

I am really greatly relieved to read the previous reviews, knowing that I am not alone in being a huge fan of this great series!! There was just something about this show as a whole which really appealed to me - in a big way. I loved all the Barkley characters. Victoria was played to perfection by Stanwyck. The widow Barkley was a curious but convincing mixture of gracious elegance and guts: her Victoria Barkley is practically a cult figure of female characters of the Western genre. Richard Long was genuinely likeable as the level-headed eldest son, Jarrod, who provided a nice balance between the tough, egotistical Nick and the more sensitive half-brother Heath. Linda Evans was astonishingly beautiful as Audra (she alone kept many male baby boomers tuned in!). But there was so much else "right" with this show - artificial though it may have looked to those critical of Stanwyck being "Ben Cartwright in a skirt". The storylines were well-written & original and the shows were well-directed and well-acted. Most every episode was colourful, tasteful, upright & moral - but rarely dull, somehow: there was a larger-than-life quality to the series which appealed to its particular fans: the colour is beautiful to look at, and the score by George Duning is beautiful to hear. The series boasted many interesting guest stars: Julie Harris, Cloris Leachman, Colleen Dewhurst among many others. An embarrassing confession: as a kid, Heath Barkley was my sole hero: I thought Lee Major's playing of the half-breed illegitimate son of Tom Barkley was really inspired. Majors made Heath a really likeable character. Although Majors did many more successful TV roles, it is for his playing of Heath Barkley that I most fondly identify him with to this day.

What a great Western Series this was- Now on DVD!!

[chris-glo · 10/10 · 25 May 2006]

When I first saw that THE BIG VALLEY was to be released on DVD, I just could not wait to get Season One. Now I have it - and was not disappointed. I used to watch this show faithfully when it was televised (was totally in love with Nick Barkley!!) and it is just as good, if not better than I remembered it. These stories - they have depth and meaning - some are heart-wrenching - all are great! The performances are way above average (I grew to love Barbara Stanwyck because of this series and have seen almost all of her films thru the years) Ms Stanwyck was so underrated as an actress - to me, she's in the top ten greatest. The others also: Richard Long, Peter Breck (pant-pant), Lee Majors and Linda Evans - all fantastic! I feel so bad that there are no more TV series of this caliber anymore. Thank goodness for whoever is responsible for releasing these old series' on DVD. My only question is.... When do we get Season Two????

Barbara Stanwyck was the star!

[nejtak-70238 · 10/10 · 3 September 2019]

Barbara Stanwyck playing Victoria Barkley was the star of The Big Valley. What's with "Stars: Richard Long, Peter Breck, Lee Majors"? Could it be you list them as the stars because they're men? None of the other actors on the series holds the Hollywood status of Stanwyck. Stanwyck portrayed the Queen of the Barkley ranch. Her name was even Victoria, get it?

Bonanza with a mom and a sister

[qormi · 9/10 · 19 July 2020]

In some ways, this show was better than Bonanza. Nick Barkley was a loose cannon, whereas the Cartwright brothers were relatively stable with their emotions. Most of the plots were more cerebral than Bonanza, and more realistic. The fight scenes were more violent in the Big Valley. Like Bonanza, they made a mistake in the fact that none of the siblings ever married, which is odd. Granted, Jarrod on the Big Valley as well as Little Joe and Adam Cartwright were married for a day before the bride was tragically killed. Audra remaining single was crazy, considering her beauty and the fact that almost all women were married by age 18 back then. In both shows, some of the siblings could have found a spouse and lived on the acreage in a house they had built, even having kids. It would have made things more interesting. Instead, we are led to assume that all were still virgins in their late twenties and thirties.