The Big Country (1958)
I haven’t seen every western in the world, but I’ve seen my fair share, and in my opinion The Big Country is one of the best classic western films. If you haven’t seen this oldie yet, go out and buy it now. Trust me, you’ll want to watch it over and over again.
William Wyler, director of another perfect American classic The Best Years of Our Lives, helmed The Big Country the year before using Charlton Heston again in Ben-Hur. Charlton Heston plays the antagonist in this movie, and it’s great to see him in that rare role. The lead, the out-of-towner with a strong moral character, is played by Gregory Peck, the very portrait of American integrity. Greg comes to the open country to reunite with his fiancé Caroll Baker. He’s an outsider, and he isn’t welcomed with open arms by everyone. Along the way, he builds a friendship with Jean Simmons, who appreciates his high morals, and he finds himself in the middle of a decades-old family feud, led by Charles Bickford and Burl Ives.
Jerome Moross wrote one of the greatest film scores of all time to The Big Country, but of course, lost the Oscar that year to a far less deserving rival. It’s such a beautiful score, romantic, equestrian, and adventurous in all the right places.
Every wonderful element that makes a classic western is found in The Big Country. There’s a slow but steady pace set by a gentle director, grizzled old men with memorable one-liners in their bickering, a clash between country folk and city folk, love triangles, an untamable horse, a shootout, and beautiful music.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Kiss Bela" for posting!
More Jean Simmons movies here!
William Wyler, director of another perfect American classic The Best Years of Our Lives, helmed The Big Country the year before using Charlton Heston again in Ben-Hur. Charlton Heston plays the antagonist in this movie, and it’s great to see him in that rare role. The lead, the out-of-towner with a strong moral character, is played by Gregory Peck, the very portrait of American integrity. Greg comes to the open country to reunite with his fiancé Caroll Baker. He’s an outsider, and he isn’t welcomed with open arms by everyone. Along the way, he builds a friendship with Jean Simmons, who appreciates his high morals, and he finds himself in the middle of a decades-old family feud, led by Charles Bickford and Burl Ives.
Jerome Moross wrote one of the greatest film scores of all time to The Big Country, but of course, lost the Oscar that year to a far less deserving rival. It’s such a beautiful score, romantic, equestrian, and adventurous in all the right places.
Every wonderful element that makes a classic western is found in The Big Country. There’s a slow but steady pace set by a gentle director, grizzled old men with memorable one-liners in their bickering, a clash between country folk and city folk, love triangles, an untamable horse, a shootout, and beautiful music.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Kiss Bela" for posting!
More Jean Simmons movies here!
Hot Toasty Rag Awards:
Best Musical Score of 1958: Jerome Moross
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Picture