Bringing an ensemble cast to the screen, led by Gregory Peck,The Big Countrymay not have made a major impact on its release in 1958. However, the film has gone on to be consideredone of the best Westerns of the eraand now sits at a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. This is due to various factors, but William Wyler’s epicWesternhas continued to get accolades from those who discovered the movie for the first time decades after its release.
We will look at the cast and crew behindThe Big Country,the inventive film techniques that have earned it critical and fan appreciation, and the best way to watch the Western classic for yourself.
The Big Country Cast and Plot
New England sea captain James McKay,played by Gregory Peck, is caught up in a feud over a valuable patch of land when he visits his fiancée Patricia Terrill (Carroll Baker) at her family’s sprawling Texas ranch. The feud between Patricia’s father, Major Terrill (Charles Bickford), and the ruthless outlaw family, The Hannassey’s, led by Rufus Hannassey (Burl Ives), causes constant tension. McKay, a man who admires peace, tries to mediate the conflict but only becomes isolated by both parties who are set on violence. This drives McKay into a romantic relationship with the landowner Julie Maragon (Jean Simmons), who is caught in the middle of everything.
Robert Wyler and Jessamyn West wrote the first screenplay for the movie, based on the serialized story of the same name by Donald Hamilton, which was running in The Saturday Evening Post. Donald Hamilton was one of the major American thriller writers of the 20th century and was best known for his work in the spy/thriller genre. Robert’s younger brother, William Wyler, would helm the film. William Wyler was a prolific filmmaker best known for his work on classics likeThe Best Years of Our Lives,Roman Holiday, andBen Hur.
Gregory Peck, who had already become a familiar face to Western fans beforeThe Big Countryfor his roles in such films asThe Bravados,The Gunfighter, andYellow Sky, played the lead role of James McKay. Caroll Baker played James Mckay’s fiancée; she is best known for her role in thecontroversial dark comedyBaby Doll, while Jean Simmons, best known for her role inGuys and Dolls, played the romantic interest, Julie. Burl Ives played Rufus Hannasy, for which he won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor; though he is likely most well known for voicing Sam the Snowman in the 1964 Christmas classicRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Other notable names in the Western genre rounded out the cast, including Charlton Heston, Chuck Connors, and Alfonso Bedoya.
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The Big Country Remains 100% on Rotten Tomatoes 70 Years After Its Release
Meeting with mixed reactions from critics on its release, with Bosley Crowther of The New York Times going as far as to say, “For all this film’s mighty pretensions, it does not get far beneath the skin of its conventional Western situation and its stock Western characters.” The movie still managed a generally positive reception, with many praising the cinematography as accomplished for the genre and offering a solid Western story. The movie managed a moderate success at the box office, grossing $3.5 million in the US and Canada (Over 41 Million with Inflation). However, the film’s biggest fan is arguably President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who screened it on four successive evenings in the White House during his second administration.
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However, the movie has garnered continued appreciation and currently has an impressive score on Rotten Tomatoes, sitting at 100% critics score with 13 reviews and 91% audience score with over 5,000 ratings. This is largely due to the film’s visual presence using a new “Technirama” technique that would set the groundwork for many films to follow and solid storytelling, making ita standout in the Western genredecades after its release. The star-studded cast also helps, and Burl Ives’s Oscar-winning performance, particularly, is worthy of the accolades.
The many innovative production elements behindThe Big Countryhave been extensively explored.Breton Film offers a two-part pieceon every production element, down to the smaller details like the title cards. There are certainly ample elements to appreciate and break down. So it’s no wonder that decades after the movie’s release, many fans of the Western genre still hold it in high regard.
Where to Watch The Big Country
The film’s mixed reception on release and the lukewarm box office has ledThe Big Countryto exist in relative obscurity. Still, it has found great appreciation among critics and fans alike, making it worthy of experience in the modern era. If you want to check it out,you’re able to streamThe Big Countryon MGM+, Fubo, or Pluto TV. Alternatively,you can rentThe Big Countryon Apple TV+, Prime, or YouTube.
