Rating: 
Summary: What happened to the opening?
Review: I bought this DVD because from experience I knew the color would be even better than the VHS. It was -- EXCEPT for the opening credits. There's supposed to be a copper/brown wash over the scenes of the stagecoach. That's how it was on both VHS issues (P&S and Wide). Here, it's BLACK-AND-WHITE! The aforementioned copper brown flashes on screen a couple of times, but otherwise b/w. The rest of the picture's color is fine. I checked on three DVD players, then took it in as defective. The replacement is the same, so obviously they released it this way. MGM didn't take very much care here. The film itself is still great, but what happened to the opening?
Rating: 
Summary: No room for Pride in the Big Country!
Review: Big Country deals with the issues of pride between two ruthless, selfish old men who cannot set their anger aside and learn to live with everyone. This sets the scene for violent outbursts, gun fights and verbal conflicts. That will satisfy the men :).Now, for the women, this movie has wonderful fighting over the women and a undercurrent of romance between rancher/school teacher Julie Moragon (Jean Simmons) and the intellectual even-tempered Jim McKay (Gregory Peck). Jim McKay is actually engaged to Mr. Terrill's shallow but beautiful daughter, Patricia (Carroll Baker). His competition, Steve Leech (Charlton Heston) is a brooding, rugged ranch foreman who loves the land and will fight for what he wants. The relationship between Jim and Patricia is shaky at best. There is no real depth. Jim McKay is from the East and doesn't realize he has walked into age old feud in the West. Once he realizes what needs to be done, he bravely helps to solve the problems with intellect instead of brawn. He uses his "sea captain" skills to navigate the open range of the west and brings a cool ocean breeze to this heated dry land. The poor Rufus Hannassey (Burl Ives) plays the patriarch of a disreputable clan who is fighting for their water rights. As cattle die, the situation escalates to a shoot out. His long time enemy rich Mr. Terrill (Charles Brickford) is determined to destroy him for good. "If there is anything I admire more than a devoted friend, it's a dedicated enemy." -Mr. Terrill While this is a explosive drama, there are some very amusing lines which will catch you unawares. The chemistry between Jean Simmons and Gregory Peck is mild, yet romantic. The jealous foreman, Steve Leech seems tormented through the entire movie by his attraction to Patricia which creates a sense of tension through the whole movie. This is not a movie for the impatient. This is a movie for those who appreciate great acting and story telling at its best. A wonderful Western, perhaps my favorite.
Rating:
Summary: Review of The Big County
Review: This movie is one of the all time great classics with some of the best talent available. Gregory Peck in his best roll along with the great Burl Ives and Charleston Heston. Set in a time when the west was beginning to come around but yet still controlled by powerful wealthy ranchers and how one man can have a great part in shaping the future of the western part of our country without violence. This is a must see for anyone wanting to see a great movie which will hold your attention and you will come away with a great respect for the acting ability of everyone associated with this movie....Add it to your collection
Rating: 
Summary: A big Western with a stupendous music score.
Review: I loved this movie as a kid when I saw it in the theatre back in 1958 or 1959 and I still love it. The movie score by Jerome Morass is absolutely magnificent. Gregory Peck plays a pacifist Easterner who's trying to avoid getting caught up in the land dispute his fiance's (Carol Baker) family is having with a local clan. His shallow fiance and her father (Charles Bickford) interpret his unwillingness to fight as a sign of weakness. Charlton Heston and the beautiful Jean Simmons are fine in their roles. Burl Ives won an Oscar for his portrayal of Rufus Hennesey, the leader of a very large extended family. Last, but not least, Chuck Connors (of the Rifleman TV series) turns in his finest film performance. A big movie with big stars made by a big-time director (William Wyler who won best director Oscars for Ben-Hur and The Best Years of Our Lives). A fine film with a good message about the futility of fighting in order to resolve conflicts.
Rating:
Summary: A Man For All Seasons
Review: The BIG COUNTRY has it all: big stars, excellent supporting cast, interesting story, familiar music, and colorful scenry. John Ford used this same combination to produce a series of successful Westerns, and it is wonderful to see someone else use a similiar pattern. It is the unspoken theme that sets this film apart: A Big Country requires a Big Man. And exactly what kind of Big Man is needed? Well, the contrasts are what make this film interesting. Major Henry Terrill has all the appearance of integrity, but none of the substance. Rufus Hannassey is nearly the opposite. Each of these men have a top hand. Terrill has Steve Leech, who he raised. Rufus has his son Buck. Leech and Buck are opposites: Buck is one of the nastest bad guys you've ever seen, while Leech seems to embody all the stero-typical hero elements. The opposites are not there just for the story's sake, they beg the question "What is the measure of a man?" It is also tempting to suggest, "What is the measure of a woman?" because even the women in this story seem to be opposites: Patricia Terrill is as spoiled and impulsive as her friend, Julie Maragon is self reliant and reflective. Into this world comes James McKay. Almost immediately McKay comes in conflict with the appearance-only nature of the Terrill side of the conflict. Leech, like his mentor, needs an outward show to back up his authority. When McKay demonstrates that appearances do not translate into real authority, that integrity means much more, Leech's view of the world begins to crumble. The conflict between Rufus, who has a measure of integrity, and his son, who has no redeeming characteristics, is sad. Near the film's end, McKay forces Rufus to accept the consequences of his integrity. It is interesting that McKay is really not an intruder, he is (in fact) restoring balance to a community. In the film we learn that Julie Maragon's Grandfather played the role that McKay is obviously going to fill. Unfortunately, because of his death, the Big Country has been going to rack and ruin (as symbolized by the deteriorating Grand House). One could argue that this film is about who is the rightful heir to the Big Country: the bickering, fighting families or Julie Maragon and her Man. I believe that Wyler answers the question clearly. The rightful heir is he who can maintain balance by means of clear sight and integrity. I wish this film was released in a Wide Screen version (on DVD). Highly Recommended
Rating:
Summary: The Music Is Good....
Review: Gregory Peck, one of my favorite actors, seems uneasy in the role of an Easterner who tries to become a part of the rough-and-tumble West. Charlton Heston, also a favorite, is a little too stiff in his part. Both Carroll Baker and Jean Simmons fare a little better in their stereotypical parts as "frontier women." However, the two old pros, Charles Bickford and Burl Ives, walk away with the acting honors. Their characters' mutual hatred and their respective efforts to usurp the other make this a semi-worthwhile viewing experience. And a pre-Rifleman Chuck Connors is delicious as Ives' malevolent son. This role was a far cry from his "goody goody" Lucas McCain.
Rating:
Summary: A lesson in honor
Review: The Big Country is my second most favorite Gregory Peck film. He plays a fascinating character, James McKay. A man who has seen much in his life, lately in the navy as a captain and now wants to try his hand as a rancher in the wild west. This decision may have been in part due to the fact that his sweetheart is a rancher's daughter, Patricia Terrill. Unfortunately he is dragged into a dispute over land boundaries and water rights between his potential father in law, Major Henry Terrill and Rufus Hannassey, a rival rancher.
What makes this film fascinating is that James McKay has a firm moral code which refuses to be compromised even slightly by the expectations of his sweetheart, the threats of the head ranch hand or the bribes of the other rancher. Even though it ends up costing him his sweetheart and nearly his life, he is able to maintain a straight course.
For the romantics out there it should be noted that he does get the girl in the end. Played by Jean Simmons, the local school marm, Julie Maragon, is able to see through the stereotypes to the man of steel underneath. Not only that, but he ends up getting the best piece of property around on which to start his ranching career. The film is chock full of great actors performing superbly. It makes a great reminder that even oldies can teach us something new. Especially about moral dilemma, a subject which has received little serious attention of late.
Rating:
Summary: A HOMOEROTIC LOVEFEST
Review: This movie is so ambiguous,so homoerotic,it can't just be my imagination.Peck and Heston seem more in love with eachother than the girl.Heston to me is the king of homoerotic film and he proves worthy of it in this movie.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best movies of all time.
Review: You may be surprised that I consider this film to be one of the best ever made. The true value of the film is the unique story. At first blush it certainly doesn't seem unique, but as the story unfolds it becomes obvious that this is not just another western. This movie deals with elements that most movies won't dare touch, such as morality, honor, and "What makes a real man?" This is one of those rare movies that makes an important point, inspiring the audience and making you think. Add to that dead-on acting, a terrific cast, and you have a true gem of a film. And unlike so many films today that obvious is never stated. The characters convey their feelings through a look as often as they do in words. One last thing. Do yourself a favor and get the widescreen version, since without it you often can't see characters while they are talking.
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE ALL TIME BEST WESTERN MOVIES.
Review: I LOVED THE STORY, I LOVED THE ACTING, I LOVED THE PHOTOGRAPHY, AND MOST OF ALL I LOVED THE MUSIC. IF YOU LIKED JEROME MOROSS'S SCORE, TRY "THE JAYHAWKERS" WITH JEFF CHANDLER AND FESS PARKER. IT HAS ANOTHER ROUSING MOROSS SCORE!
| 
