Rating: 
Summary: I thought you were dead; Not hardly
Review: Big Jake is one of those great westerns that you can watch over and over again and never get sick of it. The story is about Jacob McCandles who is tracking down the gang who kidnapped his grandson in a bloody raid. Joining him are his two sons and an old friend, Sam Sharpnose. This is a quick-paced movie with good characters and snappy if cliched dialogue. Obviously, this might not be the deepest plot, but it is still fun to watch. In a late role for him, John Wayne plays McCandles, an aging gunman refusing to admit that times are changing. Richard Boone plays John Faine, the leader of the gang who kidnaps the Duke's grandson and actual son, Ethan Wayne. Maureen O'Hara is very good in a early appearance, but she disappears too quickly. Also notable are Patrick Wayne, Bruce Cabot, Christopher Mithchum, John Agar and many other recognizable faces from other Duke classics. The widescreen presentation is great with an excellent soundtrack by Elmer Bernstein. Otherwise, no other extras are offered. A great John Wayne movie that will keep western fans pleased all around.
Rating: 
Summary: ONE OF WAYNE'S FINAL WESTERNS
Review: Big Jake was one of John Wayne's last westerns. He would go on ot make a couple of "Dirty Harry" type cop movies. Big Jake is notable for the final pairing between Wayne, and long-time co-star Maureen O'Hara. These two were always great chemistry and although their scenes together in this film are very few, you can see that they still have it. It is 1909, the old West is quickly passing away, there are oil derricks all over the Texas horizon. The Duke plays "Jacob McCandles", a man exiled from his home "spread" for eighteen years. His estranged wife, played by O'Hara, sends him an urgent message: their little grandson has been kidnapped, come home, pronto! The Duke arrives riding his ol' horse and carrying his familiar Colt 45. His sons (played by real life son Patrick and Chris Mitchum, and Bobby Vinton!) do not know him, except by reputation. Two of them accompany him on his man hunt. Duke is carrying one million dollars ransom money aboard an old mule. The sheriff and Texas rangers want to join the posse, but Big Jake demurs, so they set out in their newfangled automobiles to parallel his track and meet up with him later. Meet up they do, but the cars are not as durable as Duke's horse and he leaves them stranded to walk home. Also, the younger son, a "gadget freak", rides an early motorcycle, carries an automatic pistol, and a scoped rifle. Duke and his sons are accompanied by one of the most savvy Indian scouts ever seen on the silver screen, "Sam Sharpnose", well portrayed by Bruce Cabot. Led by lead villain Richard Boone, there are nine bandits to four pursuers... who will win in the inevitable confrontation? Big Jake whispers to Richard Boone just before the shootout: "Your fault, my fault, nobody's fault, I'm gonna blow your head off. No matter who gets killed, no matter who gets shot, I'm gonna blow your head off." A running gag throughout the movie is people keep telling Wayne "I thought you were dead." Not one of Wayne's Greatest, but surprisingly good for his age and a fine supporting cast, particularly Boone, and old Friend Bruce Cabot. Very good!
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF WAYNE'S FINAL WESTERNS
Review: Big Jake was one of John Wayne's last westerns. He would go on ot make a couple of "Dirty Harry" type cop movies. Big Jake is notable for the final pairing between Wayne, and long-time co-star Maureen O'Hara. These two were always great chemistry and although their scenes together in this film are very few, you can see that they still have it. It is 1909, the old West is quickly passing away, there are oil derricks all over the Texas horizon. The Duke plays "Jacob McCandles", a man exiled from his home "spread" for eighteen years. His estranged wife, played by O'Hara, sends him an urgent message: their little grandson has been kidnapped, come home, pronto! The Duke arrives riding his ol' horse and carrying his familiar Colt 45. His sons (played by real life son Patrick and Chris Mitchum, and Bobby Vinton!) do not know him, except by reputation. Two of them accompany him on his man hunt. Duke is carrying one million dollars ransom money aboard an old mule. The sheriff and Texas rangers want to join the posse, but Big Jake demurs, so they set out in their newfangled automobiles to parallel his track and meet up with him later. Meet up they do, but the cars are not as durable as Duke's horse and he leaves them stranded to walk home. Also, the younger son, a "gadget freak", rides an early motorcycle, carries an automatic pistol, and a scoped rifle. Duke and his sons are accompanied by one of the most savvy Indian scouts ever seen on the silver screen, "Sam Sharpnose", well portrayed by Bruce Cabot. Led by lead villain Richard Boone, there are nine bandits to four pursuers... who will win in the inevitable confrontation? Big Jake whispers to Richard Boone just before the shootout: "Your fault, my fault, nobody's fault, I'm gonna blow your head off. No matter who gets killed, no matter who gets shot, I'm gonna blow your head off." A running gag throughout the movie is people keep telling Wayne "I thought you were dead." Not one of Wayne's Greatest, but surprisingly good for his age and a fine supporting cast, particularly Boone, and old Friend Bruce Cabot. Very good!
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF WAYNE'S FINAL WESTERNS
Review: Big Jake was one of John Wayne's last westerns. He would go on ot make a couple of "Dirty Harry" type cop movies. Big Jake is notable for the final pairing between Wayne, and long-time co-star Maureen O'Hara. These two were always great chemistry and although their scenes together in this film are very few, you can see that they still have it. It is 1909, the old West is quickly passing away, there are oil derricks all over the Texas horizon. The Duke plays "Jacob McCandles", a man exiled from his home "spread" for eighteen years. His estranged wife, played by O'Hara, sends him an urgent message: their little grandson has been kidnapped, come home, pronto! The Duke arrives riding his ol' horse and carrying his familiar Colt 45. His sons (played by real life son Patrick and Chris Mitchum, and Bobby Vinton!) do not know him, except by reputation. Two of them accompany him on his man hunt. Duke is carrying one million dollars ransom money aboard an old mule. The sheriff and Texas rangers want to join the posse, but Big Jake demurs, so they set out in their newfangled automobiles to parallel his track and meet up with him later. Meet up they do, but the cars are not as durable as Duke's horse and he leaves them stranded to walk home. Also, the younger son, a "gadget freak", rides an early motorcycle, carries an automatic pistol, and a scoped rifle. Duke and his sons are accompanied by one of the most savvy Indian scouts ever seen on the silver screen, "Sam Sharpnose", well portrayed by Bruce Cabot. Led by lead villain Richard Boone, there are nine bandits to four pursuers... who will win in the inevitable confrontation? Big Jake whispers to Richard Boone just before the shootout: "Your fault, my fault, nobody's fault, I'm gonna blow your head off. No matter who gets killed, no matter who gets shot, I'm gonna blow your head off." A running gag throughout the movie is people keep telling Wayne "I thought you were dead." Not one of Wayne's Greatest, but surprisingly good for his age and a fine supporting cast, particularly Boone, and old Friend Bruce Cabot. Very good!
Rating:
Summary: One of my Favorite John Wayne Movies
Review: Big Jake, although not his best, was still one of my favorite movies. My own grandpa was a larger than life figure, and this movie rings true to what he was in the prime of his life. One of Wayne's last, and I think it has to be on everyone's list. The adversary is a tough nut to crack, and knows just how to hit the nerves. It's not over the top violent (I suppose that compares with today's movies). GOD i wish they would have picked anything else for that kid to wear but that girlish little jumper with the white collar!
Rating:
Summary: A man and his dog
Review: Everyone thought he was dead "Not Hardly". John Wayne and his dog make a classical Wayne entrance as Jacob McCandles, one of the last indestructible cowboys. When bad people that misjudged their advantage ransom his son, Jake is summoned to do the retrieval. The family reunites to accomplish the task and they must learn to cooperate with each other and in the process becomes a tight family again. Even thought this is pretty much a Wayne formula there are plenty of surprises and lots of action. And my favorite bad guy is my favorite good guy from television Richard Boone.
Rating:
Summary: One of my Favorite John Wayne Movies
Review: Handy strategy point for kidnappers. If your going to kidnap the grandson of the toughest rancher in the west, make sure that the rumors of his death are true. Richard Boone plays the Bad guy bossman. He is smart tough and bold. But when Jake, family and friends head off to pay the ransome there is adventure and surprises awaiting. The movie is a solid 3 star western. At some point john Wayne must have distacted who his co-stars would be, because this is another movie loaded with his friends that can't act. His son patrick and Robert mitchum son just look out of their element. That aside, I am a hugh fan of Waynes and I'll enjoy most anything he is in, except the COWBOYS.
Rating: 
Summary: Solid western where the duke must save is Grandson
Review: Handy strategy point for kidnappers. If your going to kidnap the grandson of the toughest rancher in the west, make sure that the rumors of his death are true. Richard Boone plays the Bad guy bossman. He is smart tough and bold. But when Jake, family and friends head off to pay the ransome there is adventure and surprises awaiting. The movie is a solid 3 star western. At some point john Wayne must have distacted who his co-stars would be, because this is another movie loaded with his friends that can't act. His son patrick and Robert mitchum son just look out of their element. That aside, I am a hugh fan of Waynes and I'll enjoy most anything he is in, except the COWBOYS.
Rating:
Summary: Classic John Wayne, (but aren't they all)
Review: I admire John Wayne a great deal; not so much as an actor, but as an american. This movie is classic, standard John Wayne fare. Themes of family, honor, courage, self-sacrifice make this a film you will enjoy. John Wayne lived american values and his movies proclaimed them. In the film, Jacob McCandles, estranged from his wife and sons for many years, must team up with them to rescue his grandson from ruthless kidnappers. This movie is admirable but flawed; just like it's star.
Rating:
Summary: Great Western Fun!
Review: I am 41 years old and watched many western movies. This one is on the top of my list for westerns and I can't see anyone not liking the action and storyline. Like another review, I like the transition from horses to cars and of course the horse won! My favorite part is when Jacob has to remind his son why NOT to call him Daddy! When I am 70 years old I hope this movie is still available to watch.
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