Rating: 
Summary: A classic of the genre
Review: Jim McKay (Peck), a former sea captain and son of a Baltimore family that "owns a whole fleet of ships," arrives by stage in what is probably west Texas to marry Pat Terrell (Baker), whose father, Major Henry Terrell (Bickford), owns Ladder, the premiere cattle spread of the district. He meets Pat's friend Julie Maragon (Simmons) and the Ladder foreman Steve Leach (Heston) and has a confrontation with Buck Hennessy (Connors), who, he soon learns, comes of a family with which Terrell has been feuding for years. When the patriarch of the clan, Rufus (Ives in his Best Supporting Actor role), crashes the engagement party Terrell is throwing for the couple, McKay resolves to keep the feud from exploding, and arranges to buy Julie's inheritance, Big Muddy, promising to throw its eponymous river open to all in need--Hennessys and Ladder alike. Before he can publicize his act, he quarrels with Pat, who breaks off their engagement, and Julie is kidnapped by Buck, partly because he wants her and partly because his father hopes to use her as bait to draw Ladder into a trap. Only now does McKay realize who he's really in love with, and he sets off to avert a massacre. What follows leaves the younger generation in charge, and viewers are left with the impression that McKay will marry Julie--possibly leaving Pat for Leach, who, it is implied, was jealous of their relationship and had hoped to get Pat for himself.Adapted by Jessamyn West from the only Western novel written by Donald Hamilton (of Matt Helm fame), this is generally considered a classic of the genre as well as an epic film. William Wyler (who, with Peck, also co-produced) is one of the best-known directors of the post-War era. Though the pace is perhaps a bit slow, older kids and adults should quickly pick up on the thread of tension that runs through the entire movie, beginning with the introduction of Buck Hennessy and his confrontation with McKay and building inevitably to the final Jim/Buck and Terrell/Rufus showdowns. I personally would have thought it improved by at least a brief explanation of how the feud got started, and can't help wondering why Julie, who apparently was raised on Big Muddy by her grandfather Clem, didn't simply hire a good foreman and crew and continue to run it, as many Western heiresses--widows and daughters alike--are historically shown to have done. But it's the characters that make the story: McKay, who's determined to follow his own sense of right and wrong even when it earns him scorn and mockery from Buck and Leach and loss of faith from Pat; Rufus and Terrell, two strong men determined not to give an inch (several of Rufus's lines suggest he "came from better"); Buck, sneeringly played by "The Rifleman" Connors in a dark drooping mustache that makes him look positively sinister; Pat, pretty but clearly spoiled; Julie, darkly smooth and cool to Pat's fiery blondness; Leach, a strong, proud cowman who seems reluctant to come out with his feelings for the boss's daughter, notwithstanding that he's probably her natural match. Jerome Moross's score is as sweeping as the cinematography, which provides a true sense of the country's size. All in all, a movie well worth your time.
Rating:
Summary: Great Western
Review: While Peck and Heston are the stars and big names in the movie, its the performance by Burl Ives that i like best. He is very intense as an honest and put upon rancher at odds with a greedy, rich dictator of the land. Chuck Connors in a lesser role also creates a character one loves to hate. The DVD treatment while lean in the extras dept. (none actually) delivers in sound and picture quality. Great Western.
Rating: 
Summary: My favorite scene
Review: When the "Major" wants to rescue Jean Simmons and make war on the Hennesy's. "Leech" (Heston) says I can't back you on this Major and all the hands agree. When the Major starts to ride in alone, Leech jumps on his horse and catches up and gets as close as he can to support his boss. Then around the hills comes all the other hands. Heston's expression is priceless.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Westerns Ever Made!!
Review: If you ask me my favourite Gregory Peck movie, it would say to Kill a Mockingbird, but The Big Country and Guns of Navarrone have to rank up there closely. Each film show a new dimension of Peck's talent. For many years, he was overlooked at a true actor, more of a 'persona' like Kirk Douglas or Burt Lancaster, but he was a truly great actor, smart producer and able to pick vehicles that showcased him. The Big Country, is not a typical Western, though there are many stereotypical elements. Big ranches, hard-bitten men that carved the landscape by their will, beautiful ladies a man would fight for....yet it is much more. Brilliant acting from one powerhouse cast of Peck, the eternally gorgeous Jean Simmons, dynamic Burl Eves, Chuck Connors, Charleton Heston, Charles Bickford and Carol Baker, with a script that is smart, incisive, with heart and soul. It is sweeping, humorous and romantic, with Peck showing a man does not have to be macho, just comfortable with himself. Beautifully filmed, one of William Wyler's best. This movie does not date, just gets better with every viewing.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best movies ever made ....
Review: Good story, very good acting by a cast of fine actors.
Fantastic music score, great scenery, .... This is
one of the best movies ever made. Can't imagine anyone
thinking otherwise.
Rating:
Summary: This is a treat for the eyes and the head.
Review: .
Is this REALLY a western? A lot of the elements are there: huge prairies, water wars, men acting rugged... But the hero thinks differently, and so differently, that it seems more like an antiwar movie than a western. It's beautifully shot, and wonderfully presented in widescreen format.. The cast is a great Hollywood collection: Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Burl Ives, Charlton Heston, Chuck Connors (go Dodgers!), and the surrounding scenery is tremendous. The local characters exhibit little provincialisms which give you a sense of the isolation in the prairies, and the soundtrack is very Copland-esque. Pick this up WAY quick!
Rating:
Summary: Simply a great movie in every way.
Review: No need for a review. Go guy it.
Rating:
Summary: This is one of the greatest movies ever made
Review: This is one of the greatest movies ever made. I don't come on Amazon and waste my time unless I feel strong about something. This movie is one of the top movies ever made in the history of film. It's about life - hatred, jealousy, loyalty, honor, betrayal, friendship, and ...love, basically all of life is here. And it's here in an incredibly well written and well acted story, not like you are likely to ever see again.
Rating:
Summary: Best of the West
Review: This film brings back the excitement of the old way of making a
film and a western. The DVD transfer is excellent. The portrayals
exude excitement and the vast expanse it covers. As a western
film buff from way back, I am happy to see these classics transferred to DVD. Although I love the John Ford and John Sturges westerns, I would recommend this film to anyone. Even if
you are not a western fan, This DVD is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Big Country Review
Review: My favorite Western. Much better than the overhyped [junk] form John Wayne and director John Ford. Excellent acting(especially from Carol Baker and Charlton Heston in unsympathetic roles) and the best musical score before John William's Star Wars epics. The plot actually makes sense and actions derive from realistic behavior, a welcome change from most westerns.
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