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The Big Country
1958 167 min United States of America 0+
★8.3
Drama, Western, Romance
Director: William Wyler
Trailers
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Description
Retired wealthy sea captain Jim McKay arrives in the Old West, where he becomes embroiled in a feud between his future father-in-law, Major Terrill, and the rough and lawless Hannasseys over a valuable patch of land.
Worldwide:
$3.5M
Starring
Gregory Peck
Actor
Jean Simmons
Actor
Carroll Baker
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 1959
— Best Supporting Actor
Golden Globe 1959
— Best Supporting Actor
BAFTA 1960
— Best Picture
Academy Awards 1959
— Best Score for a Drama or Comedy
Key opinion
The Big Country is widely regarded as a visually stunning and character-driven Western that subverts genre tropes by prioritizing psychological depth and pacifism over traditional gunfighting. While most viewers praise its operatic scale and powerful performances, some critics find the three-hour runtime excessive and the narrative trajectory predictable.
| Acting | Burl Ives delivers a commanding, Oscar-winning performance as the ruthless yet complex family patriarch. | |
| Cinematography | Franz Planer's expansive cinematography and Jerome Moross's iconic score create an immersive, large-scale atmosphere. | |
| Acting | The centerpiece moonlit brawl between Gregory Peck and Charlton Heston stands out as a gritty, realistic highlight of the film. | |
| Direction | William Wyler’s direction successfully elevates a simple feud narrative into a compelling study of morality and courage. | |
| Runtime | The three-hour runtime and deliberate tempo provide an immersive epic experience for some, while others feel the story is unnecessarily stretched and slow. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is praised for its nuanced, non-violent protagonist, yet criticized by some for relying on predictable outcomes and minor narrative contrivances. |