The Big Country | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

100% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings

Retiring to the American West to marry his fiancée, Patricia Terrill (Carroll Baker), Captain James McKay (Gregory Peck) enters a land-and-water feud between his future father-in-law, Major Terrill (Charles Bickford), and the rough and lawless Hannassey family, led by Rufus (Burl Ives). McKay prefers peace between himself and the Hannasseys, who repeatedly attempt to provoke violence. But his steadfast demeanor only angers his fiancé and Major Terrill, who won't settle for truces.

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The Big Country

Critics Reviews

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The Big Country | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Kevin Maher Times (UK) The real star of the film, besides the gorgeous, soaring soundtrack, is Gregory Peck... Rated: 4/5 Aug 30, 2022 Full Review The Big Country | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review The Big Country suggests that, when faced with a resolute enemy, you can either keep fighting until one or both of you is dead, or you can recognize that violence solves nothing and stop yourself before it's too late. Rated: 4/4 Feb 12, 2022 Full Review The Big Country | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Matt Brunson Film Frenzy An excellent Western. Jerome Morris' score is one of the all-time greats, standing in the company of Elmer Bernstein's The Magnificent Seven theme and Ennio Morricone's Spaghetti Western contributions as the genre's best. Rated: 3.5/4 Aug 10, 2021 Full Review The Big Country | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Mattie Lucas From the Front Row Wyler showcases our own big country by demonstrating just how very small we are in comparison, the violent struggles of a few mere blips on the face of the sprawling landscape. Rated: 3.5/4 Jun 3, 2019 Full Review The Big Country | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Burl Ives won the Supporting Actor Oscar for playing a patriarch in William Wyler's sprawling, overlong Western, though the award also might have been given to him for similar part in Cat on Hot Tin Roof. Rated: B- Apr 6, 2012 Full Review The Big Country | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Rated: 4/5 Mar 8, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Johnathon W Western epic that remains one of the best ever produced, thanks to a top notch cast and superb direction. The actors are excellent across the board, with Gregory Peck giving his usual superb leading performance as James McKay, a quietly strong man who looks to avoid a fight but is quite able to finish one. He is matched across the board by a brilliant ensemble, especially Burl Ives as Rufus Hannasey, the head of his ranching clan. Behind the camera, director William Wyler crafts an epic western that examines the true meaning of courage and manhood. It is matched by sweeping shots of the western from the canyon to the plains (which are used effectively in the brilliant fight between Peck and Charlton Heston). All in all, a classic western by every measure. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/11/24 Full Review Alec B Neither cynical nor naïve, the movie functions as an interesting repudiation of violence and the mid-20th Century masculine archetype. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/05/24 Full Review SICKS6SIX S the benchmark of all Western films, Peck almost plays Atticus from to kill a Mockingbird in this epic Western, its got everything you want from a Western, the scenery is stunning as is the soundtrack,the script and plot keeps you watching, it never hots a dulll spot and keeps your attention, watch enjoyand learn how to make a great film, today's excuses for directors could learn everything they need to know by watching this film and forget the stupid new-age way of making films that have failed the viewer terribly. bad guys look bad dirty and nasty, good guys look good clean and wholesome, Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/29/23 Full Review Cesar Z One of the best movies ever. The direction, the actors' performances, the photography, the music, the script, in short, everything is perfect in this brilliant and remarkable film. Film to be seen and reviewed countless times. A cinema lesson. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/26/23 Full Review Carlos I This movie has one of the best fight scenes I've ever seen. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/01/23 Full Review Scott H A good basic story but wayyyy too long. Beautifully shot. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/06/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

William Wyler Director Gregory Peck James McKay Jean Simmons Julie Maragon Carroll Baker Patricia Terrill Charlton Heston Steve Leech Burl Ives Rufus Hannassey
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The Big Country

The Big Country: Official Clip - A Cowardly End The Big Country: Official Clip - A Cowardly End 2:13 The Big Country: Official Clip - Shall I Go On? The Big Country: Official Clip - Shall I Go On? 2:11 The Big Country: Official Clip - A Rare Man The Big Country: Official Clip - A Rare Man 2:06 The Big Country: Official Clip - Jim Duels Buck The Big Country: Official Clip - Jim Duels Buck 2:06 The Big Country: Official Clip - Harassing Jim and Pat The Big Country: Official Clip - Harassing Jim and Pat 2:13 The Big Country: Official Clip - Steve Manhandles Pat The Big Country: Official Clip - Steve Manhandles Pat 1:07 The Big Country: Official Clip - Rufus Crashes the Party The Big Country: Official Clip - Rufus Crashes the Party 2:12 The Big Country: Official Clip - Fighting Words The Big Country: Official Clip - Fighting Words 2:07 The Big Country: Official Clip - Hunting the Hannasseys The Big Country: Official Clip - Hunting the Hannasseys 2:13 The Big Country: Official Clip - Riding Old Thunder The Big Country: Official Clip - Riding Old Thunder 2:13 View more videos

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The Big Country

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Synopsis Retiring to the American West to marry his fiancée, Patricia Terrill (Carroll Baker), Captain James McKay (Gregory Peck) enters a land-and-water feud between his future father-in-law, Major Terrill (Charles Bickford), and the rough and lawless Hannassey family, led by Rufus (Burl Ives). McKay prefers peace between himself and the Hannasseys, who repeatedly attempt to provoke violence. But his steadfast demeanor only angers his fiancé and Major Terrill, who won't settle for truces.

Director
William Wyler

Producer
Gregory Peck, William Wyler

Screenwriter
James R. Webb, Sy Bartlett, Robert Wilder

Distributor
United Artists

Production Co
United Artists

Genre
Western, Romance, Drama

Original Language
English

Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 1, 1958, Original

Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 16, 2008

Runtime
2h 45m
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The Big Country | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

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