SeaPilot I feel if you are an admirer of old classic American films this should be on the list. From the plots, dialogue, cast and filming this movie is hard to beat. Looking at all the Oscar nominees for 1958 it is my belief that this movie should have won more. Charleton Heston and Jean Simmons gave exceptional performances. Gregory Peck also was excellent. The entire cast could not be duplicated just like trying to remake the "Magnificent Seven". The bar was set too high. The music is epic and equal to the Grand Canyon Suite. I don't give out "10" easily but I lean towards it on this movie. Made in the late 50's this is amazing what Hollywood could do back then without all the HD CG of todays movies. This is a "pure" film.

jf-90133 Certainly one of the best western movies ever. I won't add to the spoilers (there have been enough of those already). But I will add that the original book of the same name by author Donald Hamilton is a must-have... it's just as good and is in fact different by a bit - enough to make it a great read and fill in more background details such as the backstory about the dueling pistols. The book is out of print, so you'll have to find a copy and it will not be cheap. Look for about $30 for a paperback copy. As you'll see, it's well worth every cent.

elvircorhodzic THE BIG COUNTRY is a pretty ambitious romantic western that symbolizing independence, freedom and peacefulness in the Wild West. Of course, before the final comprehension, the film was filled with quarrels, open conflicts and killings.One notable sailor from Maryland comes to Texas to start a new life. He is in love with the daughter of a wealthy rancher. However, he realizes that his future father in law has been involved in extremely violent and dirty conflicts with neighboring rancher. A combative father and violent environment adversely affects his fiancée. The stranger will try to change the people and the atmosphere in the Wild West...The film begins with the arrival of a peacemaker and ends with extremely tense duels. Periods of fierce quarrel, conflict, fist fighting and unconvincing romance are arranged in between. An extremely warlike story sends a message of peace and understanding in the end. Ethical contrary are too pronounced, even for a western.Open landscapes are truly impressive. The verbal construction of plots is at a high level also. The soundtrack is excellent.Gregory Peck as James McKay is the epitome of calm and reason in this movie. His character is unobtrusive, but in critical situations, he did not show strong emotions. His character is actually calculated. Charlton Heston as Steve Leech is a completely different character than James. He honestly shows jealousy and malice through strong internal conflict.Burl Ives as Rufus Hannassey is an old fox, who has a strange sense of justice. That justice involves a gun and shot. Charles Bickford as Maj. Henry Terrill is a greedy old man, who wants absolute power over the land. Hatred can really blind a man. The major is a strong character and a leading antagonist. Violence always generates more violence.Jean Simmons as Julie Maragon is a modest teacher and owner of a large and rich ranch at the same time. She is the cause of a conflict. One very brave and beautiful woman was given precedence over the land. Carroll Baker as Patricia Terrill is daddy's little girl, who is torn between love and lifestyle.Mr. Wyler has tried to deconstruct the classic western story. However, violence and conflicts are too exciting in this film.

poe426 I've always liked Gregory Peck, and I think he's great here, but it's Charlton Heston's nuanced performance that prompts these comments. I've stated elsewhere (in my comments for TREASURE ISLAND, for instance) that Charlton Heston was more than capable of playing a believable Bad Guy and that he could've made a career out of doing just that had he so chosen; and one of his finest turns came in THE BIG COUNTRY. Shakespearean in scope, THE BIG COUNTRY features Heston as the ranch foreman Steve Leech. It's a nuanced performance, with Leech at first coming off as little more than a hard-driving b****** with a thing for the woman who would become Peck's girl- but the character goes through a very dramatic change that showcases Heston's range: the "Bad" Guy morphs into a Not So Bad Guy After All. The times Heston impresses on screen are about as numerous as the films he starred in (or even co-starred in, or had what amounted to a bit part in). The man was a consummate professional and it's always a pleasure to watch him work. There'll never be another like him.