The Big Country
Seen it?1958 | 167 min | Drama, Western, Romance
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won an Oscar and it's still drawing plenty of interest, despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics. If you loved Brokeback Mountain or The Power of the Dog, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Unhurried and epic, at 2 hr 47 min.
- What might put you off
- It's long: 2 hr 47 min.
- Made in 1958: an older pace and style.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.6 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor. Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture. Also nominated for 1 more Oscar, 1 BAFTA and 1 DGA Award. Plus 1 other award.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$4 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 170K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Brokeback Mountain
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed Wild West drama.
The Power of the Dog Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed Wild West drama.
The Revenant Friday Night FlickAnother Wild West ern, and a Friday Night Flick.
Appaloosa
Sunday Safe BetAnother Wild West drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Deadwood: The Movie Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed Wild West ern.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by William Wyler
- Gregory PeckJames McKay
- Jean SimmonsJulie Maragon
- Carroll BakerPatricia Terrill
- Charlton HestonSteve Leech
- Burl IvesRufus Hannassey
- Charles BickfordMajor Henry Terrill
- Alfonso BedoyaRamón Guiteras
- Chuck ConnorsBuck Hannassey
- Chuck HaywardRafe Hannassey
- Buff BradyDude Hannassey