The Big Country (1958)

VHS COVER/SIDE

Length of film:  166 Minutes

Rated: Approved   

Genre: Romance, Western

Director: William Wyler

Starring: Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker, Charlton Heston, Burl Ives, Charles Bickford, Alfonso Bedoya, Chuck Connors

IMDB Rank: 7.9/10

Part 1 Time:  84 Minutes

Part 2 Time:   82 Minutes

*** There is no clear intermission point (a point where it fades to black). Many scene transitions are either quick or include music which presents a somewhat choppy intermission.

Where does the first part end?  Julie Morgan (Jean Simmons) and James Mckay (Gregory Peck) finish their conversation at the Big Muddy and ride off. The scene following shows Patricia Terrill (Carroll Baker) standing on her patio, wondering about James McKay (no dialogue is present).

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Let’s head back to the cottage and draw up the paper, before I change my mind” Julie Morgan speaks to James Mckay.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “I don’t know where else to look?” Steve Leech (Charlton Heston) speaks to another hired hand, both men are looking James McKay.  

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, the feud between the Terrill’s and Hannassey’s over cattle watering rights at the Big Muddy have brought both sides to ruthlessly fight with one another. Julie Morgan is pressured to sell this land, but refuses to sell to both the Terrill’s and Hannassey’s. Will James Mckay’s offer to buy the land settle this feud once and for all? Will James Mckay be able to find his way back to legalize the land transfer?

Which part is better? The second part is better as we are able to not only see the final confrontation between the Terrill’s and Hannassey’s but also appreciate James Mckay’s shrewdness towards both sides.

Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor (Burl Ives), Best Music-Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture (Nominated),