Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

The Big Country

Play trailer Poster for The Big Country 1958 2h 45m Western Romance Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 12 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.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

The Big Country

Critics Reviews

View More
Kevin Maher The Times (UK) 08/30/2022
4/5
The real star of the film, besides the gorgeous, soaring soundtrack, is Gregory Peck... Go to Full Review
Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 02/12/2022
4/4
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. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 08/10/2021
3.5/4
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. Go to Full Review
Mattie Lucas From the Front Row 06/03/2019
3.5/4
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. Go to Full Review
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 04/06/2012
B-
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. Go to Full Review
Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com 03/08/2008
4/5
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Per S Sep 1 Somewhat predictable and uneven, but generally great classic western. Still, Burl Ives' first approach is worth it all - probably what won him an Oscar. See more Will G @Kingofthepixies May 29 Great movie but watch it in widescreen. Charlton Heston and chuck Connors, what's not to like? BTW chuck Connors was underrated as a actor. His death scene is one of the best ever. See more Christopher O Dec 24 A must see for fans of classic westerns! Classic moral plot with a Wild West ending! See more Johnathon W @Hoppynsc 03/11/2024 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. See more Alec B 01/05/2024 Neither cynical nor naïve, the movie functions as an interesting repudiation of violence and the mid-20th Century masculine archetype. See more SICKS6SIX S 12/29/2023 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, See more Read all reviews
The Big Country

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

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
The Unforgiven 67% 59% The Unforgiven Watchlist Marty 96% 87% Marty Watchlist The Glory Guys 60% 38% The Glory Guys Watchlist Hour of the Gun 88% 53% Hour of the Gun Watchlist Elmer Gantry 94% 87% Elmer Gantry Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

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
Most Popular at Home Now