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Big Jake

Play trailer Poster for Big Jake PG-13 Released May 26, 1971 1h 50m Western Play Trailer Watchlist
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75% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
The avenging head of the McCandle clan returns to his estranged family and leads the search for his kidnapped grandson. Big Jake sets off, his sons in tow, to deliver the ransom to the kidnappers, but has little intention of handing it over without a fight.
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Big Jake

Critics Reviews

View All (8) Critics Reviews
Michael McNay Guardian A mildly entertaining story of kidnap and ransom foiled by Big John that sags hopelessly when it comes to the big shoot-out. Jun 8, 2020 Full Review Margaret Hinxman Daily Telegraph (UK) Not only jolly exciting, it even manages to contrive a plot that keeps you guessing. Jun 8, 2020 Full Review David Elliott Chicago Daily News It's not great Wayne, in the tradition of Hondo or The Searchers, because neither the story nor the direction has any comparable flair... But at last it does move, an imperative asset in any decent Western. Oct 3, 2023 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy It flies in the face of Wayne's hypocritical statements at the time abhorring the new levels of sex and violence in American cinema. Rated: 2/4 May 30, 2021 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com A second rate Western, more interesting for its biographical elements, the film co-stars Wayne's own son as well as sons of Robert Mitchum and other friends, all getting the usual lessons in macho morality. Rated: C+ Nov 2, 2007 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Wayne gets little help from anyone else but Boone and can't pull off such a slight story line by his lonesome. Rated: B- Jan 6, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (399) audience reviews
Blu B A Western Classic. It's got elements of The Searchers & Rio Bravo mixed together for a old fashioned adventure across the West to save his grandson. And it's got all the Wayne hallmarks for mostly better. The music is excellent is super memroable, well used, and catchy. The acting is solid. Wayne here is doing his thing for better or worse and it works well because the direction is solid, the script is sound, and the execution is really well done. Bad guys are pretty good actually and the other three along the journey are actually kind of good. They didn't just blend in. Granted this is very lighthearted but also serious at times too. There isn't any serious drama between his sons and the fact he was gone so long out of their lives is treated more ligthhearted and comedic than anything serious but it works because the pacing here is fantastic. It never stops with action great vistas, awesome scores, and just keeps moving. The 1 hour 50 minutes fly by here. The editing is really well done too and so it the cinematography. There is gorgous shots in this and the action is really well done and memorable. It can feel a little bit during the downtime where it gives some backstory and setting up the kidnap exchange it gets a little complicated for no reason to just go back to old fashioned gun slinging. And no one really has that much depth. It's a typical Wayne Western if you've ever seen one you know what to expect kind of like a Rock or Segal flick. But it's done so well here and it's just a really good time. Anyone who is a fan of any actors here, the director, or westerns in general should check this out. I'd even say if your looking for a family western too possibly also even though there are some violent moments here. It's nothing compared to contemporary flicks from around this time like Peckinpah stuff though. It does have a comfort/wholesome feel to it that other Wayne movies don't nexcesarily have. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/30/25 Full Review John J. M Settle in with some popcorn, and enjoy and entertaining John Wayne Richard Boone western. Spoil alert the good guys win. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/22/24 Full Review Jelisije J Another standard western film from the great John Wayne that offers nothing spectacular, but nothing bad either. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/27/24 Full Review Jeff S Far from a cinematic masterpiece, but it's a really enjoyable movie. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/06/24 Full Review William S Hello world! Permit me to discuss how, Cyber Genie Hack Pro team assisted me in getting my forgotten crypto wallet access back. Losing access to my wallet was traumatizing and heartbreaking to my household because it was a joint wallet where I and my partner decided to save for the future instead of using all these ridiculous financial banks in the USA controlled by the Matrix.  Our precious crypto savings were on the verge of vanishing before our very before. If there is one thing I am forever grateful for in 2024 is my encounter with Cyber Genie's team. These guys didn't even let me explain my task fully, how they delved into getting solutions for me to access my crypto wallet back still wows me and my partner. There's no better way to start the new year than with the best tech team ensuring my family's data are safe on the internet. If you have any important query related to crypto funds recovery, don't hesitate to find them on:  WEB:  (https ://) cy bergeniehackpro (.) xyz/W/A:  +'1'2'5'2'5'1'2'0'3'9'1'TELLEGRAM: "cyb ergeniehackpro" Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/15/24 Full Review Jay M John Wayne playing John Wayne with a great cast including Richard Boone! The stand out of the movie is the era. The transition of horse to automotive and revolver/lever action to auto/bolt action. Great movie! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Big Jake

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Movie Info

Synopsis The avenging head of the McCandle clan returns to his estranged family and leads the search for his kidnapped grandson. Big Jake sets off, his sons in tow, to deliver the ransom to the kidnappers, but has little intention of handing it over without a fight.
Director
George Sherman
Producer
Michael Wayne
Screenwriter
Harry Julian Fink, Rita M. Fink
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Batjac Productions, Cinema Center Films
Rating
PG-13 (Western Violence)
Genre
Western
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 26, 1971, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 28, 2017
Runtime
1h 50m
Sound Mix
Mono
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