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The Big Sky

Play trailer Poster for The Big Sky Released Aug 19, 1952 2h 2m Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
In 1830, two tough Kentucky mountaineers join a trading expedition from St. Louis up the Missouri River to trade whisky for furs with the Blackfoot Indians. They soon discover that there is much more than the elements to contend with. Based on the novel by AB Guthrie, Jr.
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The Big Sky

Critics Reviews

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Richard Brody New Yorker Howard Hawks's loose-limbed 1952 Western ... Nov 4, 2013 Full Review A.H. Weiler New York Times A saga as long as the day and as big as all outdoors. Rated: 4/5 May 20, 2003 Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Though this sublime 1952 black-and-white masterpiece by Howard Hawks is usually accorded a low place in the Hawks canon, it's a particular favorite of mine -- mysterious, beautiful, and even utopian. Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia A rather anodyne western that, despite having the atypical aesthetic of Hawks, advances at the rhythm of an empty stagecoach for two hours in which nothing exciting or significant happens. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 5/10 Apr 10, 2021 Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid This is a rousing, good-time adventure tale with two Hawksian buddies making their way through the untamed wild. Apr 3, 2009 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews This is not one of Hawks' great films, but it's one of his most visually satisfying. Rated: B Aug 11, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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John H Good adventure movie Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/12/24 Full Review Audience Member Good movie right here Kirk Douglas does a good job, James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas, July 7, 2023 Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/05/23 Full Review Audience Member I am a lifelong fan of kirk douglas, i really think this is one of his most underrated movies, the filming of the teton national park sceanery along with his strong acting performance makes this a top 10 must see Douglas movie it is my personal favorite. Howard hawks directed only improves the already strong book onto film. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review William L An old-school American frontier adventure film, The Big Sky isn't necessarily deep but it's got Kirk Douglas, plenty of on-location shooting, and Hawks' typical sensitivity for female and (to a more limited extent here) Native American characters; there's plenty of variety to the latter, but also a very Stepin Fetchit-esque comic relief in Worden's 'Poordevil'. Though well-shot at considerable effort, it's not necessarily the most exciting of films given that it is supposed to be a Western odyssey about exploration and perserverance. Plenty of talk about camaraderie and opportunity in the wide-open wilderness, enough conflict and development to keep the film going, decent piece of entertainment but not an all-time classic. Dewey Martin's hair gel must have been half the total budget, keeping that pompadour standing tall in the Western frontier. (3/5) Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/17/21 Full Review Audience Member It could have been so much better if it wasn't that long. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review steve d Ok western that is fairly forgettable. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Big Sky

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The Big Sky

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1830, two tough Kentucky mountaineers join a trading expedition from St. Louis up the Missouri River to trade whisky for furs with the Blackfoot Indians. They soon discover that there is much more than the elements to contend with. Based on the novel by AB Guthrie, Jr.
Director
Howard Hawks
Producer
Howard Hawks
Screenwriter
Dudley Nichols
Distributor
RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co
RKO Pictures
Genre
Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 19, 1952, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2009
Runtime
2h 2m
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