The Big Trees

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The Big Trees

Released Feb 5, 1952

1h 29m

Western

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3 Reviews

32%

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250+ Ratings

Corrupt Wisconsin lumberman Jim Fallon (Kirk Douglas) travels to Northern California at the dawn of the 20th century in order to gain control of a tract of redwood forest. Fallon's underhanded tactics stir resentment from everyone, including settler Elder Bixby (Charles Meredith) ; his beautiful daughter, Alicia (Eve Miller) ; Fallon's fair-minded employee, Yukon Burns (Edgar Buchanan) ; and his right-hand man, Frenchy LeCroix (John Archer) -- and his cheating ways create unlikely bedfellows.

Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

An unconvincing outdoor soap opera, with pseudospiritual overtones...

Oct 24, 2019

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David N. Butterworth

rec.arts.movies.reviews

Leading man Kirk Douglas has himself referred to "The Big Trees" as a bad movie. Bad is perhaps a little harsh, but just a little.

Rated: 2/4

Dec 21, 2015

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Kirk did the B-pic for almost free to void his contract with Warners.

Rated: C

Mar 16, 2010

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Georgan G

Lots of actors so young you might not recognize them. With KD playing a bad guy who turns good for love.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/06/25

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Jedediah B

Kirk Douglas leads a solid cast in this 1932 Western Picture. This movie is good but not great. If you enjoy westerns, big trees, trains, and old films you should give it a shot. There is even an explosion if that peaks your interest. Also there is a love story. Enjoy!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/29/24

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John M

The film is just a bit too lacklustre and dry to be anything more than mediocre. I wouldn't go so far as to call it bad, but, it's a country mile away from good.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/13/23

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Audience Member

This was a good watch James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas, May 5, 2023

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/07/23

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Audience Member

This remake of the original 1936 film reused an awful lot of the action footage from the older. All they did different is try to make Kirk Douglas the good guy.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

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Audience Member

I've always loved this movie, and now more than ever. You can't fault a movie fan for raving about Kirk Douglas playing a scoundrel and thief with a dash of devilish demeanor. This is the essence of Mr. Douglas. Of course, this movie posits that the great Redwoods are the living embodiment of God and that Man has no business destroying them especially for greed and avarice. Released in 1952, The Big Trees presaged the green revolution and environmental protectionism beginning some 30 years later which is more than intriguing. Edgar Buchanan shines in his role as an honest broker between Kirk and his prey who when he discovers just how rotten Kirk is, swears his intent on smiting Kirk and his money-grubbing army of lumberjacks. I won't divulge the ending but you can trust you'll like it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Felix E. Feist

Director

Kirk Douglas

Jim Fallon

Eve Miller

Alicia Chadwick

Patrice Wymore

Daisy Fisher

Edgar Buchanan

Walter "Yukon" Burns

John Archer

Frenchy LeCroix

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Synopsis

Corrupt Wisconsin lumberman Jim Fallon (Kirk Douglas) travels to Northern California at the dawn of the 20th century in order to gain control of a tract of redwood forest. Fallon's underhanded tactics stir resentment from everyone, including settler Elder Bixby (Charles Meredith) ; his beautiful daughter, Alicia (Eve Miller) ; Fallon's fair-minded employee, Yukon Burns (Edgar Buchanan) ; and his right-hand man, Frenchy LeCroix (John Archer) -- and his cheating ways create unlikely bedfellows.

Director: Felix E. Feist
Producer: Louis F. Edelman
Screenwriter: John Twist, James R. Webb
Production Co: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Genre: Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 5, 1952, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 1, 2016
Runtime: 1h 29m

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