Rotten Tomatoes

Movies / TV

    Celebrity

      No Results Found

       View All       Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

      The Big Trees

      Released Feb 5, 1952 1h 29m Western List
      Reviews 32% 250+ Ratings Audience Score 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. Read More Read Less

      Where to Watch

      The Big Trees

      Prime Video

      Rent The Big Trees on Prime Video, or buy it on Prime Video.

      Audience Reviews

      View All (20) audience reviews
      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 Full Review Audience Member This was a good watch James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas, May 5, 2023 Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/07/23 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Audience Member The film Kirk Douglas did for free to get his contact cancelled from Jack Warner from Warner Bros & it is surprisingly a good film. Filled with some stunning photography of the Redlands area in California & lush landscapes. The story of logging man & his unethical approach to business & his greed for more & more. The locations & the trees are the real draw card to this film. The film also contains quite a dramatic ending that wouldn't have been easy to stage...a must see Timer Drama.... Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Kirk Douglas took no salary in exchange for getting his release from his contract with Warners. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

      Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

      Photos

      View All The Big Trees photos

      The Big Trees

      The Big Trees (1952) The Big Trees (1952) The Big Trees (1952) The Big Trees (1952) The Big Trees (1952) The Big Trees (1952) View more photos

      Critics Reviews

      View All (3) Critics Reviews
      Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine An unconvincing outdoor soap opera, with pseudospiritual overtones... Oct 24, 2019 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      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
      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
      Most Popular at Home Now