DVD Review: The Big Country (William Wyler, 1958)

When William Wyler’s epic western “The Big Country” was released, then President Dwight Eisenhower proclaimed it the greatest movie ever made. And it is, indeed, one of the finest films of its kind. “The Big Country” in all its epic glory has been released on blu ray by Kino Lorber with a host of interesting extras.

This family dynasty story regarding two groups who have been at odds due to a conflict between each patriarch, is given a new twist when a city man enters the territory with a more refined perspective of conflict. He comes to wed the woman from one family, having met her when she took a trip to the city, but ends up falling for another woman who has no connection to either family, save for the smitten offspring of one patriarch. There are conflicts regarding land, water rights, territory, romance, and personal vendettas abounding throughout a narrative that never becomes prolix and discursive and always remains clear and absorbing.

“The Big Country” was made during a period when an underlying cold war message was found in a lot of westerns, and some have considered this movie to be allegorical, with its own dollops of disquieting social commentary. The city man seeks peace between the two families by buying the property that is the basis of their conflict, and allowing either full permission to utilize its resources, which some call a veiled socialist solution.

Wyler’s vast use of the VistaVision process with his sweeping, magnificent establishing shots, adds great substance to the negative that surrounds the focal point of each shot. This is supported by outstanding performances by a remarkable cast of top drawer actors including Gregory Peck, Carroll Baker, Charles Bickford, Charlton Heston, Burl Ives, Chuck Conners, and Jean Simmons.

Heston is great in an uncharacteristic supporting role, which he almost didn’t take because he was, by now, a leading man. Director Wyler talked him into it, and he turns in one of his finest performances as a stoic, conflicted ranch hand. Heston would define his career the next year in Wyler’s screen version of “Ben Hur” (1959).

Carroll Baker, having established herself in Elia Kazan’s daring screen version of Tennessee Williams’ “Baby Doll” (1956) is a gaggle of emotions as the woman who is torn between her family’s anger and vengeance, and her city bred fiancée’s more reasoned approach to conflict.

Burl Ives, as one family patriarch, is angry and centered, delivering his lines with a flourish, and netting an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor (it would be the only time he’d be nominated).

Another performance that should be singled out is Chuck Connors, whom an entire generation always identifies as The Rifleman on television. Connors shines as a truly despicable character who terrorizes the school teacher played by Simmons, and ends up being killed by his own father.

However, not all of the actors has as smooth of an experience.

Charles Bickford did not like director Wyler’s penchant for multiple takes, and would stubbornly refuse to alter his performance in take after take. They had clashed as far back as 1929 on the film “Hell’s Heroes,” and this production was more of the same.

Jean Simmons was so befuddled by the constant script changes and need to re-memorize lines she already had mastered, she refused to discuss this film for decades afterward. Her performance is quite good despite these problems.

Gregory Peck, the film’s star, was also its co-producer along with William Wyler. While the two got along well during the filming of “Roman Holiday” (1953), they clashed repeatedly on this film, with Peck walking off the set on more than one occasion. At the end of the shoot, they vowed to never work together again. Even though they made up on a personal level a few years later, they kept their vow to never again work together.

These bits of background trivia are offered here to present that even under these circumstances, “The Big Country” came off quite well, with all of the ingredients for an effective epic western.

“The Big Country” blu ray includes many great extras, including brilliant, fascinating audio commentary by Sir Christopher Frayling, A 60 Minute Documentary on William Wyler, Interviews with star offspring Cecilia Peck, Carey Peck, Tony Peck, Fraser Heston, and Catherine Wyler, and other interesting special features.

This 60th anniversary blu ray is one of the best home video releases Kino Lorber has offered and is most highly recommended at every level.

The blu ray is available here.