The Big Country

Director: William Wyler

Stars: Gregory Peck, Charlton Heston, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker, Burl Ives

Year: 1958 Running Time: 165 mins Rating:

CERT: PG

Showing times

Date	Time	Sky Movie Channel	Remote record

Epic western with Gregory Peck getting caught up in a land battle after marrying wealthy cattleman's daughter Carroll Baker. There's melodrama as far as the eye can see, with Charlton Heston chewing scenery as a volatile ranch foreman, Charles Bickford on ruthless form as Peck's adversary and Burl Ives bagging himself an Oscar as their level-headed neighbour. Chuck Connors emerges as the most despicable villain of the piece after trying to force himself on land heiress Jean Simmons. It's no place for a lady.

Review

This big-scale Western, about an ex-sea captain (Gregory Peck) who travels West to claim his bride, makes the most of its huge budget and five months of filming. Jean Simmons is outstanding as a teacher caught in the centre of a land dispute, between two embittered old ranchers, played to the hilt by Burl Ives and Charles Bickford.