The Big Country is a 1958 American Western film directed by William Wyler. It stars Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker, Charlton Heston, Burl Ives, Charles Bickford, and Chuck Connors. Based on the novel by Donald Hamilton.
Ives won the Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor as well as the Golden Globe Award. The film was also nominated for an Academy Award for the musical score by Jerome Moross.
Reception
Ives won the Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor as well as the Golden Globe Award. The film was also nominated for an Academy Award for the musical score by Jerome Moross.
The main theme music was used in 2000 as the backing music to the Atomic Kitten song “I Want Your Love.”
Commentary on the Cold War
The Big Country came out during the Cold War and in the aftermath of the McCarthy hearings. The film depicts the two alternatives of diplomacy (taught by McKay) and brinksmanship and personal grudges leading to mutually assured destruction (Terrill and Hannessey). Moreover, The Big Country depicts McKay grudgingly earning the respect of others and of the audience. It is said that President Dwight D. Eisenhower showed the movie several times in the White House during his second administration.
Cast
- Gregory Peck James McKay
- Jean Simmons Julie Maragon
- Carroll Baker Patricia Terrill
- Charlton Heston Steve Leech
- Burl Ives Rufus Hannassey
- Charles Bickford Maj. Henry Terrill
- Alfonso Bedoya Ramón Guiteras
- Chuck Connors Buck Hannassey
