http://calitreview.com/45 An arts and culture magazine. Wed, 23 May 2012 14:35:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://calitreview.com/45/comment-page-1#comment-453 anonymous Mon, 28 May 2007 00:25:54 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-big-country-how-the-west-finally-won/#comment-453 Right on. There are no more stars and men like Gregory peck. Right on. There are no more stars and men like Gregory peck.

]]> http://calitreview.com/45/comment-page-1#comment-452 Robert G. Williams Mon, 28 May 2007 00:24:29 +0000 http://calitreview.com//essays/the-big-country-how-the-west-finally-won/#comment-452 Ms. Teele is absolutely on the money with her assessment of "The Big Country". I feel it is a jewel in the western movie genre, long overlooked and needing some dusting off and polishing to help see what lies under the big name! Gregory Peck was at his best in this film and Charleton Heston who was the hottest star in Hollywood at the time this film was made, did it because he wanted to work with director Williams Wyler, taking a supporting role instead of jostling for the lead. (I think he knew he couldn't pull off the McKay character.) The movie isn't a classic, but it is in my top 10 favorite westerns. The character of Jim McKay is underestimated just like the land in which the story takes place. McKay brings a different kind of strength and integrity to the mix which is interesting to watch as he confounds everyone around him. His character is strong enough to make everyone whose life he touches examine the long accepted status quo and understand that things must change. It is inspiring to watch, expertly directed, superbly cast, beautifully photographed and edited into a tale that needed to be told about the American west. Ms. Teele is absolutely on the money with her assessment of “The Big Country”. I feel it is a jewel in the western movie genre, long overlooked and needing some dusting off and polishing to help see what lies under the big name! Gregory Peck was at his best in this film and Charleton Heston who was the hottest star in Hollywood at the time this film was made, did it because he wanted to work with director Williams Wyler, taking a supporting role instead of jostling for the lead. (I think he knew he couldn’t pull off the McKay character.) The movie isn’t a classic, but it is in my top 10 favorite westerns. The character of Jim McKay is underestimated just like the land in which the story takes place. McKay brings a different kind of strength and integrity to the mix which is interesting to watch as he confounds everyone around him. His character is strong enough to make everyone whose life he touches examine the long accepted status quo and understand that things must change. It is inspiring to watch, expertly directed, superbly cast, beautifully photographed and edited into a tale that needed to be told about the American west.

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