Review of The Big Country (1958) by Richard C — 31 Dec 2012

Despite the visually brilliant cinematography and likable cast including the legendary Gregory Peck, Charlton Heston and an Oscar-winning Burl Ives, The Big Country disappoints based on its stance as a somewhat mediocre version of the much-superior Giant, which it appears the film is trying to emulate.

It is an ok film but given its reputation, it ultimately ends up as a relatively overrated picture that focuses too much on character instead of substance, is overlong by half an hour and comes across as a weakened attempt to be something of an epic scale.

It is a watchable effort but ultimately, there are very few scenes that maintain a depth of memorability and fascination that virtually deem the film to a somewhat reluctant thumbs down.