Jerome Moross’ brilliant soundtrack
The Big Country Trailer
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FilmAffinity.com/ and Wikipedia.com
Reviews:
Internet Movie Database: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051411/
“I made over forty Westerns. I used to lie awake nights trying to think up new ways of getting on and off a horse.”
– William Wyler
Was Old Thunder Slim Picken’s rodeo horse? Was he the stunt man riding Old Thunder?
He’s in pictures with a similar colored horse.
Interesting question Lepke?
I coulda easily believe that tho. Lemme check … (Que ‘Checking Music’: … “Dum dee dum dum, dum dee dum dum …” etc … etc
OK, found this:
“Slim Pickens’ rodeo horse was named Little John, an Appaloosa. Pickens was a Hollywood actor and rodeo performer.” (Some also claim the horse was called Dear John. Not buying that.)
More: “Little John was known for bringing controlled mayhem. Pickens and Little John were known for performing stunts together, such as riding bareback and jumping a convertible during rodeo parades.” (Pickens was a natural born performer who loved his work.)
AHA! Found this: “According to actor Slim Pickens’ daughter, her father doubled Gregory Peck in the scene where Peck’s character was bucked off the horse. Pickens owned the horse and didn’t want anyone else riding it.” (Does not ID the horse as Little John, but it makes sense.)
For now Lepke that’s all I can tell ya. If I find anything more I’ll post it.
Take Care.
Just to point out an interesting fact about the famous line from “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” (Which could also be considered a Western to some people).
While the line is often misquoted as “Badges? We don’t need no stinking badges” As it is in “Blazing Saddles”, The actual line was “Badges? We ain’t got no badges. We don’t need no badges! I don’t have to show you any stinkin’ badges!”
Just a bit of totally useless trivia. I seem to have a lot of useless information.
It’s notable how a lot of quotes have seen some poetic license over the years. Due to greater accessibility in our modern age we might see less of that now. ???
Thank for that though.
And YES, I do think quite a few folks would consider “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” a Western. It has the flavor.
My favorite character in The Big Country was Ramone. He stole every scene from Gregory Peck. He was a great actor before the movie was released. He was in The Treasure Of Sierra Madre. He was the bandit leader whose most famous line was, “We don’t need no stinking badges.”
You’re right! he was an important character in that movie. Especially the scene where Peck rides Old Thunder. I didn’t recall that line from Treasures of the Sierra Madre. It’s a classic. Thanks.
This is a beautifully made movie. It obviously has a strong cast. I particularly like Chuck Conners as Burl Ives’ worthless son.
What really impressed me about the movie was the camera work and the cinematography. Wyler does a good job of capturing the vastness of the land and how the people are very tiny in comparison. Great music, as you mentioned, and great scenery. It reminded me of the way David Lean used the desert in Lawrence of Arabia.
Another Classic – great cast. Everybody fits perfectly. Another movie that might be a good re-make. But where do you find a Heston or a Peck? Or a Wyler for that matter.
The fiancé is annoying from the start. Which makes a captivating start. The horse riding and stunts that ensue are exceptional. The storyline is constantly interesting. The scene with “Old Thunder” is so stereotypical its almost ridiculous but works so well as natural sound is used, not packed full of music. The music in this film however, when it is used is superb. I just love this film and would rate it in my top 20 westerns.
Excellent comments – thank you.
Yeah, definitely a Classic – has all the ingredients: Great cast; excellent writing/dialogue; action … many great scenes. I’ve watched it many times.
My only beef is the ending confrontation between the two main protagonists – which I find to be bit weak – but everything else that builds up to it is marvelous.
Very attractive layout. All that I can remember about this movie I’v been watching a long time ago is the music, very beautiful.
did
Thank you again.
I’ve found that this Western ranks among many peoples favorites.
The music IS great.
Surely has a great cast and some powerful scenes.