The Big Country - Blanco Canyon Sequence

This happens to be one of my all-time favorite sequences from a classic 50s western. For drama, scope, and story theme, few best it. Plus, it is set to a stirring score by Jerome Moross. My friend and film blogger Livius covers it best though:

"I've already mentioned William Wyler's masterful use of the wide lens, but it's to be seen all the way through the film. The whole thing is a visual delight that takes in both the sprawling prairie vistas and the blanched rocks of the canyon between Terrill's ranch and the Hannassey's place. Blanco Canyon is the setting for the scene that, for me at least, is just about the finest in the picture. The Major has decided that a showdown with the Hannassey's is unavoidable and sets off to finish things for good. When it becomes apparent that he and his men will be riding into an ambush, the Major turns to Steve for support. However, this man has had his bellyful of mindless violence and says so. The Major rides off alone to meet whatever fate awaits him. Steve has looked on this man as a surrogate father all his life and you can see the anguish etched into his features as he watches him depart. He mounts up, and the camera moves to the mouth of the canyon and the lone figure of the Major. As Jerome Moross' spine-tingling score slowly builds the angle shifts slightly and Steve gallops into view, drawing level with the Major he looks back to see the rest of the ranch hands come one by one round the rim of the canyon. There's not a word exchanged between Heston or Bickford but the flickering glances and quickly concealed smiles speak volumes. To me this is cinema at its purest, where visuals, score and subtle expression tell the viewers all they need to know about the nature of a relationship, and in this case what masculinity is about - the importance of loyalty, affection and sheer guts even when good sense should dictate otherwise."

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• film
• The Big Country
• Blanco Canyon

[matchingnumbers]

Its impossible to make a movie like this these days.

[lemaxmas]

@chettmansberger Thanks very much "chettmansburger". I do wonder what people thought of the film when it came out and how many people get the real message. Wyler was pretty subtle about a lot of it, especially with his use of the long shots.

Ironically it was a bit of difficult set/ Wyler and Peck were never quite happy with the script and these two collaborators ended up having a bad argument & they never worked together again.

BTW, "...Dr. Lao" is one of my top ten favs. I love George Pal. :)

[JubalCalif]

@Publicity4you

My sentiments EXACLTY! Everyone was perfect in their role, for my money! And as you pointed out so astutely, the cast was made up of REAL actors who tried their best to bring their roles to life. Love this movie & it's rousing musical score! You obviously have GOOD taste! :-)

[JubalCalif]

@matchingnumbers

You make a good point! If producers did try to remake it today, they'd load it up with so much graphic sex, violence & profanity that it would negate any positive aspects left over from the original !!!

[Sumoto999]

Now that's loyalty. Movies like this are not made anymore cuz their to American for modern day Hollywood...

[Publicity4you]

This was not only one of my Favorite Westerns... It was one of My Favorite Movies....Burl Ives nailed his Role.....THESE WERE REAL ACTORS.......not jus a bunch of pretty faces like today

[santurrones1]

Que gran escena del cine!!! , y la musica impresionante!!!!!!!!

[kezadrone]

Here's something you may not know. At 3:07 Theme later reworked for Ray Harryhausen's The valley Gwangi movie by the same composer.

[RichardHell1959]

Was there ever a more handsome on-screen couple than Jean Simmons and Gregory Peck ? 

[maimzini]

Watch Heston after he rides in to join the Major. He's very careful to ride just behind (3:00), watching each man's mount to keep back by roughly a horse's head. As the other men ride in, watch again as Heston looks at the Major (3:29) with a grudging respect while perhaps choking on a little crow, realizing that the Major's valor wins, even though Heston's logic was correct. Kinda underlines Wyler's subtle anti-Cold War message: Sure we'll annihilate each other, but we'll do it with honor!

[RRAMJET82]

FOR THOSE WHO WANT A WESTERN CLASSIC THIS IS THE ONE.A

FAVORITE FOR ALL TIME!